Impact of Anthropogenic Macro Debris on Coastal Water Quality in Sangiang Island, Banten

Abstract

Sangiang Island, with its rich coastal ecosystem, faces a serious problem with marine debris, particularly plastic, which is polluting beaches and seawater quality. This debris, the result of human activities and industrial marine debris, threatens the environment and the health of marine life. This study is important to identify the type and amount of marine debris in Sangiang Island and its impact on coastal ecosystems. This study used quantitative methods to measure and analyze the composition of anthropogenic macro-debris and water quality at Sangiang Island Beach. Trash and water samples were taken from several strategic points, using a purposive sampling technique to select samples based on relevance. The results showed that the composition of anthropogenic macro marine litter in Sangiang Island, such as plastic, plastic foam, and rubber, was closely related to water quality. Plastic debris dominated, affecting the pH, salinity, and DO of seawater. An increase in litter concentration was associated with a decrease in water quality, showing the direct impact of litter on pollution of the marine environment. The conclusion of this study is that plastic litter dominates the coast of Sangiang Island and negatively affects water quality, such as decreasing pH and salinity.