MACROPLASTIC COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE IN COSTAL SEDIMENT OF MUARA BADAK, EAST KALIMANTAN OF INDONESIA

Abstract

The volume of marine debris in various areas in East Kalimantan is increasing despite Covid-19 crisis. Recreational destinations, especially beaches, in Muara Badak continue to receive visitors so that the volume of plastic waste continues to increase. Lack of study on plastic waste investigation leading to a lack of strategies on marine debris management. This study was aimed to investigate macroplastic distribution and composition in coastal sediment of some recreation destinations in Muara Badak, Kutai Kartanegara district, East Kalimantan of Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2 (two) locations, namely Jingga Beach and Mutiara Beach. Sampling method and sample analyses were adapted from NOAA (2013). As many as 5 of 10 x 10 m quadrants with 5 replications were used to collect the plastic waste. The plastic samples were identified and separated based on the type of the plastic before measured and weighed individually. Film of plastic type of Film was dominantly found in Jingga beach (64%) followed by Fiber (26%). Meanwhile, types of Fiber was dominantly detected in Mutiara beach (82%). There was no Styrofoam collected in Mutiara Beach. The total of macroplastic particles were found slightly higher on from Mutiara Beach in comparison to Jingga beach.