Degradasi dan Digesti Plastik pada Larva Zophobas atratus Fab. (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) yang didedahkan Beberapa Jenis Sampah Plastik serta Pemanfaatannya sebagai Buku Ilmiah Populer

Abstract

The use of plastic is increasing, resulting in a growing accumulation of plastic waste. The accumulation of plastic waste, which is difficult to decompose, is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. One effort to reduce the buildup of plastic waste can be carried out through biodegradation. The larvae of Zophobas atratus Fab. have the ability to degrade plastic in their digestive system. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different types of plastic on the degradation and digestion results of plastic by Zophobas atratus Fab larvae. The plastics commonly used by the public are styrofoam and plastic bags. The research methods included: 1) preparation stage; 2) feed treatment stage; 3) sampling dissection stage; 4) characterization stage. The results of the study showed that the type of plastic waste had a highly significant effect (p = 0.000) on the degradation results of Zophobas atratus Fab. larvae. The average degradation in treatment 1 (plastic bags) was 0.11 grams, while in treatment 2 (styrofoam), the average result obtained was 0.23 grams. In addition, the difference in types of plastic waste exposed had a very significant effect (p=0.000) on the digestion results of Z. atratus larvae. Treatment 2 (styrofoam) was more easily digested, resulting in a total average of 5.28 plastic fragments, whereas treatment 1 (plastic bags) had a total average of 4.44 fragments.