Continue to monitor and manage air quality

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 106 views

Analysis of Pollution Level and Mapping Distribution of Parameter Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) in the Belawan Port Area (PT. Pelindo I)

Introduction

The Belawan Port Area, managed by PT. Pelindo I, is a bustling hub of international trade and commerce. Located in a strategic position, only 13.5 km from the international shipping lane of the Malacca Strait, the port is a center for industrial activities, transportation, and community activities that have the potential to produce pollutants. This study aims to map the concentration of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the Belawan Port Area and analyze the relationship between wind speed, humidity, and air temperature to the concentration of CO and PM2.5.

Background

The Belawan Port Area is a major industrial and commercial center in Indonesia, with a high volume of cargo and passenger traffic passing through it every day. The port's strategic location makes it a hub for international trade, with many ships and vessels passing through it daily. However, this high level of activity also generates a significant amount of pollutants, including CO and PM2.5. These pollutants can have serious health implications for people living and working in the area, and can also have negative impacts on the environment.

Methodology

This study used a combination of field measurements and data analysis to map the concentration of CO and PM2.5 in the Belawan Port Area. Eight sampling points were established at the port site, representing residential areas, industry, public facilities, and roadside. Sampling was done in the morning and evening, and the data obtained were processed using Surfer 15 and Microsoft Excel software for correlation analysis and hypothesis testing.

Results

The mapping results show that the concentration of CO in the Belawan Pelindo I area varies, with the lowest value of 1145 µg/nm³ and the highest is 8015 µg/nm³. This figure is obtained from the sampling point located in the residential path that is traversed by many motorized vehicles. However, all the measurement points are still below the established quality standard, which is 10,000 µg/nm³.

Meanwhile, the value of PM2.5 when converted to measurement for 24 hours ranges from 4.79 µg/nm³ to 23.42 µg/nm³. When compared with the specified quality standards of 55 µg/nm³, all PM2.5 measurement points also do not exceed the specified threshold.

Discussion

From the measurement results in the Belawan Port area, it can be concluded that although there are quite dense activities and potentially polluting the air, the concentration of CO and PM2.5 in this area is still below the threshold that is safe for health. This shows that efforts to manage air quality at the port are quite effective, although it still needs regular monitoring.

There are several factors that can affect pollutant concentrations, such as wind speed, humidity, and air temperature. High wind speed can help thin the concentration of pollutants in the air, while moisture and temperature can affect the formation and distribution of particles. This research opens opportunities for deeper studies about how these meteorological factors interact with air pollution, and can be a basis for better environmental policy making in the port and surrounding areas.

Conclusion

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made:

Continue to monitor and manage air quality: Regular monitoring of air quality is essential to prevent potential health impacts.
Implement environmentally friendly public transportation: Increasing the use of environmentally friendly public transportation can help reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Improve traffic arrangements: Better traffic arrangements can help reduce congestion and emissions.
Reduce emissions from industrial activities: Reducing emissions from industrial activities can help improve air quality and public health.
Educate the community and industry players: Educating the community and industry players about the impact of air pollution can help raise awareness and promote behavior change.

Future Research Directions

This study has opened up several opportunities for future research, including:

Deeper studies on the interaction between meteorological factors and air pollution: Further research is needed to understand how wind speed, humidity, and air temperature interact with air pollution.
Development of better environmental policy making: This study can be a basis for better environmental policy making in the port and surrounding areas.
Implementation of more effective air quality management strategies: Further research is needed to develop more effective air quality management strategies.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sampling points: The study only used eight sampling points, which may not be representative of the entire port area.
Limited data collection period: The study only collected data for a limited period, which may not be representative of the entire year.
Limited analysis of meteorological factors: The study only analyzed the relationship between wind speed, humidity, and air temperature to the concentration of CO and PM2.5, and did not explore other meteorological factors that may affect air pollution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has provided valuable insights into the concentration of CO and PM2.5 in the Belawan Port Area. The results show that while there are potential sources of pollution in the area, the concentration of pollutants is still below the threshold that is safe for health. However, it is essential to continue to monitor and manage air quality in the area to prevent potential health impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pollution Level and Mapping Distribution of Parameter Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) in the Belawan Port Area (PT. Pelindo I)

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to map the concentration of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the Belawan Port Area and analyze the relationship between wind speed, humidity, and air temperature to the concentration of CO and PM2.5.

Q: What are the potential sources of pollution in the Belawan Port Area? A: The potential sources of pollution in the Belawan Port Area include industrial activities, transportation, and community activities.

Q: What are the health implications of high levels of CO and PM2.5? A: High levels of CO and PM2.5 can have serious health implications, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and even death.

Q: What are the quality standards for CO and PM2.5? A: The quality standards for CO are 10,000 µg/nm³, and for PM2.5 are 55 µg/nm³.

Q: What are the results of the study? A: The study found that the concentration of CO in the Belawan Pelindo I area varies, with the lowest value of 1145 µg/nm³ and the highest is 8015 µg/nm³. The value of PM2.5 when converted to measurement for 24 hours ranges from 4.79 µg/nm³ to 23.42 µg/nm³.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings? A: The study's findings suggest that while there are potential sources of pollution in the area, the concentration of pollutants is still below the threshold that is safe for health. However, it is essential to continue to monitor and manage air quality in the area to prevent potential health impacts.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study? A: The study recommends continuing to monitor and manage air quality, implementing environmentally friendly public transportation, improving traffic arrangements, reducing emissions from industrial activities, and educating the community and industry players about the impact of air pollution.

Q: What are the future research directions of the study? A: The study suggests that further research is needed to understand how wind speed, humidity, and air temperature interact with air pollution, to develop better environmental policy making, and to implement more effective air quality management strategies.

Q: What are the limitations of the study? A: The study has several limitations, including limited sampling points, limited data collection period, and limited analysis of meteorological factors.

Q: What are the implications of the study's limitations? A: The study's limitations suggest that the findings may not be representative of the entire port area, and that further research is needed to confirm the results.

Q: What are the next steps for the study? A: The next steps for the study include continuing to monitor and manage air quality, implementing the recommendations of the study, and conducting further research to confirm the results.

Q: How can the community and industry players contribute to reducing air pollution in the Belawan Port Area? A: The community and industry players can contribute to reducing air pollution in the Belawan Port Area by implementing environmentally friendly practices, reducing emissions from industrial activities, and promoting the use of public transportation.

Q: What are the benefits of reducing air pollution in the Belawan Port Area? A: The benefits of reducing air pollution in the Belawan Port Area include improved public health, reduced environmental impacts, and increased economic benefits.