Estimation of bottom microplastic flux in the Indonesian seas.

Marine debris, particularly microplastics, is an important environmental problem for Indonesia, impacting vast coastline and diverse marine ecosystems. However, little is known about the microplastics flux to the seafloor in the Indonesian Seas. This study employs HYCOM data and Lagrangian particle tracking model to analyze the distribution of microplastics flux to the seafloor from 68 rivers in Indonesia. Microplastics accumulation can be found in coastal waters near major islands, typically within 50–100 km of the coast. Accumulation regions within the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) in Indonesia are mostly located in Karimata Strait, Java Sea and South Java. This study highlights the importance of understanding sinking particles behavior for effective waste management strategies, as well as for mitigating environmental impacts in Indonesian waters. • With particle tracking bottom microplastic flux from Indonesian rivers was estimated. • The bottom microplastic flux closely resembles surface microplastic concentration. • The majority of benthic plastics are situated within 50–100 km of the coastline. • The bottom fluxes are higher over the southwestern part of Indonesian Seas. • The Karimata Strait, Java Sea and South Java are affected most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]