Assessment of Urban Air Quality in Indonesia

Muhayatun Santoso,Djoko Prakoso Dwi Atmodjo,Jen Supriyanto,Endah Damastuti,Tamrin Muhtarom,Nurhayana Dahyar,Philip K Hopke,Dimas Ageng Sutrisno,Timora Diliyani Sitorus,Jasmiyati Djamilus,Indah Kusmartini,Syukria Kurniawati,Agus Tjahyadi,Sukadi Parian,Diah Dwiana Lestiani,Dwi Wahyudi,Nurdian Wahyuni,I Gede Bejawan,Ahmad Riadi,Lalu Syakhrizal Suprayadi,Karelise Hogendorp,Stenly Sondakh,Nur Kholik,Rita A Mukhtar ,Dwi Kesuma Sari

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2019.09.0451

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed the urban air quality in 16 large Indonesian cities on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua from 2010 till 2017. 24-h samples of airborne particulate matter (PM) in two size fractions, PM2.5 (< 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) and PM2.5-10 (2.5–10 µm in aerodynamic diameter), were collected weekly using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler and then analyzed for their mass concentrations, black carbon (BC) content, and elemental compositions. The majority of the average annual PM2.5 concentrations measured at the Java sites (Bandung, Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya) exceeded the Indonesian annual ambient air quality standard (15 µg m–3), although the other tested locations, excluding Pekanbaru and Palangka Raya, exhibited values below the standard. During the forest fire episodes of 2015, the average daily PM2.5 concentrations in Pekanbaru and Palangka Raya rose above the national daily ambient standard (65 µg m–3). The percentage of BC, which is associated with traffic emission and biomass burning, averaged between 15% and 26% (a significant fraction) in the PM2.5. The concentrations of the major elements in the PM2.5, viz., Si, S, K, Fe, Zn, and Pb, varied widely from site to site, although all of the locations displayed enhanced levels of the crustal elements Si and S, which originated from unpaved roads and volcanic eruptions, and vehicle fuel, forest fires, and volcanic emissions, respectively. Significantly higher concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, and Pb in Surabaya and Pb in Tangerang) were found at the heavily industrialized sites, demonstrating the effect of local industrial emissions on air quality. Our results, which are based on a crucial survey of PM concentrations and compositions in Indonesia, provide a scientific basis for developing and improving various air quality policies in the nation, including an early warning system for severe pollution events.

Highlights

Air pollution has become an important global problem that requires serious attention because of its impact on human health and environmental quality (Brauer et al, 2016; Yin et al, 2017; Lelieveld et al, 2019)
Particulate Matter Concentrations Air pollution has received attention in several large cities in Indonesia because there is a tendency of decreasing air quality in these cities
There are ongoing programs that have been conducted to control it, the results obtained from this study showed that the air quality of several areas fell below the Indonesian standards especially for annual average PM2.5

Summary

Introduction

Air pollution has become an important global problem that requires serious attention because of its impact on human health and environmental quality (Brauer et al, 2016; Yin et al, 2017; Lelieveld et al, 2019). The degradation of ambient air quality, especially in major cities, needs major improvements. In Indonesia, air pollution is one of many serious environmental problems facing major cities due to the population growth, increasing economic activity, and associated transportation and industrial activities. The project developed various strategies for each issue related to urban air quality improvement on the national and local levels in several large cities (Bappenas, 2006). This program was not fully implemented due to the lack of financial resources and air quality expertise

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion