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Microplastics (MPs) are discovered in various places even encroaching on marine protected areas (MPA). The aim of this research is to investigate the occurrences of MPs pollutant in MPA and non-MPA in Karimunjawa National Park (KNP). The results showed that MPs from sea surface water were higher in MPA than non-MPA with range as 47.89-106.20 items/L, dominated by fragment, 1-50 µm size, black color and HDPE, LDPE, PP, Nylon, PVC, ABS, and PET in polymer types. It induced since it supplied from it surrounding, specifically the south of MPA, whereas there have been cottage constructions generating many marine debris. These findings indicate that occurrence of MPs still dominantly influenced from anthropogenic activity. However, the hydrodynamic and MPs characteristic as well play an important role in MPs distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to understand the extent of microplastic contamination in Pekalongan waters, Central Java, and its potential impact on fishing grounds, aligning with Indonesia's National Action Plan for Handling Marine Debris 2018-2025. The study employs a 2D hydrodynamics modelling approach with Mike 21 Software to map the spatial distribution of microplastic movement concerning fishing areas during the west and east monsoon seasons. The results showed that microplastic particles follow tidal currents in Pekalongan waters, with their movement influenced by factors such as current, wind, and tidal conditions. The trajectory of microplastics entering fishing ground areas poses potential contamination risk for fish caught by fishermen, threatening the health of marine ecosystems and the stability of their structure and function., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)