Microplastic have a negative impact on aquatic biota and the environment. This research aims to determine the type and abundance of microplastics found in green mussels cultivated around Pasaran Island. Sampling was carried out by taking samples of cultivated green mussels in small, medium, and large sizes. Based on the research, there was microplastic contamination in the types of fragments, films, fibers, granul, and foam in green mussels. The lowest value of microplastic abundance in green mussels was found in large mussels (15 ± 0.1 particles/individual) and the highest value was 21 ± 0.1 particles/individual in small mussels.
Most of the trash in the sea comes from plastic waste. Plastic waste will decompose into smaller fragments with a size of ≤ 5 mm which are called microplastics. Microplastic have a negative impact if they are ingested by marine organisms or interact with other environmental pollution, and will accumulate in other organisms through the food chain (Dwiyatnoet al., 2018).
This research was carried out on March 2022 and aims to determine the type and abundance of microplastics found in green mussels cultivated around Pasaran Island.
Based on research results, there ware 5 types of microplastics found in green mussels
(Perna viridis). They are fragments, films, fibers, granules, and foams. Green mussels can eat whatever is around them by filtering out the particles in the surrounding waters. Green Mussels taken from Pasaran Island are divided into 3 classes based on shell length. The highest abundance of microplastics was found in the small mussels and the lowest abundance was in the large mussels. Microplastic fiber was found in the highest quantities compared to other types in each size of green mussel. Microfiber with the highest abundance was found in small mussel at 11 ± 0.10 particles/individu, while microfiber with the lowest abundance at 9 ± 0.10 particles/individu was found in large mussel.