Article
Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in Seawater of Marina Togo Mowondu Tourism Area, Wakatobi, Indonesia
Nusantara Engineering and Environment Journal, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026), hlm. 1–8
Abstrak
Microplastic pollution has become a major environmental issue affecting marine ecosystems, particularly in coastal tourism areas. This study aimed to analyze the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the seawater of the Marina Togo Mowondu tourism area, Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi Regency, Indonesia. A descriptive research approach was applied, using seawater samples collected from three sampling points representing the harbor area, the night market water flow area, and the tourism zone during high and low tides. The samples were filtered using Whatman GF/C No. 42 filter paper by vacuum filtration and dried at 105°C for 20 minutes. Microplastic identification was conducted using a binocular microscope with 10× magnification. The results revealed that the total abundance of microplastics reached 0.088 particles/L. Three types of microplastics were identified, namely fiber, fragment, and film, with fiber being the dominant type at all sampling locations. The presence of fiber microplastics was strongly associated with domestic waste, fishing activities, textile fibers, ropes, and tourism-related activities around the coastal area. The study also indicated that microplastic contamination negatively impacts marine ecosystems, including disruption of food chains, interference with photosynthesis, and potential bioaccumulation in marine organisms. These findings highlight the importance of improving plastic waste management and increasing environmental awareness to reduce microplastic pollution in coastal tourism environments.