SEPARATION, IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROPLASTICS FOUND IN THE SURFACE WATER OF LANGAT RIVER, MALAYSIA
Ahmad Ammarluddin Ali (a*), Sabiqah Tuan Anuar (b), Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusof (b), Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd Khalik (b), Maisarah Jaafar (b), Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim (b)

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

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are found across the world, including in aquatic habitats. While several studies on MPs have been conducted in marine environments, there are relatively few investigations in freshwater habitats. In this research, the occurrence of MPs on surface water from Langat River, Malaysia, was investigated. The water surface was collected at six different points: coastal, estuary, and freshwater. Samples were analysed physically, chemically and statistically. Study found the abundance of MPs was 1820 \pm 1320 items/L and were majority by small in size (0.1-0.01 mm), transparent in color and fragment in shape. Other than that, the surface texture and elemental composition of MPs including cracks, pit holes, and texture and adherence particles were examined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) has corroborated more than 80% polymeric composition of polyethylene and polypropylene for large microplastics (LMPs). Principal component analysis (PCA) concludes turbidity has a significant effect on the MPs abundance due to the urbanization and high population density.

Keywords: Langat, Malaysia, microplastic, surface water, turbidity

Topic: Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology