Papers

Water pollution and sanitation in Indonesia: a review on water quality, health and environmental impacts, management, and future challenges

Many water sources across Indonesia are contaminated with heavy metals, microplastics, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and existing treatment plants fail to fully remove them. Inadequate sanitation has been linked to maternal health complications, childhood stunting, and increased diarrheal disease incidence.

Polystyrene microplastic particles in the food chain: Characteristics and toxicity - A review

This review covers how polystyrene microplastics move through the food chain, from water and soil into animals and ultimately humans. Accumulation in organs leads to a range of harmful effects including weight loss, lung disease, brain toxicity, and oxidative stress. The paper highlights that these tiny plastic particles are particularly dangerous because they can cross biological barriers and carry other toxic chemicals with them.

Chlorination disinfection by-products in Southeast Asia: A review on potential precursor, formation, toxicity assessment, and removal technologies

This review examines disinfection by-products formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in Southeast Asian water sources, covering their formation, toxicity, and removal methods. Researchers found that both natural organic matter and human-derived pollutants contribute to the formation of potentially harmful by-products during water treatment. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment technologies in the region's drinking water systems.

Elimination of Microplastics at Different Stages in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Researchers compared three wastewater treatment plants to evaluate how effectively different treatment stages remove microplastics. The study found that biological treatment using activated carbon-coated filter plates achieved the highest removal rate at over 91%, while advanced processes like coagulation and disc filtration further improved results. These findings highlight that the choice of treatment technology significantly affects how much microplastic pollution ends up being discharged into the environment.

Discovering untapped microbial communities through metagenomics for microplastic remediation: recent advances, challenges, and way forward

This review explores how metagenomic approaches are uncovering microbial communities capable of degrading microplastics in various environments. Researchers found that diverse bacteria and fungi in soil, water, and waste systems produce enzymes that can break down plastic polymers, though degradation rates remain slow. The study highlights metagenomics as a powerful tool for discovering new biological solutions to microplastic pollution.

Migration of microplastics from plastic packaging into foods and its potential threats on human health

This review examined how microplastics migrate from plastic food packaging into the foods we eat. Researchers found that factors like temperature, food acidity, and contact time increase the release of plastic particles and chemical additives from packaging materials. The study raises concerns about long-term health effects from daily microplastic exposure through packaged foods, including potential accumulation of harmful monomers in the body.

Bioactive Compound and Functional Properties of Sea Cucumbers as Nutraceutical Products

This review examines the nutritional and bioactive compounds found in sea cucumbers, including proteins, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While not directly about microplastics, sea cucumbers are bottom-dwelling filter feeders that are highly exposed to microplastic contamination in ocean sediments. As sea cucumbers are increasingly used in supplements and food products, their potential to accumulate microplastics raises concerns about another route of human exposure.

Microplastic occurrence in sub-surface waters of the Indonesian archipelago

This pioneering study measured microplastic contamination in sub-surface ocean waters across the Indonesian archipelago, finding particles at 5 meters depth at all sampling sites. The highest concentrations were found near Ambon, likely due to slower water circulation trapping pollutants, while areas with faster currents had lower levels despite higher nearby populations. The findings show that microplastics are not just a surface water problem but penetrate deeper into ocean waters where many fish species feed, potentially entering the seafood supply.

Phytoremediation Mechanism for Emerging Pollutants : A Review

This review covers how plants can be used to clean up emerging pollutants, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care product chemicals from contaminated soil and water. Plants absorb these pollutants through their roots and either break them down or store them in their tissues. Phytoremediation offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategy for addressing the growing problem of emerging contaminants in the environment.

Microplastic Pollution in Terrestrial Systems: Sources and Implications for Soil Functioning and Plant Performance

Creation of an international laboratory network towards global microplastics monitoring harmonisation

International programs established a network of microplastics research laboratories across Global South countries, providing standardized equipment, training, and protocols. This effort aims to build local scientific capacity and ensure that microplastic monitoring data from different regions can be meaningfully compared, which is essential for understanding the true global scale of plastic pollution.

Development of a polystyrene-based microplastic model for bioaccumulation and biodistribution study using radiotracing and nuclear analysis method

Researchers developed a radiolabeled polystyrene microplastic model to track how microplastics move through and accumulate in living organisms. The study suggests that using radioactive tracers like iodine-131 allows for real-time, sensitive monitoring of microplastic behavior in biological systems, offering a more efficient alternative to conventional tracking methods.

Abundance and characterization of microplastic pollution in the wildlife reserve, Ramsar site, recreational areas, and national park in northern Jakarta and Kepulauan Seribu, Indonesia

This is the first study to measure microplastic pollution in sediments across protected areas near Jakarta, Indonesia, including a wildlife reserve, a Ramsar wetland site, and a marine national park. Microplastics were found at all locations, with higher concentrations closer to human activity and during the dry season. The results suggest that even designated conservation areas are not spared from microplastic contamination.

Potential Impact Microplastic Polyethylene Terephthalate on Mice

Researchers studied how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics affect mice when ingested, tracking where the particles end up in the body. They found that microplastics accumulated in various organs and caused measurable biological effects. The study adds to growing evidence that common plastic types found in food packaging may pose health risks when consumed.

Iodine-131 radiolabeled polyvinylchloride: A potential radiotracer for micro and nanoplastics bioaccumulation and biodistribution study in organisms

Researchers developed a method to radiolabel polyvinyl chloride with iodine-131 for use as a radiotracer to study microplastic bioaccumulation and biodistribution in organisms. The study demonstrated successful preparation of radiolabeled PVC particles, offering a highly sensitive nuclear technique for tracking the fate of micro- and nanoplastics in biological systems.

Specimen collection is essential for modern science

This commentary argues that collecting physical specimens of animals and plants remains essential for scientific research, despite growing interest in non-lethal alternatives like photography and DNA sampling. Researchers highlight that preserved specimens provide irreplaceable data for taxonomy, evolutionary studies, and environmental monitoring, including tracking chemical contaminant levels over time. The piece emphasizes that responsible specimen collection is a cornerstone of natural history research.

Identification and Quantification of Microplastics Contamination in Potato from Malang Raya, Indonesia

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across potato farming in Indonesia, testing seedlings, soil, fertilizer, irrigation water, and harvested potatoes. They found a total of 104 microplastic particles across all farm components, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The study suggests that microplastics can enter the food chain through agricultural production, raising concerns about contamination in staple crops.

Microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and fish from the Kahayan River, Indonesia

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and fish from the Kahayan River in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. They found microplastics present across all sample types, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms, and identified polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study provides the first baseline data on microplastic pollution in this region and highlights the widespread nature of contamination in Indonesian freshwater systems.

Analysis of Modifiable, Non-Modifiable, and Physiological Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in Indonesia: Evidence from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research

This study analyzed modifiable, non-modifiable, and physiological risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Indonesia using national health survey data. The findings suggest that these risk factors have a significant influence on non-communicable disease prevalence, providing evidence that could inform cross-sector health promotion and early detection strategies.

Assessment of microplastic characterization and distribution from surface water and the seabed in the Flores Sea, Indonesia

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the surface water and seabed of the Flores Sea in Indonesia, a key part of the ocean current system linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They found microplastic contamination at all sampling sites, with fibers being the most common type and polyethylene the dominant polymer. The study matters because ocean currents in this region can carry microplastics across vast marine ecosystems far from their source.

Microplastics leaving a trace in mangrove sediments ever since they were first manufactured: A study from Indonesia mangroves

Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Indonesian mangroves and found microplastics present throughout the historical record dating back to when plastics were first manufactured. Mangrove sediments near areas with high human activity contained significantly more microplastic contamination than those in more remote locations. The study suggests that mangrove environments have been trapping and preserving a record of plastic pollution for decades, making them useful for tracking contamination over time.

Occurrence of Microplastics in Drinking Water in South East Asia: A Short Review

This review examines the levels and sources of microplastics found in drinking water across Southeast Asia, a region home to many of the world's most plastic-polluted rivers. Researchers found microplastics present in tap water, bottled water, and treated water throughout the region, with potential health concerns including inflammation and cellular damage from long-term ingestion. The study highlights the urgent need for improved water treatment methods and stronger regulatory frameworks to address microplastic contamination in drinking water supplies.

Microplastic accumulation in respiratory and digestive systems of selected fish from Banten Bay, Indonesia

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in seven fish species from Banten Bay, Indonesia, and found microplastics in every fish sampled. Concentrations were significantly higher in gills than in the digestive tract, and nine distinct polymer types were identified including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. The findings highlight how microplastics in fish can enter the food chain, with potential implications for both aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Water Pollution of Some Major Riversin Indonesia: The Status, Institution, Regulation,and Recommendation for Its Mitigation

This review examines water pollution in four major Indonesian rivers, analyzing the status of contamination, institutional frameworks, and regulatory responses. Researchers found that rapid population growth and industrialization have left only 73% of Indonesians with access to safe water, with heavy metals, organic pollutants, and plastic waste among the key contaminants. The study recommends integrated approaches combining stronger enforcement, community engagement, and improved waste management to mitigate river pollution.