Styrofoam is a thermoplastic with special characteristics; it is an efficient insulator, is extremely lightweight, absorbs trauma, is bacteria resistant, and is an ideal packaging material, compared to other thermoplastics. The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between Styrofoam and S. platensis. The study examined the growth of S. platensis under Styrofoam stress, changes in Styrofoam functional groups, and their interactions. The research method was culture carried out in brackish water (12 mg/L salinity) for 30 days. S. platensis yields were tested by FTIR and SEM-EDX and Styrofoam samples by FTIR. The results showed the highest growth rate of S. platensis in cultures treated with 150 mg Styrofoam that is 0.0401 day−1. FTIR analysis shows that there has been a change in the functional group on Styrofoam. At a wavelength of 3400–3200 cm−1 corresponds to the alcohol group and there was an open cyclic chain shown by the appearance of a wavelength at 1680–1600 cm−1 assignment to alkene. SEM-EDX test results show that Styrofoam can be a resource of nutrition, especially carbon for S. platensis to photosynthesize. Increased carbon content of 24.56% occurred in culture, meanwhile, Styrofoam is able to damage S. platensis cells.

Kelurahan Jatirejo di Kota Semarang merupakan salah satu wilayah yang memiliki permasalahan sampah rumah tangga. Namun kegiatan pengelolaan sampah berbasis masyarakat terkendala oleh waktu dan biaya. Teknik pengomposan dengan metode takakura dapat menjadi solusi dalam pengelolaan sampah rumah tangga di Kelurahan Jatirejo, Kota Semarang. Berangkat dari hal tersebut, kami selaku tim pengabdian melalukan kegiatan pelatihan pembuatan kompos menggunakan metode takakura sebagai solusi penanganan sampah di Kelurahan Jatirejo. Tahapan dalam kegiatan pengabdian ini terdiri dari tahapan persiapan, sosialisasi dan praktik pembuatan kompos. Pada tahapan persiapan, tim pengabdi menggunakan EM4 dalam pembuatan kompos berdasarkan studi literatur. Selanjutnya, tim pengabdi melakukan kegiatan sosialisasi dan praktik pembuatan kompos dengan metode takakura. Setelah kegiatan praktik, para peserta tertarik untuk menerapkan pengomposan dengan metode takakura ditempat tinggal masing-masing. Pengetahuan tentang pemanfaatan sampah rumah tangga bagi ibu-ibu Kelurahan Jatirejo juga semakin berkembang melalui kegiatan pengabdian pelatihan pembuatan pupuk kompos dengan metode takakura. Untuk kegiatan selanjutnya, perlu diuji bagaimana tingkat partisipasi masyarakat Kelurahan Jatirejo dalam pengelolaan sampah berbasis kompos dengan metode takakura. Jatirejo Village in Semarang City is one area that has household waste problems. However, community-based waste management activities are constrained by time and cost. Composting techniques using the takakura method can be a solution to managing household waste in Jatirejo Village, Semarang City. Based on that problem, we as a service team conducted composting training activities using the takakura method to handle waste in Jatirejo Village. The stages in this service activity consist of preparation, socialization and the practice of making compost. In the preparation stage, the service team used EM4 in composting based on a literature study. Furthermore, the service team carried out socialization activities and the practice of making compost using the takakura method. After the practical activity, the participants were interested in applying compost using the takakura method in their respective places of residence. Knowledge related to the use of household waste for women in Jatirejo Village is also growing through service activities for making compost fertilizer using the takakura method. For the next activity, it is necessary to examine how the level of community participation in Jatirejo Village in compost-based waste management using the takakura method is needed.

Microplastic had been contaminating freshwater ecosystem. But, our knowledge to identify kind of microplastics are still limited. Microplastic research methods in both water and sediment are generally divided into several stages: sampling, sample purification and sample identification. Samples can come from water or sediment. This journal provides several microplastic sampling methods to choose from, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Until a pure microplastic sample is obtained.

Rice weeds are disturbing plants that grow together with rice and otherwise well-controlled, it will reduce the quantity and quality of crops. The aim of this research is to analyze the community structure of weed rice in 8-week-old. Benefits of this research are expected to provide information about the types of rice weeds and their characteristics. Research was conducted in June 2018 in Bulusari Village, Sayung District, Demak Regency; and Ecology and Biosystematics Laboratory, Biology Departement, Diponegoro University. Method of this research is a random sampling method used a plot sized 1 m x 1 m as many as 18 plots. Results of the research were the highest Important Value Index is Echinochloa colonum (L) Link species and rice weed diversity index is low.