Studi Keberadaan Mikroplastik Pada Insang Dan Saluran Pencernaan Ikan Nila (Oreochromis niloticus) di Perairan Danau Toba (Studi Kasus: Desa Haranggaol, Kecamatan Haranggaol Horison, Kabupaten Simalungun)

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a problem experienced in many places, one of which is the waters of Lake Toba located in Haranggaol Horison District. Fish farming activities using Floating Net Cages (FNCs) and tourism activities create the potential for microplastic pollution in lake organisms, particularly Nile tilapia. This study aims to identify the characteristics of microplastics in the digestive tract and gills, determine microplastic abundance, and analyze the effects of morphometric factors, rainfall, and sampling locations of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on microplastic abundance. Fish samples were collected from two different locations, namely Floating Net Cages (FNCs) and tourism areas. A total of 16 Nile tilapia samples were obtained, with the gills and digestive tracts separated and digested using KOH 10%. 179 microplastic particles were found in the Nile tilapia, with an average total abundance of 2.61 particles/g (gills) and 2.42 particles/g (digestive tract). The most common microplastic shape found was fragments (57%), followed by fibers (36%) and films (7%). Black was the dominant color of microplastics found, followed by brown, blue, and other colors. Statistical test results showed that morphometric factors and sampling locations had no significant effect on the abundance of microplastics in fish, while rainfall did not have a statistically significant effect but showed a strong correlation with microplastic abundance in fish.