Identifikasi Mikroplastik pada Sistem Pencernaan Burung Kuntul Kecil (Egretta garzetta) di Desa Tanjung Rejo Kecamatan Percut Sei Tuan

Abstract

Microplastics originate from the degradation of plastic waste with a size of <5 mm. The presence of microplastics in water can inadvertently be ingested by organisms foraging on the surrounding water areas, such as water birds. This study aimed to determine the types, the colors, and the abundance of the microplastics in the intestines and the stomachs of little egrets (Egretta garzetta), the water, and the sediments. Sampling was conducted at 3 different stations using purposive sampling method. Water and sediment samples were tested using the WPO (Wet Peroxide Oxidate) method, density separation, and filtration. Testing of little egret (Egretta garzetta) intestines and stomachs was done by adding 10% KOH (potassium hydroxide). The results showed there were contamination of microplastics in the intestines, stomachs of little egrets (Egretta garzetta), water, and sediments. The microplastics found in shape of fiber, fragment, and film. The most commonly found type of microplastic in water, intestines, and stomachs is in shape of fragments. It is likely originating from the household wastes. Black microplastics were found to be the most abundant with 165 particles, while green microplastics were the least abundant with only 3 particles. The highest abundance of fragment microplastics was found in water at 33.6 particles/mL, in sediments at 19.6 particles/gram, in stomachs at 16 individual particles, and the least in the intestines at 14 individual particles.