Marine Debris of Northern Aceh Waters During First Monsoon Transition Period

Abstract

Pollution in ocean caused by anthropogenic activities has been a global issue. However, data of marine debris in Aceh Waters is limited. This study was conducted to identify the category, density and source of marine debris landed on the beaches in the Weh Island and Aceh Island during the first moonson transition period. Samples were collected in April 2022 at four stations, namely Laweung Beach in Sumatra Island (station 1), Aron Beach in Weh Island (Station 2), Nipah Beach and Alue Riyeung Beach in Aceh Island (Station 3 and Station 4, respectively). Samples collected in a 100 m-length transet were classified into nine categories: plastic, foamed plastic, cloth, glass and ceramic, metal, paper and cupboard, rubber, wood, and other. The result depicted the highest density was plastic (0.602-1.022 items/m2), following by foamed plastic (0.038 to 0.654 items/m2) and rubber (0.020 to 0.089 items/m2). Turning to its appliance, plastic mostly used as packaging, such as bottles and cups for drinking water while foamed plastic and rubber were used for cooling box and footwear. As the sea current shifted during monsoon transition period, trash threw from ships passing the marine routes around the Aceh Waters is assumed transporting debris from various countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and China.