Baseline data of marine debris in the Indonesia beaches

Abstract

This study was conducted around the beaches in Indonesia in order to investigate the level of pollution in the marine environment. Thirteen (13) locations in six (6) regions namely: Seribu Island, Banten, South Java, Biawak Islands, West Papua, and East Nusa making up a total length of 12.84 km of the area were studied. This investigation focused on the debris around isolated beaches, tourist attraction centers, fishing zones and marine protected areas (MPA). The method employed in this study was dependent on the international coastal cleanup form. The samples of debris collected and studied varied from the year 2013 to 2018 for a thorough investigation. The beach debris monitoring equipment revealed information about the distribution, abundance, types and, effects of marine debris on the ecosystem. Moreover, the study showed that the mass of debris collected within the areas listed weighted 1113.10 kg for 34,330 collected items. Also, the average density was noted to range between 1.43 and 5.11 items/m². However, it was observed that plastic products constituted the highest percentage of the pollutants found in almost all the stations, with plastic bags being the most dominant.

Keywords: Baseline study; Beach pollution; Macro-debris; Marine environment; National action plan.

Fig. 1

The study area is divided into 6 regions, (1) Seribu Islands, (2) Banten, (3) South Java, (4) Biawak Islands, (5) Misool, (6) the Savu Sea.

Fig. 2

Sample of several marine debris found in this study: (A) Plastic bottles, (B) Grocery bags, (C) Plastic food wrapper, (D) Plastic cup, (E) Plastic wrapper, (F) Spoon, (G) Glass bottles, (H) Foam packaging, (I) Bulb.

Fig. 3

Distribution MD in Six Locations based on Six Categories. From seven categories of debris, dominant debris per types as follows: Plastics and rubbers are classified as Plastic bags (35.08%), Metals are classified as Cans (1.78%), Glasses are classified as Glass bottles (4.26%), Woods are classified as Cigarettes buds (15.87%), Fabrics are classified as Diapers and Tampons (1.07%), Others are Condoms (0.36%).

Fig. 4

Average density (kg/m) per area. Many factors influence the great differences; the main factor affecting this study is the variation in the sample points across the number of stations investigated in each location.

Fig. 5

Seasonal distribution of MD in sampling site. Seasons are divided by north-west monsoon (DJF) and south-east monsoon (JJA) with transition monsoon included in each category.

Fig. 6

Illustrated MD collection Method in the coastal area. Transect made in an intertidal line with a transect length of 100 m with a buffer as far as 5 m from the transect line. One person held a GPS to mark the position of debris (1), two other persons collected the debris (2), and the last person collected the debris left uncollected (4).