Analisis Pencemaran dan Karakteristik Mikroplastik pada Air Sungai sebagai Sumber Air Baku Pengelolaan Air Minum Kota Medan Tahun 2023

Abstract

Waste has been one of the biggest ongoing issues faced in Indonesia and is increasing along with the population growth and activities. Microplastics is the smallest part of plastics with the size of less than 5 mm. This study was done to understand the physical quality, amount, and characteristics of the microplastics found in the rivers which are used as raw water source in the management of drinking water in Medan 2023. This was a qualitative study with descriptive approach. The river water used in this study came from Sunggal, Belumai, and Denai River in Medan. Sunggal River had a turbidity of 8.64 NTU, colour of 11.7 TCU with no odour at 29°C. Belumai River had a turbidity of 7.29 NTU, colour of 5.8 TCU with no odour at 30°C. At the same temperature, Denai River showed a parameter of 8.9 NTU and 12.3 TCU for turbidity and colour, with no odour. The physical parameters of these rivers meet the standards and regulations of Ministry of Health of Indonesia No. 2, 2023 for use as raw water source. The amount of microplastics particles in Sunggal, Belumai, and Denai River were 22, 19, and 25 particles/liter, respectively. The characteristics of microplastics based on shape were fibres, fragments, films, and pellets. Meanwhile, the size was categorized as 1-2 mm, 0.5-1 mm, 0.1-0.5 mm and <0.1 mm. Most of the microplastics were black in colour. In addition to microscopy assessment, it is recommended to use Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for future studies to understand the chemical bonds from the microplastics samples to be able to determine the types.