Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 3 (2025): 1383

 

Research Article

 

Microplastics accumulation in landfill soil of Terengganu, Malaysia

 

Dhaswini Gunasegaran1, Nur Izzati Abd Razak1, Aina Arifah Khalid1, Sabiqah Tuan Anuar1, Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim1,2, Sarala Selambakkannu3, and Maisarah Jaafar1*

 

1Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

2Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

3Radiation Processing Technology Division, Malaysia Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: maisarah@umt.edu.my

 

Received: 14 October 2024; Revised: 20 January 2025; Accepted: 23 April 2025; Published: 1 June 2025

 

This article was presented at the 1st National Seminar on Microplastics 2024, held on July 15–16, 2024. The event was organized by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia, with Nor Salmi Abdullah serving as Guest Editor.

 

Abstract

Landfills are key repositories for microplastics due to their direct discharge from primary sources and their long-term breakdown of macroplastics. This study aimed to investigate the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the landfill soil of Sungai Ikan, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Surface soil samples were collected using a stainless-steel shovel within 1 m × 1 m quadrants, with microplastics extracted using a modified WESTPAC method and physically sorted under a stereomicroscope attached with an Axiocam. The total abundance of MPs observed in the landfill soils was 37005 items/kg d.w, ranging from 1615 to 5715 items/kg d.w. Fibers and fragments were the most prevalent shapes observed, each accounting for 34% of the total, likely due to MPs shedding from textiles and the environmental degradation of larger plastic materials. Microplastics were found in ten colors, with transparent (42.7%) being the most common, suggesting potential origins from degradation of plastic packaging, water bottles, or synthetic textiles. The prevalence of small-sized microplastics (<1 mm) further emphasizes the presence of secondary MPs, indicating that they had originated from the fragmentation of larger plastic waste. Analysis of the surfaces of MPs revealed cracks, holes, fractures, and grooves, as well as the presence of toxic elements such as Hg, As, and Cd. These findings suggest that extensive environmental weathering modifies the surface morphology of MPs, increasing their pollutant adsorption capacity and amplifying their role as vectors for toxic elements, which can contribute to further contamination of soil and water sources. Polypropylene and polyamide were identified as the dominant polymers among the observed MPs, indicating their likely association with plastic waste commonly found in landfills. The presence of these polymers underscores the ongoing challenge of plastic waste management and highlights the need for targeted strategies to reduce landfill contributions and mitigate environmental impact.

 

Keywords: microplastics, accumulation, landfills, soil, Malaysia

 

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