Marine Debris Pathway Across Indonesian Boundary Seas

Abstract

The complex circulation for both atmospheric and ocean affects the pathways of floating marine debris (MD). The aim of this research was to define the MD trajectories in the Indonesian boundary seas. The Lagrangian particle method was applied with oceanographic factors and debris classes based on 1 to 3% windage class. The simulation was applied during the Northwest and Southeast Monsoon period. On the basis of the obtained findings, the debris trajectory patterns were indicated to vary in the two monsoons. In the northern part of Indonesia, all neighbouring countries were affected, especially those near the boundaries. In the southern part of Indonesia, most of the debris headed west towards the Indian Ocean. MD was mostly transported by the ocean currents and monsoonal wind and ended up in the coastal area. Some debris was also still floating in the open ocean after three months. This study concluded that marine litter not only polluted Indonesia water, but also the neighbouring countries.

Plastic Pollution Research in Indonesia: State of Science and Future Research Directions to Reduce Impacts

“…We, therefore, recommend expanding the spatial coverage to all major islands of Indonesia, while keeping research focus on areas with predicted high pollution rates such as Java and Sumatra Islands. Additionally, Purba et al (2021) emphasize that plastic pollution is a transboundary issue in south-east Asian countries. We therefore also suggest that research should expand to boundary seas.…”

“…Plastic pollution found in the Indonesian Seas not only comes from inland, but also from several countries surrounding it. The ocean currents transport this plastic pollution to the inner seas (Purba et al, 2021). High plastic emission rates are hypothesized to be caused by Indonesia's high population densities in coastal areas in combination with improper waste management and insufficient service coverage (Lebreton and Andrady, 2019;Lestari and Trihadiningrum, 2019).…”

A Study on Transboundary Marine Governance of Floating Marine Debris—Taking Kinmen–Xiamen Waters between China and Taiwan as an Example

“…When land debris flows into the ocean, it floats far away according to the factors of tide, ocean current and monsoons [1]. Based on the study by Lin [4], factors such as the trend of floating marine debris in Kinmen and Xiamen over the years, monsoons, tides, and statistical data from Kinmen and Xiamen governments were analyzed to explore the correlation of floating marine debris between Kinmen and Xiamen, and the possible positions that the debris might be distributed on the coasts of Kinmen.…”

“…Most marine debris includes plastic, wood, containers and fishing equipment (such as gear, nets, fishing lines, floats) that floats on the sea or sinks to the seabed for a long time [1]. Marine debris is considered to have a high impact on ecosystems, human health, and the economy, and it is one of the most worrying global environmental issues of today [2].…”

A Mini-Review: Marine Debris in Indonesian Waters

“…Based on previous research, there is a hypothetical method used by some researchers to determine the prediction of sources from MD [13] The research can be carried out with different methods, namely in the form of a photometric method that can identify a movement of waste in real-time and cannot predict where the MD will move [14] There is another study using a simple model that utilizes tools in making prediction models from secondary data consisting of wind, current and tidal components, these parameters are factors that have an influence on MD displacement [15]. This observation method can understand the complexity of the movements that occur in waters and other benefits, the data used can be easily accessed and the results obtained are in the form of observational data obtained with minimal costs [16]. The use of instrumentation in predicting MD displacement is also available.…”