MARINE MICROPLASTIC OBSERVATION ALONG THE NUSA TENGGARA WATERS Engki A. Kisnarti(1,2), Nining Sari Ningsih(1), Mutiara R. Putri(1), Nani Hendriati(3), Carolynn Box(4).
(1)Study Program of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Institute Technology of Bandung, Indonesia (email: engki224[at]students.itb.ac.id) (2)Study Program of Oceanography, Faculty of Engineering and Marine Sciences, University of Hang Tuah Surabaya, Indonesia (3)Director of Marine Science and Technology, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs Republic of Indonesia (4)Science Programs Director, 5 Gyres
Abstract
Recent publications state that some researchers found microplastic marine debris were spread in all waters around the world, including in Indonesia. These microplastic marine debris can be found near the sources of garbage or spread to waters near remote islands, in the form of fragments or fibers. The 5 Gyres Expedition 2018, using KLM Sea Safari VII, sailed along the waters of Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia on July 21st-29th, 2018. One of the objectives of this expedition was to collect data on the abundance of microplastic marine debris (size < 5 mm) from the waters of Labuan Bajo to Lombok, which has not been recorded until now. Seawater samples were taken on the surface and analysed for the shape and total concentration of microplastic (microplastic particles/liter). The result, microplastic found in all samples of seawater in the form of fibers and fragments. The fibers from were found in all sampling locations (12 locations), while in fragments from were only found in 6 locations. Near Labuan Bajo-East Nusa Tenggara, microplastic in the form of fibers as much as 10 particles/liter were mostly found. Meanwhile, 27 particles/liter in the form of fragments were found mostly in the waters near Gili Banta Island - West Nusa Tenggara (uninhabited island). During the cruise, ocean currents move from east to west with a maximum speed of 0.6 m/s in the northern part of Nusa Tenggara. These ocean currents partially move southward through the Sape Strait with a maximum speed of 1.45 m/s. It is estimated that marine microplastic debris from Labuan Bajo (east of the Strait of Sape) and Sangeang Island (west of the Strait of Sape) are concentrated on Gili Banta Island due to ocean currents. Results of this expedition reinforce previous findings that microplastic can be found in almost sea areas around the world, not only in densely populated areas but also in remote places that far away from the garbage sources. The contribution of ocean currents seemly very significant on transporting the marine microplastic debris.
Keywords: marine microplastic debris, Nusa Tenggara, 5 Gyres Expedition
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