The deposition of atmospheric microplastics in Jakarta-Indonesia: The coastal urban area

The air pollution in Jakarta has been recorded regularly; meanwhile, the information of atmospheric microplastics is still unknown. This study examines the characteristics (shape, size, and polymer) and deposition rate of atmospheric microplastics in Jakarta. The sample was obtained by putting a rain gauge for 12 months. All microplastic samples were analyzed for polymer using FT-IR. The lowest to the highest percentage of atmospheric microplastic based on shape were foam<fragment<fiber, meanwhile based on size were of 500-1000 mu m < 300-500 mu m. The detected polymers included polyester, polystyrene, polybutadiene, and polyethylene. The microplastics deposition rate ranged from 3 to 40 particles m- 2d-1, with an average of 15 particles m- 2d-1. The rainy season's deposition rate (23.422 particles m- 2d-1) was higher than the dry season (5.745 particles m- 2d-1). Our study proves that the atmospheric microplastic exists in Jakarta's air and needs to be considered to monitor by the government regularly.