| dc.description.abstract | Plastic waste is the largest component of marine debris that will degrade into smaller particles, namely microplastics. The high production of plastic waste
in Belawan waters can cause microplastic contamination to enter and accumulate
in the body of mussels. Blood cockle are seafood that has a high level of consumption and economic value. This study aims to analyze the shape and
abundance of microplastics, polymer types and estimation of microplastics in the body of humans who consume blood cockle in Belawan Waters, Medan City. Field
data collection consisting of mussel and sediment samples was conducted in January 2023 at three different stations, namely the dock, open sea and mangrove forest. At each station, 10 blood cockle and ± 1 kg of sediment were taken.
Microplastic analysis of blood cockle samples was carried out using 10% KOH
solution and microplastic identification using a stereo microscope. The forms of microplastics found in blood cockle include fibers, fragments, films, and pellets. The abundance of microplastics in blood cockle at stations I, II and III were 64.04
particles/dry weight, 44.19 particles/dry weight, and 54.29 particles/dry weight. FTIR test results obtained polymer types of polypropylene, polystyrene and
polyethylene. The estimation of microplastics due to consuming blood cockle based
on the per capita consumption level of the Medan City community is 16.90 ± 2.53 MP/year | en_US |
