Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines

Background: Microplastics (MPs) less than 5 mm in size were detected in marine water, which is promoting growing research interest beyond the marine environment into soil, freshwater, and drinking water. This study investigated the presence and characteristics of MPs in water samples from Visayas St...

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Main Authors: Abu Sayed Al Helal, Abu Bakar Siddique, Masum Howlader, Micaela Dador, Victor Asio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Center for Policy, Research and Development Studies 2025-06-01
Series:Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal
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Online Access:https://rmrj.usjr.edu.ph/rmrj/index.php/RMRJ/article/view/2505
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author Abu Sayed Al Helal
Abu Bakar Siddique
Masum Howlader
Micaela Dador
Victor Asio
author_facet Abu Sayed Al Helal
Abu Bakar Siddique
Masum Howlader
Micaela Dador
Victor Asio
author_sort Abu Sayed Al Helal
collection DOAJ
description Background: Microplastics (MPs) less than 5 mm in size were detected in marine water, which is promoting growing research interest beyond the marine environment into soil, freshwater, and drinking water. This study investigated the presence and characteristics of MPs in water samples from Visayas State University beach, Pangasugan, Leyte. Methods: Samples (n=20) were collected from 20 sites based on spatial variation. MPs were isolated via density extraction and filtration, identified under a microscope, and analyzed chemically using FTIR. Results: The average contamination level was 132.5 items/L. MPs were categorized by shape, color, size, and polymer type, with fibers (62%) being most prevalent, followed by fragments and pellets (9.4%). Black (24.5%) was the most common color. Identified polymers included ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PA (polyamide), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Conclusion: Given the direct exposure of aquatic ecosystems to this contamination, further studies are recommended to assess health risks, offering crucial baseline data for future research.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2423-1398
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language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Center for Policy, Research and Development Studies
record_format Article
series Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal
spelling doaj-art-885562dfd1244d7f8a5dc7f337ea37272025-08-20T03:15:12ZengCenter for Policy, Research and Development StudiesRecoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal2423-13982408-37552025-06-0113110711910.32871/rmrj2513.01.09Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, PhilippinesAbu Sayed Al Helal0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6567-7576Abu Bakar Siddique1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1445-3520Masum Howlader2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5514-3127Micaela Dador3https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3354-7584Victor Asio4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3569-3997Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management, Visayas State University, Baybay City, PhillipinesInstitute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management, Visayas State University, Baybay City, PhillipinesDepartment of Environmental Science and Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, BangladeshDepartment of Agronomy, Visayas State University, Baybay City, PhillipinesDepartment of Soil Science, Visayas State University, Baybay City, PhillipinesBackground: Microplastics (MPs) less than 5 mm in size were detected in marine water, which is promoting growing research interest beyond the marine environment into soil, freshwater, and drinking water. This study investigated the presence and characteristics of MPs in water samples from Visayas State University beach, Pangasugan, Leyte. Methods: Samples (n=20) were collected from 20 sites based on spatial variation. MPs were isolated via density extraction and filtration, identified under a microscope, and analyzed chemically using FTIR. Results: The average contamination level was 132.5 items/L. MPs were categorized by shape, color, size, and polymer type, with fibers (62%) being most prevalent, followed by fragments and pellets (9.4%). Black (24.5%) was the most common color. Identified polymers included ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PA (polyamide), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Conclusion: Given the direct exposure of aquatic ecosystems to this contamination, further studies are recommended to assess health risks, offering crucial baseline data for future research.https://rmrj.usjr.edu.ph/rmrj/index.php/RMRJ/article/view/2505spatial variationftirbeach regionleytephilippines
spellingShingle Abu Sayed Al Helal
Abu Bakar Siddique
Masum Howlader
Micaela Dador
Victor Asio
Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal
spatial variation
ftir
beach region
leyte
philippines
title Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
title_full Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
title_fullStr Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
title_short Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastic in the Selected Coastal Area of Pangasugan, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines
title_sort abundance and characteristics of microplastic in the selected coastal area of pangasugan baybay city leyte philippines
topic spatial variation
ftir
beach region
leyte
philippines
url https://rmrj.usjr.edu.ph/rmrj/index.php/RMRJ/article/view/2505
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