Tan, Evonne
(2023)
Distribution Of Microplastics In Tropical Estuarine Mangrove And The Leaching Of Heavy Metals Under The Influence Of Temperature And Ph.
Masters thesis, Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut.
Abstract
This study reports the microplastic distribution in Seberang Perai, Kuala Muda, Penaga and Balik Pulau estuaries of Penang. A total of 8775 microplastic pieces were collected, with abundance in coastal surface water, coastal bottom and estuarine sediment ranging between 201±21.214 - 1407±124.265 pcs/L, 255±22.368 - 350±25.892 pcs/kg and 430±7.234 - 4000±29.174 pcs/kg respectively. Overall microplastic abundance decreases from Seberang Perai (5757 pcs) > Penaga (1589 pcs) > Kuala Muda (901 pcs) > Balik Pulau (528 pcs). Fragment was the dominant morphology (53%). Severe surficial weathering was observed on colorful and irregular microplastic samples. Polyethylene (PE) (30%), polystyrene (PS) (20%) and polyacetal (20%) were the most common polymer type. Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) detected chemical compounds such as dimethylmercury that can be potentially harmful to organisms and the environment. This baseline study presents the fundamental microplastic pollution status of the estuarine environment in Penang, concluding that human activities are significant toward microplastic input. The dominance of polymer morphology and type in study sites is closely related to the nature of human activities.
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