A Preliminary Analysis of Heavy Metals Consentration on Existing Mesoplastic in a Tropical River: Study Cases in Deli River

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155
² Integrated Research Laboratory, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tridarma No. 8, Medan 20115, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: novridahasibuan@usu.ac.id

Abstract

Mesoplastics are plastic particles with dimensions ranging from 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm. The objective of this study is to examine the concentration of Pb and Cd in existing mesoplastics and the water of the Deli River in Medan City, as well as investigate the correlation between these two variables. The sampling was conducted using grab samples, and the mesoplastic degradation process was performed using wet digestion. The mean quantity of mesoplastic is 1.58 grammes per hour. The concentration of Cd in river water remains below acceptable limits; however, the concentration of Pb in river water is beyond the water quality requirements set by the Indonesian government. Analysis of Cd and Pb metals in mesoplastic reveals elevated concentrations compared to new plastic (control) and the levels of Pb and Cd metals in Deli River water. Pearson correlation tests indicate a significant correlation between the concentration of Cd in mesoplastic and Cd in water, but no such correlation is observed for Pb metal. Environmental factors, the interaction between polymer type and metal in absorption capacity, the presence of additional sources of pollution in river water, and the age of the plastic are just a few that have an impact on the presence of metal in existing mesoplastic and water.