High Microplastics Contamination Around the Pakusari Landfill, Jember, Indonesia: A Profiling and Pollutant Load Index Analysis

Authors

  • Khoiron Khoiron Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Jember, Kalimantan Street No. 37, Tegalboto Jember, 68121, Indonesia.
  • Siti Khoiriyah Department of Environmental Science, Post Graduate School, Sebelas Maret University, Ir. Sutami No.36 A, Jebres, Surakarta, Indonesia.
  • Rahayu Sri Pujiati Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Jember, Kalimantan Street No. 37, Tegalboto Jember, 68121, Indonesia.
  • Fariz Kustiawan Alfarisy Graduate School, State University of Surabaya, Lidah Wetan Street, Surabaya, 60213, Indonesia.
  • Farchan Mushaf Al Ramadhani Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pekalongan, Sriwijaya Street No. 3, Pekalongan City, 51111, Indonesia
  • Jheng-Jie Jiang Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City 320314, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
  • Muhammad Addin Rizaldi Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Indonesia.
  • Khaidar Ali Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/jehsd.v11i3.22839

Keywords:

Microplastics, Landfills, Water Pollution, Soil Pollution, Indonesia.

Abstract

Introduction: Microplastics in landfills pose significant environmental and public health risks owing to their persistence, role as disease vectors, and potential for bioaccumulation. This study aimed to characterize the abundance, distribution, and pollution levels of microplastics in Pakusari landfill, Jember, Indonesia, across leachate, soil, groundwater monitoring well, and manually dug well samples.

Material and Methods: Samples, collected with contamination controls, underwent digestion with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), followed by microplastic analysis (Leica) for quantification (count, size, color, and type) and polymer identification via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Results: This study found an average abundance of 358 particles, with dominating by fiber. Polyethylenimine (PEI) was consistently detected, and the prevalent size range was 0.12 ± 4.22 mm. The calculated Pollutant Load Index (PLI) averaged 3.67 across all samples, indicating Class IV (high) pollution levels.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate severe microplastic contamination at the site, necessitating urgent mitigation strategies and improved waste management practices to prevent further environmental degradation and transform waste.

Published

2026-09-28

Issue

Volume (11) issue (3)

Section

Articles