Professor of FMIPA UI Studies Microplastics as a Serious Challenge to Indonesia's Marine Environment

“Microplastics pose a threat to our lives, not only in marine ecosystems but also in freshwater environments. Our bodies can absorb microplastics when we consume fish, shellfish, or other aquatic organisms. This is concerning because microplastics in humans can cause chromosomal changes that lead to infertility, obesity, and cancer, as well as heightened immune responses.”

The statement by Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Mufti Petala Patria, M.Sc. was delivered during his scientific oration titled "Microplastics: A Serious Problem in Our Oceans." At the Inauguration Session for Professorship, led by the Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, on Wednesday (February 26), at the UI Convention Hall, he was officially appointed as a Permanent Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) and became the 18th professor inaugurated this year, out of a total of 481 UI professors.

In his speech, Prof. Mufti explained that microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. Based on their sources, microplastics are categorized into two types: primary microplastics and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are plastics less than 5 mm in size, in the form of pellets (granules), commonly used as additives in cleaning and cosmetic products. Meanwhile, secondary microplastics are plastic waste that breaks down into smaller particles.

Microplastic particles come in the form of fibers, fragments, films, and granules. Fiber-shaped microplastics resemble threads and originate from the degradation of fishing nets and textile materials. Meanwhile, fragment, film, and foam microplastics result from the degradation of plastic bags, everyday product packaging, or abrasion. Microplastics have a lower density than seawater, allowing them to float in the water for extended periods. However, after reacting with chemical compounds or attaching to microorganisms, their density increases, causing them to sink and settle in marine sediments.

In his study, Prof. Mufti reviewed various research on microplastics. From this review, he found that the microplastic content in the water and sediments of the Seribu Islands—specifically Pulau Untung Jawa (7 km from the Tangerang coast) and the more distant Pulau Tidung (29 km away)—showed noticeable changes.

“The amount of microplastics on islands farther from the coast decreased by 12% in the water and 20% in the sediment. This indicates that microplastic pollution in the Seribu Islands originates from the Jakarta and Tangerang coastlines. In addition, research conducted at the same location one year apart also showed an increase in the amount of microplastics. We conducted sediment analysis on Pulau Rambut in March 2022 and March 2023. The amount of microplastics in 2023 increased by 19.4% compared to 2022,” said Prof. Mufti.

According to him, microplastics present in water or sediment can be ingested or inhaled by marine animals, or attach to macroalgae (seaweed) and seagrass. Marine organisms often mistake microplastics for food due to their similar appearance. Laboratory-scale studies have shown the negative impacts of microplastics on marine life, including inhibited growth.

photosynthesis in algae; reduced appetite and fecundity; as well as decreased body weight, lysosomal function in digesting food, and sperm diameter and motility in oysters.

In addition to microplastics, nanoplastics are now increasingly being found—plastic particles smaller than 100 micrometers. These particles can be absorbed by the intestines, flow through the bloodstream, and spread to various organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, placenta, and brain. Therefore, the threat of microplastics in Indonesia needs to be mitigated through various measures, including selectively choosing food, washing food thoroughly, reducing the use of single-use plastics, managing plastic waste, and encouraging the government to establish standards for microplastic levels.

Prof. Mufti’s research on microplastics has also been conducted previously, including Vertical Distribution of Microplastic Along the Main Gate of Indonesian Throughflow Pathways (2024), *Ingestion of Microplastics in the Planktonic Copepod from the Indonesian Throughflow Pathways* (2024), and Sustainability Strategy for Turtle Conservation in Kelapa Dua Island, Kepulauan Seribu District, Jakarta, Indonesia (2024).

Thanks to his focus on microplastic issues, Prof. Mufti was appointed as a Professor in the field of Ecology. Before being inaugurated as a professor, he earned his Bachelor's degree from the Department of Biology, FMIPA UI in 1987, a Master of Science in Coastal Management from the Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1991, and a Doctor rerum naturalium from the Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, Germany in 2001. He currently serves as the Chair of the Jakarta Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Oceanology Scholars (ISOI) and is a member of the Indonesian Academics and Scientists Association (ASASI).

The inauguration ceremony of Professor Mufti as a full professor was attended by several distinguished guests, including the Director of Intellectual Property Management at BRIN, Dr.-Ing. Muhammad Abdul Kholiq, M.Sc., IPU; Professor of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at IPB University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Neviaty Putri Zamani, M.Sc.; and the CEO of Pandu Holding Company, Fajar Reza Budiman.

Source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/