<![CDATA[Microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems has become a pressing global environmental health issue, given potential to accumulate in aquatic food chain and pose health risks to aquatic organisms and to humans who consume fishery products. Microplastics are among the most commonly found pollutants in freshwater and have the potential to affect aquatic organisms. Lake Singkarak is potentially exposed to microplastic pollution from various surrounding anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to analyze the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in surface water and to compare them with the characteristics of microplastics in bilih fish based on secondary data. Water samples were collected in triplicate from three locations representing a river inlet, a residential area, and a tourism area. Samples were analyzed using chemical extraction and visual identification under a microscope. The parameters observed included the number and shape of microplastics. Microplastics were detected at all sampling locations, with abundance ranging from 9.33±1.15 to 11.67±4.51 particles/L. The microplastics found were dominated by fiber and fragment shapes, with fiber being the most dominant. The highest abundance was found at the river inlet and tourism area locations. Comparison with microplastic data on bilih fish showed consistent characteristics, particularly the dominance of the fiber shape. This indicates a potential link between the presence of microplastics in the water and exposure in aquatic biota. Thus, Lake Singkarak functions as a medium for the transport and accumulation of microplastics, highlighting the need for improved plastic waste management to reduce potential pollution and its impact on the aquatic ecosystem.]]>
