Increasing plastic pollution in the environment has also lead to a widespread abundance of micro-plastic especially in marine and coastal habitats. Micro-plastic can make organic pollutants more bioavailable to organisms and is bio-accumulative over the food web. Because mangroves forests are located on coasts, often close to major cities and river outlets they could be especially under stress through this source of pollution. For these reasons the study will focus on quantifying and classifying micro and macro plastic abundance in a mangrove habitat through hand-collecting macro plastic and classifying it, analyzing the sediment and one mangrove crab species (Scylla sp.). Sampling is conducted in the Segara Anakan lagoon, Java, at six stations. In the laboratory, sediment will be separated from plastic, and organic material will be digested to retrieve micro-plastic from organisms. Macro plastic will be categorized in type, color, and condition. Results can be used to raise awareness of plastic pollution sources and impacts.

Jana Frey

Erwin Riyanto Ardli