Microplastics in commercial seafood from coastal areas and traditional markets in Semarang, Indonesia
| Main Authors: | Hantoro, Inneke, Lohr, Ansje, Van Belleghem, Frank, Ragas, Ad M.J, Widianarko, Budi |
|---|---|
| Format: | Proceeding NonPeerReviewed Book |
| Bahasa: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
http://repository.unika.ac.id/21972/1/OU%20PhD%20Day%20completed.pdf http://repository.unika.ac.id/21972/ |
Daftar Isi:
- Indonesia has been indicated as the second largest contributor of mismanaged plastic waste ending up in the ocean. Java, as the most populated island in Indonesia, contributes 0.116 – 0.145 million tons of plastics waste per year. This may lead to the massive accumulation of microplastics in the coastal area. Microplastics may contaminate commonly consumed seafood species through trophic transfer. This study investigated microplastics contamination in commercial seafood (blood cockles, milkfish, green mussels, shrimp, and crab) that are distributed in Semarang. Blood cockle, milkfish, and green mussel samples were collected from coastal areas, while shrimp and crab samples were collected from traditional markets in Semarang. Digestion using 30% H2O2 at 65oC for 24 h followed by density separation process using saturated NaCl was performed to isolate microplastics. The microscope observation was performed to detect microplastic particles and to determine their characteristics (size, shape and color). The polymer identification was done by micro-FTIR spectroscopy. Particles suspected as microplastics (PSM) were found almost in all seafood samples (98% - 100% for each species). Particles in the shape of fragments, films and fibers were detected in all types of seafood. Other shapes such as pellets and beads were also found some seafood samples. The abundance of PSM in crab and green mussels were relatively higher compared to other seafood i.e., 34.4 ± 15.8 – 69.6 ± 36.2 particles/organism or 6.1 ± 2.95 – 12.5 ± 5.98 particles/g, and 29.9 ± 12.2 – 115.5 ± 51.4 particles/organism or 10.1 ± 4.1 –54.7 ± 20.3 particles/g respectively. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene and polypropylene copolymer, high density polyethylene (HDPE), and nylon were the four most common types of plastics detected in the seafood samples. These findings highlight that microplastics have been contaminated our daily food. Further investigation on the risk of ingested microplastics to human health will be urgently needed.