Weathering of Single-Use Plastic Straws on a Tropical Coral Beach and their Implications for Microplastic Generation
Dwi Amanda Utami (1)*, Sri Yudawati Cahyarini (1), Ayu Utami Nurhidayati (1), Tubagus Solihuddin (1), Marfasran Hendrizan (1)

1) Research Group of Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironment, Research Center of Climate and Atmosphere, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Indonesia

*dwia012[at]brin.go.id

Abstract

Plastics have become an integral part of modern life due to their versatile properties- however, their improper disposal has led to widespread environmental pollution. The accumulation of plastic waste, especially in marine environments, has raised concerns due to its detrimental impact on ecosystems. This study focuses on the weathering and fragmentation of single-use plastic straws, a significant contributor to marine plastic debris, on a tropical coral beach. Field observations were conducted on Panjang Island in Banten Bay, Indonesia, where plastic straws were found stranded and partially degraded into smaller plastic fragments. The degradation process was primarily attributed to photooxidation, thermo-oxidation, and mechanical abrasion, causing plastic straws to lose their elasticity and become brittle, ultimately leading to the generation of microplastics. This preliminary work sheds light on the processes governing the transformation of plastic straws into microplastics in a tropical beach environment. Further investigations, including morphological screening using SEM-EDX and FTIR for polymer identification, are essential to enhance our understanding of microplastic formation and its potential ecological impacts. Addressing the challenges posed by plastic pollution requires a comprehensive understanding of the weathering and degradation of plastic materials to develop effective strategies for mitigating their environmental consequences.

Keywords: Marine pollution, Plastic waste, plastic weathering, microplastic

Topic: Marine Resources, and Conservation