Microplastics in the Langat River
Pollution by plastic is now high on the global environmental agenda. Nonetheless, studies of the occurrence of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems remain limited compared to marine systems, and very little is known about loads in rivers in South East Asia and, particularly, in Malaysia. The ecological and human health implications of microplastics in freshwater systems are beginning to attract attention, but again in general these remain poorly understood. The aim of this research is to assess microplastic contamination levels in the Langat River basin, Malaysia, and how these affect ecological and human health. The Langat has its source in the hills to the South-east of Kuala Lumpur, but runs through the southern edge of the city before discharging to the sea on Malaysia’s West Coast. This project involves regular sampling to assess microplastic loads and transport dynamics at sites extending along the rural-urban transect of the Langat, and will assess risks to the health of residents living in the catchment who rely on the river for water sources and food.