STUDY OF MICROPLASTIC ABUNDANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS IN THE WATERS AND SEDIMENT OF KARAWANG-BEKASI REGENCY DURING THE WEST MONSOON SEASON

• Main Author: Nur Rafida, Dzakiyya
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85221
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The coastal areas of Karawang and Bekasi districts are characterized by anthropogenic activities originating from urban activities, such as fishing, commerce, and tourism. In the western season, high rainfall and river discharge encourage the entry of microplastics into the sea. The high level of human activity and the presence of river estuaries found in this region increase the potential for microplastic pollution which has a negative impact on both the environment and humans themselves. This study aims to determine and compare the abundance and characteristics of microplastics present in surface seawater and coastal sediments in the two districts. Samples were taken at 7 beaches representing different activities, including Pasir Putih Cilamaya Beach as a densely populated industrial area, Karawang and Bekasi Mangrove Ecotourism as a mangrove area, Samudera Baru Beach as a densely populated area, Tanjung Pakis Beach and Sedari Beach as tourism areas, and Muara Bungin Beach as a sparsely populated area in February 2024 or in the west season during low tide conditions. Seawater samples were taken using a plankton net while sediment samples were taken using a metal shovel. Based on the results of the study, the abundance of sediment microplastics was in the range of 567-3,560 particles/kg. Meanwhile, the abundance of surface seawater microplastics was in the range of 4-9.7 particles/L. Cilamaya White Sand Beach is the area with the highest abundance of microplastics, both in surface water and sediment. The forms of microplastics found in all areas are fiber, fragments, film, and foam. Fiber-shaped microplastics are the form of microplastics that dominate all regions at a percentage of 36.76-80.5%. The size of microplastics is mostly found in the size of <1,000 ?m. The current in the west season causes the spread of microplastics to the east and south of the Karawang and Bekasi coasts. The results of FT-IR cluster readings explained that the dominant types of polymers found were polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene-terephthalate (PET).