Spatial Distribution of Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in the Surface Water of the Kahayan River, Central Kalimantan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26630/rj.v20i2.5539Keywords:
Biomonitoring, Spatial distribution, Microplastics, Kahayan River, Surface waterAbstract
Microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems has become a growing environmental concern due to its adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The Kahayan River, one of the major rivers in Central Kalimantan, is widely used for water supply, transportation, and fisheries. However, information on the spatial distribution and physical characteristics of microplastics in its urban section remains limited. This study aimed to analyze differences in microplastic abundance among sampling stations and characterize the shape, size, and color of microplastics in the river's surface water. An observational biomonitoring study was conducted at four sampling stations representing different anthropogenic activities. Surface water samples were collected using a plankton net and visually identified under a stereomicroscope. Microplastic abundance among stations was analyzed using Welch's ANOVA, followed by the Games–Howell post hoc test (α = 0.05). Microplastics were detected at all stations, with abundances ranging from 5.80 ± 0.92 to 10.33 ± 1.97 particles/L. Welch's ANOVA revealed significant differences among stations (p = 0.035), while the Games–Howell test identified a significant difference only between Stations T1 and T3 (p = 0.018). Microplastics were predominantly fibers (71.31%), with sizes of 0.501–1.000 mm (35.86%) and transparent particles (51.00%). Their distribution varied among sampling stations rather than following a linear upstream-to-downstream pattern. Microplastic distribution in the Kahayan River is influenced by local environmental conditions at each sampling station. These findings provide baseline information to support microplastic monitoring and freshwater pollution management in the Kahayan River.
References
Adrian, M. R., & Roosmini, D. (2024). Identification and Characteristic of Microplastics in Sediment and Macrozoobenthos of Upper Citarum River. E3s Web of Conferences, 485, 7005. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202448507005
Alam, F. C., Sari, N. K., Anggraini, R., & Setiawan, F. (2023). Microplastic Distribution in Surface Water and Sediments of Way Belau River, Lampung, Indonesia. Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 1239(1), 12002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1239/1/012002
Alirezazadeh, M., Nematollahi, M. J., Keshavarzi, B., Rezaei, M., Moore, F., & Busquets, R. (2022). Microplastics in Abiotic Compartments of a Hypersaline Lacustrine Ecosystem. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 42(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5497
Anand, V. A., & Sheel, P. (2025). Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Across India: A Systematic Review of Studies and Research Gaps. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5944740/v1
Barbuzano, J. (2019). Rivers Are a Highway for Microplastics into the Ocean. Eos, 100. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO130375
Bellasi, A., Binda, G., Pozzi, A., Galafassi, S., Volta, P., & Bettinetti, R. (2020). Microplastic contamination in freshwater environments: A review, focusing on interactions with sediments and benthic organisms. Environments, 7(4), 30. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/7/4/30
Boateng, C. M., Addo, S., Duodu, C. P., Danso-Abbeam, H., Agyeman, P. C., Anyan, K. F., Asamoah, E. K., Blankson, E. R., Nyarko, E., & Matsuoka, A. (2024). Microplastics in the Volta Lake: Occurrence, Distribution, and Human Health Implications. Heliyon, 10(7), e29041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29041
Cai, Y. ;, Li, C. ;, Zhao, Y. A., Banni, M., Tchounwou, P. B., Cai, Y., Li, C., & Zhao, Y. (2021). A Review of the Migration and Transformation of Microplastics in Inland Water Systems. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, Vol. 19, Page 148, 19(1), 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH19010148
Dahms, H. T., Tweddle, G. P., & Greenfield, R. (2022). Gastric Microplastics in Clarias Gariepinus of the Upper Vaal River, South Africa. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.931073
Darabi, M., Majeed, H., Diehl, A., Norton, J., & Zhang, Y. (2021). A Review of Microplastics in Aquatic Sediments: Occurrence, Fate, Transport, and Ecological Impact. Current Pollution Reports, 7(1), 40–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-020-00171-3
Drummond, J., Aquino, T., Davies‐Colley, R. J., Stott, R., & Krause, S. (2022). Modeling Contaminant Microbes in Rivers During Both Baseflow and Stormflow. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(8). https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gl096514
Ekawati, E., Pamungkas, M. S. A., Putra, S. C. P., Aunurohim, A., Saptarini, D., & Saputro, T. B. (2024). Seasonal Variation Analysis of Microplastic Distribution in the Estuary of Brantas River. Bio Web of Conferences, 89, 12001. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20248912001
Frias, J. P. G. L., & Nash, R. (2019). Microplastics: Finding a consensus on the definition. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 138, 145–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2018.11.022
Haribowo, R., Rubiantoro, P., Fadhilah, A., Denindya, Z. A. P., Kristanti, Y. A., Rismiati, W., & Arsal, M. A. (2023). Assessment of Small-Scale Microplastics Abundance and Characterization in Urban River: A Case Study in Metro River, Indonesia. Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences, 55(2), 167–176. https://doi.org/10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2023.55.2.6
Hartmann, N. B., Hüffer, T., Thompson, R. C., Hassellöv, M., Verschoor, A., Daugaard, A. E., Rist, S., Karlsson, T., Brennholt, N., Cole, M., Herrling, M. P., Hess, M. C., Ivleva, N. P., Lusher, A. L., & Wagner, M. (2019). Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(3), 1039–1047. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.EST.8B05297
He, H., Cai, S., Chen, S., Li, Q., Wan, P., Ye, R., Zeng, X., Yao, B., Ji, Y., Cao, T., Luo, Y., Jiang, H., Liu, R., Chen, Q., You, F., Pang, L., Chen, Y., He, W., Yueting, P., … Tian, X. (2024). Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Potential Sources of Microplastic Pollution in China’s Freshwater Environments. Water, 16(9), 1270. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091270
Li, Y., Tao, L., Wang, Q., Wang, F., Li, G., & Song, M. (2023). Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects. Environment & Health, 1(4), 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052
Li, Y., Zhang, H., & Tang, C. (2020). A review of possible pathways of marine microplastics transport in the ocean1. Https://Doi.Org/10.1139/Anc-2018-0030, 3(1), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1139/ANC-2018-0030
Ma, Y., Qiao, Z., & Gao, S. L. (2023). Pollution Characteristics, Sources and Assessment of Heavy Metals(Hms) in Surface Sediments of Ningyuan River in Hainan Province, China. E3s Web of Conferences, 406, 3016. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340603016
Programme, U. N. E. (2023). Turning off the Tap: How the World can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy. Turning off the Tap: How the World Can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy. https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/42277
Rentería, F. F. G., Nieto, G. A. C., & Cortez, G. H. (2023). Evaluation of Wastewater Discharge Reduction Scenarios in the Buenaventura Bay. Water, 15(6), 1027. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061027
Rofiq, R. A. A., & Sari, I. I. K. (2022). Analisis mikroplastik pada saluran pencernaan dan insang ikan di Brantas, Jawa Timur. Environmental Pollution Journal, 2(1). http://ecotonjournal.id/index.php/epj/article/view/38
Salsabila, A., Sunardi, & Herawati, T. (2026). Identification of Microplastics in the Upper Cimanuk Watershed and Waste Management Analysis in Garut Regency, Indonesia. Industrial and Domestic Waste Management, 6(1), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.53623/IDWM.V6I1.986
Sari, G. L., Kasasiah, A., Utami, M. R., & Trihadiningrum, Y. (2021). Microplastics Contamination in the Aquatic Environment of Indonesia: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 22(10), 127–140. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/142118
Schernewski, G., Radtke, H., Hauk, R., Baresel, C., Olshammar, M., Osinski, R., & Oberbeckmann, S. (2020). Transport and Behavior of Microplastics Emissions From Urban Sources in the Baltic Sea. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.579361
Tan, J. W. Q., Tong, R. J., Tang, Z., Lee, C. Z. D., Yong, C. L. X., & Todd, P. A. (2023). Leaf Morphology Affects Microplastic Entrapment Efficiency in Freshwater Macrophytes. Marine & Freshwater Research, 74(7), 641–650. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf22149
Upadhyay, S., Sharma, P. K., Dogra, K., Bhattacharya, P., Kumar, M., Tripathi, V., & Karmakar, R. (2024). Microplastics in freshwater: Unveiling sources, fate, and removal strategies. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 26, 101185. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GSD.2024.101185
Vercauteren, M., Semmouri, I., Acker, E. V, Pequeur, E., Janssen, C., & Asselman, J. (2022). Toward a Better Understanding of the Contribution of Wastewater Treatment Plants to Microplastic Pollution in Receiving Waterways. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 42(3), 642–654. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5540
Wu, M. K., Goh, Y. L., Mowe, M. A. D., Todd, P. A., & Yeo, D. C. J. (2025). The Effects of Microplastics Size and Type on Entrapment by Freshwater Macrophytes Under Vertical and Lateral Deposition. Journal of Limnology, 84. https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2025.2218
Yilmaz, N., Emecan, I. T., Elhag, M., Boteva, S., & Yılmaz, S. (2024). The Harmful Effects of Microplastic Pollution on Aquatic Organisms. Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 1305(1), 12006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1305/1/012006
Zakiah, Riani, E., Taryono, & Cordova, M. R. (2024). Assessment of Sediment Grain Size and Its Correlation with Microplastic Accumulation and Characteristics in the Kahayan River, Indonesia. Environmental Forensics, 25(6), 474–487. https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2023.2297434
Zakiah, Riani, E., Taryono, Cordova, M. R., Zakiah, Riani, E., Taryono, Cordova, M. R., Zakiah, Riani, Etty, Taryono, Cordova, & Reza, M. (2024). Microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and fish from the Kahayan River, Indonesia. ChEco, 40(6), 697–720. https://doi.org/10.1080/02757540.2024.2357205
Zhang, L., Li, X., Li, Q., Xia, X., & Zhang, H. (2024). The Effects of Land Use Types on Microplastics in River Water: A Case Study on the Mainstream of the Wei River, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12430-7
Zhi, H., Shen, G., Cheng, H., & Tao, S. (2023). Uncovering the Dominant Contribution of Untreated Domestic Wastewater to Antimicrobials in the Lower Reach of the Lhasa River on the Tibetan Plateau. Acs Es&t Water, 3(8), 2307–2317. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.3c00074
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruwa Jurai: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Ruwa Jurai: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
