Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Ekosistem mangrove memiliki peran penting dalam menjaga keseimbangan
lingkungan pesisir, namun saat ini menghadapi ancaman serius akibat pencemaran
mikroplastik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi kelimpahan, jenis, dan
ukuran mikroplastik yang terdapat dalam sedimen mangrove di Peureulak, Kabupaten
Aceh Timur. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan menggunakan metode purposive
sampling. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ditemukan 3 jenis mangrove di Lokasi
penelitian yaitu Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba dan Rhizophora mucronata.
Rata-rata kelimpahan mikroplastik di seluruh stasiun sebesar 3,17 partikel/g. Terdapat
tiga tipe utama mikroplastik yang teridentifikasi, yaitu fragmen, foam, dan fiber,
dengan tipe dominan berupa fragmen yang memiliki kelimpahan rata-rata sebesar 8,36
partikel. Mikroplastik yang ditemukan memiliki variasi warna seperti biru, cokelat,
hijau, hitam, kuning, merah, dan oranye, dengan ukuran partikel berkisar antara 5,62
hingga 2.957,10 µm. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa ekosistem mangrove di wilayah
studi telah tercemar mikroplastik dalam tingkat yang mengkhawatirkan, yang
berpotensi mengganggu fungsi ekologis serta rantai makanan di lingkungan pesisir.
Kata kunci : mikroplastik, mangrove, sedimen, warna, kelimpahan

Mangrove ecosystems play an important role in maintaining the balance of coastal environments; however, they are currently facing serious threats due to microplastic pollution. This study aims to identify the types, sizes, and abundance of microplastics found in mangrove sediments in Peureulak, East Aceh Regency. Sampling was conducted at three stations using a purposive sampling method with three sediment depth layers: 0–15 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm. The results showed that Rhizophora apiculata was found along the coasts of Leuge and Kuala Bugag, while Sonneratia alba and Rhizophora mucronata were identified along the coast of Kuala Beukah. The average microplastic abundance across all stations was 3.17 particles/g. Three main types of microplastics were identified—fragments, foam, and fibers—with fragments being the dominant type, showing an average abundance of 8.36 particles. The microplastics found exhibited a variety of colors including blue, brown, green, black, yellow, red, and orange, with particle sizes ranging from 5.62 to 2,957.10 µm. Keywords: Microplastics, mangroves, sediment, color, abundance