Since the 2000s, global plastic production has continued to increase. This is particularly true in developing countries and countries outside Europe. Europe itself has maintained a relatively stable plastic production rate. Meanwhile, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste is dumped into the marine environment. Eighty percent of this plastic waste comes from land-based plastic use, such as industry, drainage, household waste, untreated polluted water, and tourism. The remaining 20% comes from marine activities such as fishing, container transportation, ferries and shipping vessels, and offshore industrial activities.

This was stated by Dr.rer.nat. Mufti Petala Patria, M.Sc., a marine expert from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), at an online general lecture held by the Marine Science Study Program, Department of Biology, FMIPA UI, on Saturday (June 4, 2022).

In a presentation titled “Microplastic in the Ocean: A Serious Problem,” Dr. Mufti focused on a plastic overview, plastic in the ocean, microplastic in the ocean, the effects of microplastic on organisms, what we can do, and a summary.

“Plastics, as we know, are organic polymers, and come in various forms. Common examples include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyactide (PLA). Plastic is very beneficial for humans. Why? Because it’s strong, lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and can be shaped in various ways, which is why many products use plastic,” said Dr. Mufti, beginning his presentation.

Examples of polyethylene plastics include plastic bags and bottles, with a lifespan of 2-20 years depending on thickness. Other examples include fibers and textiles, with a lifespan of 5-10 years.

Polyvinyl chloride plastics include pipes and flooring, with a lifespan of over 50 years. Bottle caps and straws are also classified as polypropylene plastics, with a lifespan of 15 years.

Lastly, examples of polystyrene plastic include plastic cutlery, disposable cups and food containers which can materially last more than 10 years.

Geographically, there are five major ocean gyres in the world. These are the Indian Ocean, the North Pacific, the South Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the South Atlantic. These gyres have rotating ocean currents that cause macro- and micro-debris from the surrounding landmasses to collect at the center of the gyre, threatening the sustainability of ecosystems and marine life, especially fauna.

Meanwhile, microplastics are defined as plastic materials measuring between 5 millimeters and 1 micron. They are divided into four types: the first type is a smooth, round granule; the second type is a fragment, which is a fragment of macroplastic; the next type is a very thin, almost transparent film, usually derived from plastic packaging; and the last type is a fiber, usually derived from fishing line and clothing fibers.

“Microplastics are classified into two types: primary microplastics and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics refer to plastics manufactured in the form of microplastics, such as beauty products, detergents, pellets, and clothing nanofibers. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are fragments or fragments of larger plastics. Because they are so small, microplastics will continue to float in seawater and be stored in sediment,” said Dr. Mufti, explaining the classification of microplastics.

Both primary and secondary plastics are extremely dangerous to marine life. As is known, the presence of microplastics in the ocean can threaten the safety of the ecosystem within it. For example, fauna that consider microplastics as food.

The effects of microplastics on fauna include physical injury to the intestinal tract, translocation to other tissues or organs, significant weight loss, significant reduction in feeding activity, depletion of up to 50% of energy reserves, developmental defects, and even death.

This situation becomes even more dangerous if the fauna is a marine product consumed by humans. This makes the human body more susceptible to the harmful effects of additives introduced when consuming marine products. The resulting health problems can vary, including chromosomal changes that lead to infertility, immune system suppression, and even cancer.

At the end of the session, Dr. Mufti reminded everyone to take an important role in protecting the ocean from microplastic pollution through simple but significant actions.

“Everyone can do something to reduce the amount of plastic entering the ocean. This can be done by reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling plastic waste, participating in river and beach cleanups, avoiding microbeads, spreading the word, and supporting organizations that address plastic pollution,” said the biology lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, specializing in Oceanology and Marine Ecology.

“On the other hand, we can also conduct indirect research. Examples include the abundance of microplastics in biota, microplastics as habitats for microorganisms, or the concentration of microplastics in water and sediment,” he added in closing.