The Occurrence of Microplastic in Suckermouth Armored Catfish in Krukut River, Jakarta, Indonesia

Microplastic may pose a threat to aquatic organism due its small size that could potentiallybe ingested by aquatic organisms. This research was carried out in the Krukut River which ismain water source of Cilandak Water Treatment Plant in Jakarta, the capital city ofIndonesia. This research aimed to determine the occurrence of microplastic in digestive tractof Krukur River’s suckermouth armored catfish (Pterygoplichthyspardalis). Krukut River wasdivided into 3 segments for sampling, i.e. upstream (Jagakarsa), midstream (Kemang), anddownstream (Setiabudi). The microplastic were occurred in 100% suckermouth armoredcatfish samples, increased from upstream to downstream. The average microplastic ingestedby suckermouth armored catfish was 61 ± 8.672 items/individual in the upstream, 106.833 ±6.55 items/individual in the midstream and 137.5 ± 23.805 items/individual in downstream.In each segment of the Krukut River, fibre and pellet was the most microplastic type found insuckermouth armored catfish. In downstream, composition of microplastic was 48.53 ± 5.231% of fibre, 46.952 ± 6.168 % of pellet, 2.11 ± 0.682 % of fragment, and 2.11 ± 0.682 % offilm. Occurrence of microplastic in water and sediment as well as the dominant urban landuse near the Krukut River were correlated with the microplastic ingested by suckermoutharmored catfish. Nonetheless, the microplastic ingested by suckermouth armored catfish inKrukut River did not affect negatively on suckermouth armored catfish’s physical growth (b)and wellbeing (K). All findings suggest there should be a further research to investigate theoccurrence of microplastic in drinking water produced by Cilandak WTP, observation aboutthe source, fate, and transport microplastic in Krukut River and microplastic exposure tohuman through food chain.