Detail Abstract

Mapping Micro-Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems

Abstract

Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment. It is significantly affect the environment worldwide. Aquatic and Marine organisms potentially ingest microplastic, and when consume by human will be harmful, linked to a variety of health problems, especially for children. ASEAN consist of 10 countries and half billion of population. The society use plastic intensively and thus promote microplastic pollution to the environment. To this day, there is no comprehensive report on microplastic pollution in Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems in ASEAN. Therefore, it is necessary to map the pollution in major river systems as well as coastal areas of the ASEAN region. This activity will include simple research by the ASEAN S&T fellows and alumni. They can individually collect the data through desk study as well as directly measured the microplastic pollution in their hometown. The object of the studi will be the main river systems and or coastal waters. The data can be collected using simple nets with sizes less than 5 mm. The microplastic pollution measured by the number of plastic particles collected at a certain timeframe. The study will provide feedback to the communities and governments in ASEAN and promote policy in plastic waste reduction.