Identification of fibrous suspended atmospheric microplastics in Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-12, Vol.308, p.136194-136194, Article 136194
• Main Authors: Syafina, Paramastri Rahmi, Yudison, Adyati Pradini, Sembiring, Emenda, Irsyad, Mohammad, Tomo, Haryo Satriyo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric microplastics; Fibre; Hot needles test method; Microplastics; Total suspended particulates
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136194

Most research mainly focused on microplastics in the aquatics and terrestrial environment, whereas studies related to microplastics in the atmospheric environment are still limited. This study aims to identify microplastics in Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) in two different spatial areas. The measurement and study was to represent the commercial area (urban area) and residential area (sub-urban) in Greater Bandung City, Indonesia. Suspected microplastics were identified by visual observation using a digital microscope, then were confirmed by the hot needle test method. Microplastics fibres were found in all samples with a concentration range of 0.3–0.6 particles/m3 in the commercial area and 0.1–0.3 particles/m3 in the residential area. Black is the dominant colour of microplastics both in the commercial and residential areas, which counted up to 77.2% and 81.8% respectively. Microplastics fibres have various sizes, with the dominant size ranging from 1000 to 1400 μm in the commercial area and 600–1000 μm in the residential area. The proven occurrence of microplastics in Greater Bandung Region and in other parts of the world can be used to attract attention on further study on source, fate, impact, and possibility of a new air quality monitoring parameter. [Display omitted] •Microplastics (MPs) were found in total suspended particulates (TSP) in both urban and suburban areas.•The suspected MPs from TSP was confirmed by hot needle test.•MPs abundance is 0.3–0.6 particles/m3 in the urban and 0.1–0.3 particles/m3 air in the suburban.•There is a significant differences between occurrence of MPs in urban and suburban area.