Sebaran Spasial dan Temporal Mikroplastik pada Air di Perairan Danau Toba Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Lake Toba plays an important role in the aquatic ecosystem, but human activities such as fisheries, agriculture, and tourism cause microplastic pollution. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics and the environmental factors that influence them. Samples were taken from 21 stations using a purposive sampling method and analyzed in the laboratory. The results showed that the types of microplastics found were fragments, fibers, films, and pellets, with fragments as the dominant type. The most common colors found were black and blue. The abundance of microplastics was higher in the rainy season ( 3,570 particles/m3) compared to the dry season ( 0.629 particles/m3) due to increased water flow and runoff. PCA analysis in the dry season showed an inverse relationship and strong correlation between current and microplastic abundance and temperature with microplastic abundance, while in the rainy season DO showed a direct proportional relationship and moderate correlation with microplastic abundance and temperature showed an inverse relationship and moderate correlation with microplastic abundance. This study provides an overview of microplastic pollution in Lake Toba and can be a basis for more sustainable environmental management.