Spatial Distribution of Microplastics Abundance Along Selected Beaches in Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

The issue of microplastics is far from being in its infancy. This study investigates the spatial distribution of microplastics along selected beaches in Kelantan, Malaysia, addressing a critical environmental issue. It highlights the environmental and health threats posed by microplastics, especially in the coastal regions of Kelantan, and identifies the significant challenge of microplastic pollution exacerbated by natural coastal phenomena and human activities. The objective is to quantify the abundance and distribution of microplastics using advanced analytical and geospatial techniques. Methodologically, samples were collected from ten locations, each comprising 30 subsampling areas. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy was employed to identify predominant contaminants, including Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), and Polystyrene (PS). Spatial distribution was analyzed using ArcGIS 10.8.0 with Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Interpolation to model the microplastics' distribution patterns. A total of 1,607 microplastics were found, with an average of 5.3567 pieces per gram. Fragment-type microplastics dominated, with black and blue being the most common colours identified. The findings also revealed that the intertidal zones were the most heavily impacted areas along the coast. In conclusion, this research provides crucial insights into the prevalence and spatial distribution of microplastic pollution in the coastal environments of Kelantan, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and the development of targeted mitigation strategies to address this growing environmental concern.