The occurrence and distribution of microplastics in Malaysia riverine systems utilizing SEM EDS, micro FTIR and pyrolysis GC/MS
Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim (a), Sabiqah Tuan Anuar (a), Nor Salmi Abdullah (b), Nasehir Khan E.M Yahya (b), Teen Teen Chin (c), Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusoff (a), Yuzwan Mohamad (a), Alyza Azzura Azmi (a), Maisarah Jaafar (a), Noorlin Mohamad (a), Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd Khalik (a)

a) Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Faculty of Science and
Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus,
Terengganu, Malaysia

b) Water Quality Laboratory, National Water Research Institute of Malaysia
(NAHRIM), Lot 5377, Jalan Putra Permai, Rizab Melayu Sungai Kuyoh, 43300 Seri
Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia

c) ALS Technichem (M) Sdn Bhd., Wisma ALS, No. 21, Jalan Astaka U8/84,
Bukit Jelutong, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Microplastics ranging in size from 1 micrometre to 5 millimetre are high concern pollutants that are ubiquitous in the environment. Current studies have shown that most MPs in the seas are mainly from land and river inputs. This study presents the distribution and characteristics of MPs in the surface water of two major river basins of Malaysia, namely Langat and Kelantan rivers. MPs were classified based on sizes, shapes, colours and surface morphology. The average of 179.6 items/L and 1464.8 items/L of MPs had been quantified from both rivers, respectively. Fibre (91.90%) was highly recorded at Kelantan, compared to Langat whereby both fibre (59.21%) and fragment (38.87%) were prevalence. Micro FTIR analysis identified 14 polymers in Kelantan river, whereas 20 polymers were found in Langat river. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, phenoxy resins, poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and rayon were discovered in both rivers, although only polyethylene was significant (>1ppm) when further analysed using pyrolysis-GC/MS. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression suggesting only turbidity was positively significant to the microplastic occurrence. This investigation is important for comprehending the abundance of MPs in the riverine system and the significance of in situ environmental parameters.

Keywords: Riverine system, Estuary, Surface water, Plastic pollution,Polymers, South China Sea, Straits of Malacca

Topic: Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology