CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTIO
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1.1 Background
Social and environmental problems that are often an issue in
various spheres of society in modern times are inseparable from the
increase in plastic waste which certainly causes environmental
pollution in the long term and the impact is felt by all living things,
especially in waters or seas. Plastic is indeed considered effective when
used to support the industrial world and everyday life, because with
plastic everything becomes more practical because of the nature of
plastic that is strong, flexible, anti-corrosion, and affordable. But
behind its effectiveness, we need to know that plastic waste can change
shape into small pieces to invisible or known as microplastics. Another
supporting statement by Hidalgo-Ruz (2012) is that microplastics are
degraded plastic fragments and have a small size of only <5mm. This
is reinforced by Li (2016) where the very small size of microplastics
with a large amount in the sea makes their properties dispersed and
bioavability for other marine life.
The percentage of marine pollution levels in each region in
Indonesia varies, but the dominance of it is certainly high because it
includes contamination from microplastics. Because of its very small
size, it finally raises its own concerns if microplastics enter the body of
marine life and damage the condition of seawater. For example, in
2017 referring to Fitri's research, explained that blood shells from
Semarang were positive for microplastics as much as 2.4 to 3.4
particles/shellfish.
With the increase in microplastics in the ocean, it is necessary to
treat seawater. Methods that can be implemented to overcome
microplastics that attack seawater, marine life, and the community are
processed physically, chemically, and biologically. Chemical
processing is carried out by coagulation- floucation. Coagulation is the
process of agglomerating small parts or particles through coagulant
substances. While floucation is the process

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 floc formation results from greater coagulation with slow agitation so
that it is easy for these particles to settle (Laili and Rusmini, 2016).

1.2 Problem Formulation

Contamination of plastic waste including in the ocean has been
closely related to anthropogenic activities, knowledge and public
understanding of plastic pollution. Plastic is gradually degrading as
environmental impacts and physical factors, some of which enter the
ocean threatening ocean quality and food security due to the
accumulation of plastic in fish and other marine organisms.
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles with a size below 5 mm.
Anthropogenic activities have caused pollution throughout the marine
environment and are ingested by many wildlife species including fish
and shellfish (Yoswaty et., al 2021).
In research conducted by Widayati et al. (2009), snail shells are
used as natural coagulants in wastewater treatment. The results showed
that the processing process using snail shell coagulants can reduce the
turbidity of TDS and TSS.
Coagulation is a technique by which finely dispersed solids are
efficiently removed. It has largely expanded and remains the most
unavoidable way of treating water (Ghernaout, 2020). One of the main
contents of snail shells is CaCO 3
. CaCO3 is one of the most common inorganic whose purpose is to
separate metal or non-metal nanoparticles (Adeosun et., al 2013).
Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to develop coagulants
from snail shells.

1.3 Research Objectives

1. Analyze the effect of snail shell and chitosan concentrations on the
coagulation process of microplastics.
2. Analyze the effect of tannic acid concentration on the coagulation process
of microplastics.
3. Evaluate the optimum condition of the coagulation process using the RSM
(Response Surface Methodology) method.
4. Evaluate the effect of salinity on the coagulation process of microplastics.

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1.4 Research Benefits
1. Students are able to analyze the effect of snail shell and chitosan
concentrations on the microplastic coagulation process.
2. Students are able to analyze the effect of tannic acid concentration on the
microplastic coagulation process.
3. Students are able to evaluate the optimum condition of the coagulation
process using the RSM (Response Surface Methodology) method.
4. Students are able to evaluate the effect of salinity on the coagulation process
of microplastics.

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