This study was conducted to determine the presence of microplastics in surface water and sediment ofKelantan Bay. The samples were collected between May and July 2019. Microplastics were isolated from the surface water and sediment samples by using wet peroxide oxidation (WPO) followed by density separation. Microplastics were sorted visually according to their shapes and colours after being examined under photographed microscope. The most abundant particle found in this study was threadlike and fragment shapes. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify functional groups in the composition of microplastics to determine the types of microplastic found in the samples. Polypropylene (PP) was the most abundance type of microplastic found in the surface water and sediments of Kelantan Bay. This study provides an insight of the types of microplastics found in Kelantan Bay and therefore, further actions need to be taken to curb the distribution of microplastics in marine ecosystem from threatening the marine food chain of Kelantan Bay.

Degradation of plastic debris in the marine environment has become a global issue. Microplastics may affect the human health and aquatic life. Therefore, a survey has been conducted on higher institutional students towards the risk perception of microplastics pollution in drinking water sources to increase awareness regarding microplastic pollution. On top of that, this study aims to measure the level of risk perception and the relationship between risk perception, concern and behavioural intentions of the respondents towards microplastics pollution in drinking water sources. In this study, questionnaires are distributed through an online platform to conduct the survey involving 320 respondents. Analysis of independent t-test, ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regression has been used to analyse the data. It shows that the factor gender does not influencing the risk perception, concern and behavioural intentions of the respondents on microplastics pollution in drinking water sources. The results show a positive correlation between each variable. However, multiple linear regression analysis shows that the behavioural intentions do not significantly affect the level of respondents’ risk perceptions.

No abstract