Microplastic Pollution in the Ambient Air of Surabaya, Indonesia

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm in length. Microplastics in the air can be ingested and inhaled by humans. In this work, three sites in a roadside area were investigated for microplastics. Air samples were obtained by sucking air at these three sites into a stainless steel funnel with a vacuum pump. The air went through a filter media to retain any particles, which were then collected and observed with a digital microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) testing. A diversity of microplastic shapes were identified at the sites, including fibres, fragments and films. Pellets were not found at any sites, and fibre was the dominant microplastic shape. The highest microplastic was found in the study site with high traffic volume than at sites with low traffic volume. Microplastic on Urip Sumoharjo street (225,087 units/day) as many as 174.97 particles/m3 and 130.50 particles/m3, Mayjend Sungkono street (132,066 units/day) as many as 131.75 particles/m3 and 68.36 particles/m3, and Embong Malang street (98,017 units/day) as much 94.69 particles/m3 and 55.93 particles/m3. Microplastics from different polymers, such as polyethene terephthalate (PET), polyester and cellophane, were identified. Thus, dust emissions and depositions in the air, on land surfaces, and in aquatic environments are associated with microplastic transportation.