AUTHOR=Tan Evonne , Mohd Zanuri Norlaila Binti 

TITLE=Abundance and distribution of microplastics in tropical estuarine mangrove areas around Penang, Malaysia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1148804

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2023.1148804

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=This study reports the abundance and distribution of microplastics in tropical estuarine mangrove areas in Penang, Malaysia. Samples were collected by using the Neuston net and Ponar grab around four study sites. A total of 8775 pieces were collected from four sites (Seberang Perai, Kuala Muda, Penaga and Balik Pulau), with abundance in coastal surface water, coastal bottom sediment and estuarine sediment ranging between 201±21.214 - 1407±124.265 pcs/L, 255±22.368 - 350±25.892 pcs/kg and 430±7.234 - 4000±29.174 pcs/kg respectively. Seberang Perai was found with the highest microplastics abundance in all compartments while fragment is the dominant morphology throughout all study sites. Stereomicroscopic analysis showed that microplastics are colourful and irregular in shape while Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) observed severe surficial weathering. Polyethylene is the most common identified polymer type via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and inorganic chemical compounds such as dimethylmercury was detected which possess danger to organisms and the environment. The overall outcome suggests that human activities play a significant role in microplastic input into the estuarine environment and that dominant polymer type in respective study sites is closely related to the nature of human activities. This baseline study presents fundamental knowledge on the microplastic pollution in the estuarine environment of Penang and encourages conducting similar research in the future for pollution control and management.