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Heliyon
2023 Jun 01;96:e16822. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16822.
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Evaluation of microplastics isolated from sea cucumber Acaudina molpadioides in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia.
Mazlan N
,
Shukhairi SS
,
Muhammad Husin MJ
,
Shalom J
,
Saud SN
,
Abdullah Sani MS
,
Ong MC
,
Naidu Chandra Mohan NK
,
Sopian NA
.
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Plastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern in recent years due to continuous mass production and its slow degradation. Microplastics measuring between 5 mm and 1 μm are being ingested by marine animals and eventually by human consumption in form of seafood. The aim of this research was to evaluate microplastics isolated from sea cucumber Acaudina molpadioides in Pulau Langkawi. A total of 20 animals were collected and their gastrointestinal tract were digested using NaOH. Microplastics were isolated, filtered and identified through microscopic examination based on the colour, shape and size. The chemical composition of microplastics were further analyzed by FTIR to identify the functional group of polymers. A total of 1652 microplastics were found in A. molpadioides. Fibres (99.4%) and black color (54.4%) were the majority of microplastics observed in terms of shapes and colors. The size range within 0.5-1 μm and 1-2 μm were the highest abundance observed. There were two identified polymer types of microplastics obtained through FTIR which were polyethylene (PE) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In conclusion, microplastics were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of A. molpadioides indicating that the animals were contaminated. Further research can be done on the toxicity effects of these microplastics towards human upon consumption of these animals as seafood.
Fig. 1. Percentage abundance (%) of microplastics isolated from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadioides based on its colors.
Fig. 2. Percentag abundance (%) of microplastics isolated from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadioides based on its size.
Fig. 3. Percentage abundance (%) of microplastics isolated from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadiodes based on its shapes.
Fig. 4. The shapes and colors of microplastic isolated from gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of sea cucumber, Acaudina molpadiodes. A) Red fragment, B) Blue fragment, C) Pink fibre, D) Blue fibre, E) White fibre, F) Black fibre, G) Brown fibre, and H) Pink fibre [Scale bars: 200 μm]
Fig. 5. FTIR spectrum showing the functional group of polyethylene composition obtained from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadiodes.
Fig. 6. FTIR spectrum showing the functional group of polymethyl methacrylate composition obtained from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadiodes.
Fig. 7. FTIR spectrum showing the unidentified functional group obtained from gastrointestinal tract of Acaudina molpadiodes.
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