The Distributions of Micropplastic (MPS) in The Citarum River Basin,West Java, Indonesia

The MPs pollutions in the surface water of the entire Citarum River, which plays a vital role in riparian people in West Java, Indonesia, were firstly studied with an FT-IR microscope for the shape, size and polymer type of MPs. The MPs were collected in the wet season (St.1-6 in Mar. 2018, St.3-5, 3-a in Jan. 2020). Results showed that the MPs numbers decreased in 2020 due to the rainy events, the mean of 4.2 ± 2.6 (n = 6), and 2.8 ± 5.5 (n = 4) particles/20 mL in 2018 and 2020. Notably, the tributary recorded the highest MPs abundance in 2020 with unknown pollutant sources. The upper area (Wagisagara, St.1) was anticipated pristine water, but the MPs pollution was shown, and the alkyd resin and PET were found in this area, unlike other stations in 2018. The Koyod (St.2), which had intensive textile industries, revealed high MPs pollution with a fiber in the 1000-5000 μm group. Additionally, the central part (Cisirung, St.3) of vast Bandung city showed heavy MPs pollution in 2018. The bioaccumulation of fishes inhabiting this river due to dominant PP (61%) and PE (17%) was concerned. Comparison with other studies indicated inadequate wastewater treatment systems affected the MPs abundance in this basin. In conclusion, a wide range of MPs abundances in the Citarum River Basin was caused by the daily precipitation and the local different pollutant sources.