Researchers take water samples from the Jambo Aye River, Aceh Utara, Indonesia.

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The Jambo Aye Expeditionary Team or EJA 2022 found microplastic content in Krueng Jambo Aye water in North Aceh and East Aceh. Three types of plastic content found were filaments, fragments, and fibers with different degrees.

According to Meilany Frisillia Marbun from Malikussaleh University, the Jambo Aye Expeditionary Team conducted water quality tests at three locations, namely the Jambo Aye dam in Stepan, North Aceh; on the Pantonlabu bridge on the border of North Aceh and East Aceh; as well as in Lhokseumawe Reservoir.

"From the test results, it was found that all sampling locations were contaminated with three types of microplastics," said Meilany who is an environmentalist student from Malikussaleh University.

The results of observations through a portable microscope found three types of microplastics in Krueng Jambo Aye, namely the types of fiber, fragments, and filaments. He explained that fiber is microplastic in the form of thread, which generally comes from textiles or clothes that are washed, and then the rinse water is discharged directly into the river.

Another source of fiber is baby diaper waste and adult diapers that are thrown into the river and are fragmented or split due to the heat of the sun or the friction of river water currents.

The other type is filament or sheets which generally come from clear plastic sheets such as kilo bags, wrapping plastic, or colored plastic bags that come from crackle bags.

While the fragments are microplastics derived from plastic pieces of household appliances made of plastic. Based on the results of the study, the location with the highest number of microplastics was the Lhokseumawe Reservoir with 96 Microplastic Particles (PM) / 100 Liters. The second order is the Pantonlabu Bridge of 72 PM/100 L. Meanwhile, the Jambo Aye weir which is located upstream has a microplastic content of 66 PM/100 L.

"The highest type of microplastic in the three sample locations was fiber from domestic waste," said Meilany in Lhokseumawe, Saturday, June 11, 2022.

The EJA 2022 team is a collaboration between the Nature Lovers Student Activity Unit (UMPAL) of Malikussaleh University and the Nusantara River Expedition Team. The activities of the 2022 EJA Team started from 4 – 6 June 2022. The 2022 Jambo Aye Expedition activity was carried out in commemoration of the 2022 environment day which fell on 5 June.

"There is research on water quality at Jambo Aye and an environmental seminar with the theme of encouraging the river recovery movement in Aceh through refusing single-use plastic," said Muhammad Randa, an environmentalist student from Malikussaleh University.

Meanwhile, a researcher from the Nusantara River Expedition, Prigi Arisandi, said that the microplastic findings in Jambo Aye were due to the large amount of plastic waste being dumped in the river water bodies. Various types of plastic waste such as crackle bags, food sachets, Styrofoam, baby diapers, and personal care packages such as shampoo sachets, soap, washing detergent, and plastic beverage bottles.

"Single-use plastic waste that is thrown into the river will be fragmented into small plastic flakes less than 5 mm in size called microplastics," explained Prigi.

Microplastics Threaten Human Health

The process of breaking large plastic into small sizes is caused by solar radiation, the physical influence of movement or water currents. Microplastics are categorized as hormone-disrupting compounds because in the plastic manufacturing process there are many additional synthetic chemicals and the nature of microplastics is hydrophobic or easily binds pollutants in water.

Microplastics that enter the water will bind to pollutants in the water such as heavy metals, pesticides, detergents, and pathogenic bacteria. If microplastics are ingested by humans through fish, shellfish, and water, toxic pollutant materials will move into the human body and cause hormonal disturbances. "Microplastics are also a growing medium for pathogenic bacteria," said Prigi.

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Microplastic Jambo Aye

Jambo Aye water sampling was carried out using LST 1.0, a net tied to a stainless steel tube with a mesh size of 350 or in one inch there were 350 threads so that it looked like cloth. The LST 1.0 tool is capable of filtering small particles above 10 microns or 0.01 mm so that a microplastic size of 5 mm is guaranteed to be trapped in a 350 mesh net.

Water samples were taken using stainless steel buckets to avoid contamination of plastic materials, as much as 50 liters of water were taken at one location that represented the surrounding environmental conditions. The particles caught in LST 1.0 were then observed with a portable microscope with a magnification of 40-400 times, the method used was the rapid test or rapid observation method.

According to Prigi Arisandi, microplastics that have contaminated water will then enter the food chain such as contaminating fish, shellfish, shrimp, and salt, and eventually enter the human body.

Jambo Aye Microplastic Source

Based on research, there are several sources of microplastics in Jambo Aye:

1. The generation of illegal garbage on the banks of rivers and in river water bodies, due to the unavailability of adequate trash bins. Along the waterways from the Jambo Aye Dam, the community throws plastic waste to the river bank or on the river embankment, as many residents do in Gampong Alue Krak Kayee. The bridge is also a dumping ground for garbage.

2. Domestic waste from household bathing and washing activities that are not treated. More than 90 percent of the types of microplastics found were fibers or yarns derived from polyester or laundry materials.

3. Another potential source comes from microplastics in the air.

Plastic Waste Problems

Along the journey of the ESN Team from South Aceh through the West coast of Sumatra Island from Aceh Besar, Banda Aceh, Seulawah, Bireuen, researchers found a lot of plastic waste dumped on the side of the road, oil palm plantations, waters, rivers and on the beach.

"People don't realize the dangers of plastic waste, so we see a lot of plastic waste scattered unmanaged and burned," said Prigi again.

He hopes that the government should provide waste processing infrastructure so that there is no reason for residents to litter. Currently, waste and river management has not become a priority for the Government.

To save Jambo Aye from the flood of garbage, pollution control efforts are needed from the Sungai I Regional Office which is responsible for the management of Jambo Aye. The agency needs to coordinate with the North Aceh Regency Government, East Aceh Regency Government, and Lhokseumawe City Government to control the disposal of plastic waste into the waters or in particular Jambo Aye.

The three governments are expected to prioritize waste control and management, especially plastic waste, through:

1. Three Regency/City Governments set an example in changing the behavior of reducing single-use plastic (PSP) in every activity of the Regency and City Governments as well as supporting the sorting and processing of organic waste.
2. The three Regency/City Governments and the Aceh Provincial Government shall draw up a Regional Regulation (Perda) on waste management and implement it accordingly, especially the PSP reduction regulations (Creek bags, Sachets, Styrofoam, Bottled drinking water/AMDK, diapers, and straws)
3. The three Regency/City Governments make and implement a Waste Management Technical Plan (RTPS) in each region (such as a sub-district or village).
4. The three Regency/City Governments provide waste management facilities/infrastructure, especially organic waste management.
5. Supporting the Zero Waste Campaign, supporting intensive waste reduction and management campaigns for the community.
6. Grow and support communities that care about and participate in maintaining the quality of Jambo Aye.
7. The three Regency/City Governments must open a space for public participation in waste reduction efforts and environmental cadres in the villages to participate in maintaining and controlling indiscriminate waste disposal.
8. Encouraging producers to produce waste for the implementation of EPR and product packaging redesign so that it does not generate residue-type waste such as sachets that cannot be recycled.[]

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Young researchers who are mostly from Universitas Malikussaleh.

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Peneliti menunjukkan tampilan mikroplastik di layar mikroskop.

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Sungai Jambo Aye Terkontaminasi Tiga Mikroplastik: Hari Lingkungan Hidup 2022

TIM Ekspedisi Jambo Aye atau EJA 2022 menemukan kandungan mikroplastik dalam air Krueng Jambo Aye yang ada di Aceh Utara dan Aceh Timur. Tiga jenis kandungan plastik yang ditemukan adalah filamen, fragmen, dan fiber dengan derajat yang berbeda.

Menurut Meilany Frisillia Marbun dari Universitas Malikussaleh, Tim Ekspedisi Jambo Aye melakukan uji kualitas air pada tiga lokasi, yakni bendungan Jambo Aye di Langkahan, Aceh Utara; di jembatan Pantonlabu di perbatasan Aceh Utara dan Aceh Timur; serta di Waduk Lhokseumawe.

“Dari hasil uji, ditemukan bahwa seluruh lokasi sampling telah terkontaminasi tiga jenis mikroplastik,” ungkap Meilany yang merupakan mahasiswa pencinta lingkungan dari Universitas Malikussaleh.

Hasil pengamatan melalui mikroskop portable, ditemukan tiga jeni mikroplastik di Krueng Jambo Aye, yaitu jenis fiber, fragmen, dan filament. Dijelaskan, fiber adalah mikroplastik berbentuk benang, yang umumnya berasal dari tekstil atau pakaian yang dicuci kemudian air bilasannya dibuang langsung ke sungai.

Sumber fiber lainnya adalah sampah popok bayi dan popok dewasa yang dibuang ke sungai dan mengalami fragmentasi atau terpecah akibat panas matahari atau gesekan arus air sungai.

Jenis lainnya adalah filamen atau lembaran-lembaran yang umumnya berasal dari plastik lembaran bening seperti tas kiloan, plastik wrapping atau berwarna yang berasal dari tas kresek.

Sedangkan fragmen adalah mikroplastik yang berasal dari cuilan plastik peralatan rumah tangga yang terbuat dari plastik. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, lokasi yang paling tinggi jumlah mikroplastiknya adalah Waduk Lhokseumawe sebesar 96 Partikel mikroplastik (PM) /100 Liter. Urutan kedua adalah Jembatan Pantonlabu sebesar 72 PM/100 L. Sedangkan bendung Jambo Aye yang letaknya di hulu kadar mikroplastiknya sebesar 66 PM/100 L.

“Jenis mikroplastik yang paling tinggi di ketiga lokasi sampel adalah fiber dari limbah domestik,” ungkap Meilany di Lhokseumawe, Sabtu (11/6/2022).

Tim EJA 2022 merupakan kolaborasi antara Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa Pecinta Alam (UMPAL) Universitas Malikussaleh dengan Tim Ekspedisi Sungai Nusantara. Kegiatan Tim EJA 2022 dimulai sejak 4 – 6 Juni 2022. Kegiatan Ekspedisi Jambo Aye 2022 dilakukan dalam rangka peringatan hari lingkungan hidup 2022 yang jatuh pada 5 Juni.

“Ada penelitian kualitas air Jambo Aye dan kegiatan seminar lingkungan hidup dengan tema mendorong gerakan pemulihan sungai di Aceh melalui tolak plastik sekali pakai,” ujar Muhammad Ryanda, mahasiswa pencinta lingkungan dari Universitas Malikussaleh.

Sementara peneliti dari Ekspedisi Sungai Nusantara, Prigi Arisandi, mengatakan temuan mikroplastik di Jambo Aye disebabkan banyaknya sampah plastik yang dibuang di badan air sungai. Beragam jenis sampah plastik seperti tas kresek, sachet makanan, styrofoam, popok bayi, dan bungkus personal care seperti sachet shampo, sabun, detergen cuci, dan botol plastik minuman.

“Sampah plastik sekali pakai yang dibuang ke sungai akan terfragmentasi menjadi serpihan plastik kecil berukuran di bawah 5 mm yang disebut mikroplastik,” jelas Prigi.

Mikroplastik Mengancam Kesehatan Manusia

Proses pecahnya plastik ukuran besar menjadi ukuran kecil disebabkan oleh radiasi sinar matahari, pengaruh fisik gerakan atau arus air. Mikroplastik masuk kategori senyawa penganggu hormon karena dalam proses pembuatan plastik ada banyak bahan kimia sintetis tambahan dan sifat mikroplastik yang hidrofob atau mudah mengikat polutan dalam air.

Mikroplastik yang masuk dalam air akan mengikat polutan di air seperti logam berat, pestisida, detergen, dan bakteri patogen, jika mikroplastik tertelan manusia melalui ikan, kerang dan air maka bahan polutan beracun akan berpindah ke tubuh manusia dan menyebabkan gangguan hormone. “Mikroplastik juga menjadi media tumbuh bagi bakteri pathogen,” ungkap Prigi.

Mikroplastik Jambo Aye

Pengambilan Sample air Jambo Aye dilakukan dengan menggunakan LST 1.0, jaring yang diikatkan pada tabung steinless steel dengan ukuran mesh 350 atau dalam satu inch terdapat 350 benang sehingga terlihat seperti kain. Alat LST 1.0 mampu menyaring partikel-pertikel kecil diatas 10 mikron atau 0,01 mm, sehingga ukuran mikroplastik sebesar 5 mm dipastikan akan tersangkut dalam jarring mesh 350.

Air sampel diambil dengan menggunakan ember steinless steel untuk menghindari kontaminasi bahan plastik, sebanyak 50 liter air diambil pada satu lokasi yang mewakili kondisi lingkungan sekitar. Partikel-partikel yang terjaring dalam LST 1.0 kemudian diamati dengan mikroskop portable dengan pembesaran 40-400 kali, metode yang digunakan adalah rapid test atau metode pengamatan cepat.

Menurut Prigi Arisandi, mikroplastik yang sudah mengkontaminasi air selanjutnya akan memasuki rantai makanan seperti mengkontaminasi ikan, kerang, udang, garam dan pada akhirnya masuk ke dalam tubuh manusia.

Sumber Mikroplastik Jambo Aye

Berdasarkan penelitian, ada beberapa sumber mikroplastik di Jambo Aye:

1. Timbulan sampah liar di tepi sungai dan di dalam badan air sungai, karena tidak tersedianya sarana tempat sampah yang memadai. Sepanjang saluran air dari Bendung Jambo Aye masyarakatnya membuang sampah plastik ke tepi sungai atau ditanggul sungai seperti yang banyak dilakukan oleh penduduk di Gampong Alue Krak Kayee. Jembatan juga menjadi tempat pembuangan sampah.

2. Limbah domestik dari kegiatan mandi dan cuci rumah tangga yang tidak diolah. Lebih dari 90 persen jenis mikroplastik yang ditemukan adalah jenis fiber atau benang yang berasal dari polyester atau bahan pakaian yang di laundry.

3. Sumber lain berpotensi datang dari mikroplastik di udara.

Problematik Sampah Plastik

Sepanjang perjalanan Tim ESN dari Aceh Selatan melewati pesisir Barat Pulau Sumatera mulai dari Aceh Besar, Banda Aceh, Seulawah, Bireuen, peneliti banyak menemukan sampah plastik dibuang di tepi jalan, kebun sawit, perairan, sungai dan di tepi pantai.

“Masyarakat belum menyadari bahayanya sampah plastik sehingga kami melihat banyak sampah plastik tercecer tidak terkelola dan dibakar,” kata Prigi lagi.

Ia mengharapkan pemerintah harus menyediakan infrastruktur pengolahan sampah sehingga tidak ada alasan bagi warga untuk membuang sampah sembarangan, saat ini pengelolaan sampah dan sungai belum menjadi prioritas Pemerintah.

Untuk menyelamatkan Jambo Aye dari banjir sampah perlu upaya pengendalian pencemaran dari Balai Wilayah Sungai I yang bertanggung jawab atas pengelolan Jambo Aye. Lembaga itu perlu berkoordinasi dengan Pemkab Aceh Utara, Pemkab Aceh Timur, dan Pemkot Lhokseumawe untuk mengendalikan pembuangan sampah plastik ke perairan atau khususnya Jambo Aye.

Ketiga pemerintah itu diharapkan memprioritaskan pengendalian dan pengelolaan sampah khususnya sampah plastik, melalui:

1. Tiga Pemkab/Pemkot memberikan teladan dalam perubahan perilaku pengurangan plastik sekali pakai (PSP) dalam setiap kegiatan Pemkab dan Pemkot serta mendukung pemilahan dan pengolahan sampah organic.
2. Ketiga Pemkab/Pemkot dan Pemerintah Provinsi Aceh menyusun Peraturan Daerah (Perda) pengelolaan sampah dan menerapkan sebagaimana mestinya, terutama Regulasi pengurangan PSP (tas kresek, Sachet, Styrofoam, Botol air minum dalam kemasan/AMDK, popok dan sedotan)
3. Ketiga Pemkab/Pemkot membuat dan menerapkan Rencana Teknis Pengelolaan Sampah (RTPS) di masing-masing daerah (seperti kelurahan atau desa).
4. Ketiga Pemkab/Pemkot menyediakan fasilitas/ infrastruktur pengelolaan sampah khususnya pengelolaan sampah organic.
5. Mendukung Kampanye Zero Waste, mendukung kampanye pengurangan dan pengelolaan sampah secara instensif kepada masyarakat.
6. Menumbuhkan dan mendukung komunitas-komunitas yang peduli dan ikut menjaga kualitas Jambo Aye.
7. Ketiga Pemkab/Pemkot harus membuka ruang partisipasi publik dalam upaya pengurangan sampah dan kader-kader lingkungan di gampong-gampong agar ikut menjaga dan mengendalikan pembuangan sampah secara sembarangan.
8. Mendorong produsen yang menghasilkan sampah untuk implementasi EPR dan Redesign Packaging produk sehingg tidak menimbulkan sampah jenis residu seperti sachet yang tidak bisa di daur ulang.[]

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Peneliti mengikuti seminar tentang lingkungan untuk memperingati Hari Lingkungan Hidup pada 5 Juni 2022.