Characteristics of microplastics and comparison of estimated daily intake levels (EDI) in consumption shells in Kenjeran and Balekambang

¹ Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Department of Biology, 60111 Surabaya, Indonesia
² Thursina International Islamic School, Malang, Indonesia
³ University of Vienna Division of Microbial Ecology, Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Vienna, Austria

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Microplastic pollution has a significant impact on aquatic ecosystems, especially through the accumulation in filter-feeding bivalves, which can transfer microplastics to higher trophic levels, including humans. East Java coastal communities consume large numbers of contaminated bivalves, with microplastic levels varying between the semi-enclosed waters of Kenjeran and the Balekambang offshore sea. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of microplastics and polymer types in edible bivalves (Anadara granosa, Crassostrea sp., and Perna viridis) from the two regions and compare the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values. The results showed that Kenjeran microplastics were mostly included in the K1 size category (<20 μm), black color, and fragment shape, while Balembangang microplastics were mostly K2 (20–40 μm), black, and fragment-shaped. Nylon and Polystyrene (PS) are the main types of polymers identified in both locations. The EDI values in Kenjeran for the three bivalves were 39.13, 42.51, and 40.53 particles/person/day, respectively, higher than Balekambang’s 30.43, 30.39, and 34.13 particles/person/day. These findings confirm the significant risk of exposure to local populations through shellfish consumption and highlight the need for environmental and public health concerns regarding microplastic pollution in the region.