Microplastics in the Digestive Tract of Demersal and Pelagic Fish in Majene Regency, West Sulawesi
Muh. Afdal (a*), Shinta Werorilangi (b,e), Ega Adi Wicaksono (c), Robby Nimzet (d)

a) Department of Marine Science, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Jl. Jenderal A. Yani Km. 36 Banjarbaru Kalimantan Selatan 70714 , Indonesia
*muh.afdal[at]ulm.ac.id
b) Department of Marine Science, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl Perintis Kemerdekaan km 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
d) Department of Fisheries, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
d) Environmental Science Study Program, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl Perintis Kemerdekaan km 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
e) Marine Plastic Research Group, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl Perintis Kemerdekaan km 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia

Abstract

Microplastics are small particles <5 mm in size that originated from plastic waste. Microplastic contamination has spread in Indonesian waters, one of which is in the waters of Majene City, West Sulawesi. However, there has been no research related to the content of microplastics in demersal and pelagic fish in Majene Regency, West Sulawesi. This research aims to analyze microplastic contamination in demersal and pelagic fish and the abundance of microplastics in the digestive tract of demersal and pelagic fish. The research was conducted in Majene District, West Sulawesi. Fish samples were dissected and taken from the digestive tract, then KOH 10% was added 3 times the sample volume for digestive treatment. Analysis and identification were carried out at the Laboratory of Marine Ecotoxicology, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin.
The results showed that the highest contamination in demersal fish was the species Lethrinus semicinctus (40%), while pelagic fish was the species Decapterus macarellus (80%). The highest abundance of microplastics in the digestive tract of demersal fish was found in the species Lethrinus semicinctus of 1.53 (item/individual), while in pelagic fish it was found in the species Decapterus macarellus of 1.70 (item/individual). Based on the results of statistical tests, the abundance of microplastics in demersal fish was not significantly different, as well as in pelagic fish. Line is the highest form of microplastic found in demersal fish with a percentage of 66-100%, while line forms are found in pelagic fish with a percentage of 60-100%. These results indicated that the waters of Majene Regency have been contaminated with microplastics and have accumulated in demersal and pelagic fish which are mostly consumed by the people of Majene Regency, West Sulawesi.

Keywords: Demersal fish- Pelagic fish- Microplastics- Majene

Topic: Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology