Distribution of microplastic in relation to water quality parameters in the Brantas River, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The Brantas River, East Java’s longest river, has been contaminated by microplastics. The purpose of this research was to investigate the abundance and types of microplastic particles (MPs) found in the Brantas River. The study also investigated the relationship between water’s physicochemical properties and the presence of MPs. Water was obtained from four sample locations representing the upstream, middle, and downstream rivers in this study. The study lasted three months, from January to March 2020. The total abundance of microplastics in the Brantas River’s waters ranged from 133 particles/m 3 to 5467 particles/m 3 . The ANOVA showed that the abundance of MPs in the water samples differed significantly between locations (p < 0.05). Tukey’s tests indicated that the concentration of MPs varies significantly among sites. The downstream contained a higher percentage of fragments (68%–78%), but the upstream had more fibers (39%–47%). Temperature, turbidity, total suspended solid, and biological oxygen demand are the main physical and chemical elements that are directly linked to MPs abundance in the Brantas River, according to the relationship between MP abundance and water quality parameters in the Brantas River. • Microplastic particles (MPs) were more abundant downstream than upstream in the Brantas River. • The MPs in Brantas River water ranged from 133 to 5467 particles/m 3 . • Temperature, BOD, TSS, and turbidity had the largest impact on the abundance of MPs in the river.