The Occurrence of Microplastic in Suckermouth Armored Catfish in Krukut River, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Microplastic may pose a threat to aquatic organism due its small size that could potentially
be ingested by aquatic organisms. This research was carried out in the Krukut River which is
main water source of Cilandak Water Treatment Plant in Jakarta, the capital city of
Indonesia. This research aimed to determine the occurrence of microplastic in digestive tract
of Krukur River’s suckermouth armored catfish (Pterygoplichthyspardalis). Krukut River was
divided into 3 segments for sampling, i.e. upstream (Jagakarsa), midstream (Kemang), and
downstream (Setiabudi). The microplastic were occurred in 100% suckermouth armored
catfish samples, increased from upstream to downstream. The average microplastic ingested
by suckermouth armored catfish was 61 ± 8.672 items/individual in the upstream, 106.833 ±
6.55 items/individual in the midstream and 137.5 ± 23.805 items/individual in downstream.
In each segment of the Krukut River, fibre and pellet was the most microplastic type found in
suckermouth armored catfish. In downstream, composition of microplastic was 48.53 ± 5.231
% of fibre, 46.952 ± 6.168 % of pellet, 2.11 ± 0.682 % of fragment, and 2.11 ± 0.682 % of
film. Occurrence of microplastic in water and sediment as well as the dominant urban land
use near the Krukut River were correlated with the microplastic ingested by suckermouth
armored catfish. Nonetheless, the microplastic ingested by suckermouth armored catfish in
Krukut River did not affect negatively on suckermouth armored catfish’s physical growth (b)
and wellbeing (K). All findings suggest there should be a further research to investigate the
occurrence of microplastic in drinking water produced by Cilandak WTP, observation about
the source, fate, and transport microplastic in Krukut River and microplastic exposure to
human through food chain.