Microplastic Ingestion By Zooplankton From Terengganu River Estuary To Offshore Waters
Large number of plastics in various forms have been unloaded in different ecosystems; because of many improper control systems in plastic and its waste management, or incurious human behaviour. It is a matter of concern that plastics do not degrade biologically but are divided into small particl...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/16526/1/QL%20123%20.M3%202021%20Abstract.pdf http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/16526/2/QL%20123%20.M3%202021%20Full%20text.pdf |
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| Summary: | Large number of plastics in various forms have been unloaded in different ecosystems;
because of many improper control systems in plastic and its waste management, or
incurious human behaviour. It is a matter of concern that plastics do not degrade
biologically but are divided into small particles called microplastics under ultraviolet
radiation or mechanical abrasion. Microplastics (<5 mm) are a common and global
contaminant of aquatic ecosystems. Due to their small size, microplastic are ingested by
a range of marine organisms, including zooplankton. The effect of microplastic on
zooplankton and their interaction with these particles in their natural environments is
still under consideration. This study presents the first report showing the microplastic
ingestion by seven zooplankton taxa in the offshore waters of southern South China Sea
and Terengganu River estuary as well as the extent of surface seawater contamination by
microplastics. Among the zooplankton taxa groups are Calanoida, Cyclopoida,
Harpacticoida, Mysids, Decapoda, Clodocera and Aphragmophora. No significant
difference of ingested microplastic density among different zooplankton groups was
detected between Terengganu River estuary and offshore waters. Two types of
microplastic (fibres and fragments) were found in zooplankton in both study areas. The
fibres were the most common type of ingested microplastic in the offshore (94%) and Terengganu River estuary (77.7%). The average sizes of ingested fibres and fragments
were 361.7 ± 226.8 µm and 96.8 ± 28.1µm, respectively. Microplastic concentrations in
zooplankton varied from 0.01 ± 0.002 particle/individual (Harpacticoida) to 0.2 ± 0.14
particle/individual (Aphragmophora). No significant correlation was observed between
the density of the ingested microplastic and microplastic density in the surface seawater,
indicating that other biotic and abiotic factors can influence the bioavailability of
microplastic to zooplankton. The results provide basic information for better
understanding of microplastic ingestion levels by zooplankton within Terengganu River
estuary and the offshore water of southern South China Sea for future research. |
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