Characterization and abundance of microplastics in coastal water pools: Composition, morphology, and environmental implications

Abstract

Background: Microplastic pollution has become a global problem which needs to be bewared of. Microplastics were distributed in various marine environments around the world, one of which is in the water column. Findings: The consumed microplastics by marine organism will reduce the intake of nutrients that should be obtained from food. The purpose of this study are (1) To identify microplastics that existed in water column, (2) To calculate microplastics abundance in the water column, (3) To know the types of microplastic polymers in the watercolumn. Methods: This study used purposive sampling method as the research method in determining the study’s sampling point. The observation of microplastics in seawater was performed by visual identification method using the Stereomicroscope Euromax SB 1902. Plastic polymer analysis used FTIR Shimadzu Prestige-21 and reading polymer results used Open Specy. Statistical analysis used Oneway Anova test and T test using SPSS software. Conclusion: This study found microplastics in the Parepare’s waters. The microplastics found in the Parepare’s waters have the same characteristics in terms of color and shape. The color of the microplastic that dominates was blue and the shape of the microplastic that dominates was fiber, and for the size of microplastics were grouped into 4 sizes found at high tide and low tide, which were: <0.5 mm; 0.5-<1.0mm; 1.0-<2.5mm; and 2.5-5 mm. The highest average abundance microplastics at high and low tides was found in Lumpue waters at high tide in 8.34 Item/m3 and at low tide in 6.12 Item/m3. The types of polymers obtained are; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Novelty/Originality of this article: Microplastics in water pools pose a hidden environmental and health risk, as these tiny particles can accumulate from various sources and may carry harmful toxins, affecting both water quality and swimmers