DAMPAK KANDUNGAN MIKROPLASTIK PADA KOMPOS TERHADAP TANAMAN DAN PROSES VERMIKOMPOSTING

Although microplastics (MPs) in solid organic waste have been extensively studied, the presence of MPs in organic fertilizers and their potential as a new emerging pollutant for the environment due to their use in agriculture have not been fully elucidated. MPs that have contaminated planting media/compost have also been studied for their impact on plants, but there is little research on the interaction of MPs-contaminated compost (MPsC) with rice seeds. Furthermore, although extensive research has been conducted on MPs contained in solid organic waste, the exact impact of MPs on the vermicomposting process is still poorly understood. Therefore, identification and quantification of MPs in commercially available composts are important. Furthermore, a study was conducted on the effect of MPsC on rice planting activity and how certain MP polymers affect the vermicomposting procedure. The characteristics of MPs (shape, color, size, and type of polymer) were identified. Then the study was continued on rice plants, with the application of three different treatments, namely treatment 1 (P1) as a control without the addition of MPs, treatment 2 (P2) with the addition of 1% PET MPs concentration, and treatment 3 (P3) with the addition of 2% PET MPs concentration. Rice seedlings were planted in the planting media of each treatment and observed for 24 days after planting (dap). Then to investigate the effect of MP particles on vermicomposting, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles were added to the organic matter. As indicators of the vermicomposting process, germination index (GI), carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), survival rate, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were identified. This study found that MPs in commercial compost samples were found to reach 160 particles/200 g of compost with various colors (blue, black, red, yellow, and white). The identified MPs had various sizes (0.1 - 1 mm) and shapes (81.8% fragments, 16.2% fibers, and 2% filaments). Furthermore, the impact of adding PET MPs to rice planting media showed a significant decrease in growth and chlorophyll concentration of rice seedlings compared to the control. The addition of PET MPs to compost as a planting medium can inhibit the growth and health of rice seedlings. The impact of MP also showed that the addition of various types of MP polymers had a direct proportional effect on the adverse effects of composting as assessed by the survival rate, pH, C/N, EC, and GI. The findings of this study are very important and significant to inform the public and policy makers about the presence of MP in commercial compost, therefore, its intensive use in agriculture should be controlled and monitored.