Microplastic contamination along the salt production system: insights from water, sediment, and salt samples

This study investigates the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the salt production system, which includes the sea, main estuary canal, reservoir pond, evaporation pond, crystallization pond, and salt storage. Along this system, the concentration of microplastics in water ranges from 0.36 ± 0.13 to 0.78 ± 0.04 items/L. Additionally, the content of microplastics in sediment varies from 0 to 10 ± 0.82 items/kg. Consequently, the contamination of microplastics in salt spans from 14 ± 1.63 to 37.33 ± 4.5 items/kg. The majority of microplastics observed in the water, sediment, and salt samples were small black fiber-shaped particles. Notably, the crystallization pond had a higher level of microplastic contamination, highlighting the necessity for durable and high-quality plastic materials. This study serves as a critical alert to all stakeholders, as it reveals the presence of microplastic contamination in the water, sediment, and salt samples throughout the salt production system. Ultimately, these findings contribute important data to Indonesia’s microplastic pollution database, specifically focusing on water, sediment, and salt samples from solar salt ponds.