Abstract:
Microplastics are fragments of plastic less than 5 mm in size,
produced either by the breakdown of plastic waste or by using tiny pieces of
plastic. The study aimed to classify the different kinds of microplastics
found in the Martapura River's water, sediment, and fish. Sedgewick rafter
and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for this study.
This study's findings suggest a dissimilar distribution of microplastics
between the two villages of Loktangga and Teluk Muara Kelayan. Nylon
was found to be the most common type of microplastic in Lok Tangga
Village. Meanwhile, polystyrene and polycarbonate were found to be the
most common types of microplastics in Teluk Muara Kelayan. The dispersed
nature of the microplastic pollution point to distinct regional origins or
unique transport and deposition mechanisms. Knowing the specific types of
microplastics found in a given area helps determine where they came from
and develop effective solutions. More studies may be needed to pinpoint the
precise causes and assess their effects on aquatic life and human health.
