The Influence Of Community Habits On Microfiber Abundance In The Water Washing Water Around The Deli River In Medan City

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The Influence of Community Habits on Microfiber Abundance in the Water Washing Water around the Deli River in Medan City

Introduction

The Deli River, which flows through the urban area and the suburbs of Medan, is a silent witness to various community activities, including clothing laundering. This study aims to analyze the existence of microfibers in the water washing water around the river, taking into account the pattern of habits that include the volume of water use, washing methods, and the use of chemicals when washing. Understanding the relationship between microfiber abundance and community habits is very important, given the impact on the environment and health.

The Problem of Microplastic Pollution

Microplastic, including microfiber, is a new pollutant consisting of synthetic polymers and often comes from damaged textile materials when washed. Microplastic pollution has become a significant concern worldwide, as it can harm aquatic life and contaminate the food chain. In this study, we focus on the impact of community habits on microfiber abundance in the water washing water around the Deli River.

Methodology

Sampling was carried out in six different locations based on national standards (SNI) and preparation in the laboratory uses vacuum filtration techniques and desiccators. Identification of microplastic fiber types is carried out using FTIR and microscopes, while the number of microfibers is calculated using a microscope. Relationship of Patterns of Public Habits with Microfiber Abundance is analyzed using SPSS software, with significance testing carried out through Pearson correlation at a 95% confidence level.

Results

The results showed that the water washing water around the Deli River contains various types of microplastic, including polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic, with dominance in the form of fiber. The average abundance of microfibers in the washing water of people who washing manually reaches 2627.5 particles per person per washing time, while for the use of washing machines it reaches 3985.9 particles per person per washing time. This finding indicates that the more water used and the more often the method of washing that is less environmentally friendly is applied, the higher the abundance of the detected microfiber.

Correlation between Community Habits and Microfiber Abundance

This study also found that microfiber abundance has a positive correlation with the pattern of community habits, especially in terms of water use and washing methods, as well as negative correlation with the level of surfactant used. In other words, increased water use and changes in washing methods directly contribute to the increasing number of microfibers carried into the aquatic system, while the use of fewer surfactants can help reduce the impact of microfiber pollution.

Implications and Recommendations

The importance of public awareness of the impact of the habit of washing the environment cannot be ignored. Education on the use of more environmentally friendly washing materials and effective washing techniques can be the first step in reducing the abundance of microfiber in the Deli River. Collaborative efforts between the community, the government, and related institutions also need to be done to preserve the Deli River and the health of the surrounding ecosystems.

Conclusion

Through this research, it is hoped that higher awareness can be built among the people about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness, while creating a more sustainable lifestyle. Reduction of microfiber use is not only beneficial for environmental health but also for overall public health.

Recommendations for Future Research

Future research should focus on the development of more effective methods for reducing microfiber pollution, such as the use of microfiber-reducing washing machines and the implementation of extended producer responsibility for textile manufacturers. Additionally, further studies should investigate the impact of microfiber pollution on human health and the development of policies to mitigate the effects of microfiber pollution.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the limited number of sampling locations. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include more sampling locations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between community habits and microfiber abundance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between community habits and microfiber abundance in the water washing water around the Deli River. The findings of this study suggest that community habits, particularly water use and washing methods, play a significant role in determining microfiber abundance. Therefore, education and awareness-raising efforts are necessary to promote environmentally friendly washing practices and reduce microfiber pollution.

References

  • [1] SNI (2018). Standard for Water Quality.
  • [2] FTIR (2019). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.
  • [3] SPSS (2020). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Appendix

  • Table 1: Sampling locations and water quality parameters.
  • Table 2: Microplastic fiber types and abundance.
  • Figure 1: Relationship between community habits and microfiber abundance.
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Microfiber Abundance in the Water Washing Water around the Deli River in Medan City

Q: What is microfiber pollution?

A: Microfiber pollution refers to the presence of microplastic fibers in the environment, particularly in water bodies. These fibers come from damaged textile materials when washed and can harm aquatic life and contaminate the food chain.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study aims to analyze the existence of microfibers in the water washing water around the Deli River, taking into account the pattern of habits that include the volume of water use, washing methods, and the use of chemicals when washing. Understanding the relationship between microfiber abundance and community habits is very important, given the impact on the environment and health.

Q: What are the main findings of this study?

A: The study found that the water washing water around the Deli River contains various types of microplastic, including polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic, with dominance in the form of fiber. The average abundance of microfibers in the washing water of people who washing manually reaches 2627.5 particles per person per washing time, while for the use of washing machines it reaches 3985.9 particles per person per washing time.

Q: What is the correlation between community habits and microfiber abundance?

A: This study found that microfiber abundance has a positive correlation with the pattern of community habits, especially in terms of water use and washing methods, as well as negative correlation with the level of surfactant used. In other words, increased water use and changes in washing methods directly contribute to the increasing number of microfibers carried into the aquatic system, while the use of fewer surfactants can help reduce the impact of microfiber pollution.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between community habits and microfiber abundance in the water washing water around the Deli River. The findings of this study suggest that community habits, particularly water use and washing methods, play a significant role in determining microfiber abundance. Therefore, education and awareness-raising efforts are necessary to promote environmentally friendly washing practices and reduce microfiber pollution.

Q: What are the recommendations for reducing microfiber pollution?

A: The study recommends the following measures to reduce microfiber pollution:

  • Education and awareness-raising efforts to promote environmentally friendly washing practices
  • Use of microfiber-reducing washing machines
  • Implementation of extended producer responsibility for textile manufacturers
  • Development of policies to mitigate the effects of microfiber pollution

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the limited number of sampling locations. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include more sampling locations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between community habits and microfiber abundance.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on the development of more effective methods for reducing microfiber pollution, such as the use of microfiber-reducing washing machines and the implementation of extended producer responsibility for textile manufacturers. Additionally, further studies should investigate the impact of microfiber pollution on human health and the development of policies to mitigate the effects of microfiber pollution.

Q: What are the policy implications of this study?

A: The study highlights the need for policy interventions to mitigate the effects of microfiber pollution. Governments and regulatory agencies should develop policies to promote environmentally friendly washing practices, reduce microfiber pollution, and protect the environment and human health.

Q: What are the implications for public health?

A: The study suggests that microfiber pollution can have negative impacts on human health, particularly through the ingestion of microplastic fibers. Therefore, reducing microfiber pollution is essential for protecting public health and preventing the adverse effects of microplastic pollution.