Assessment of Particulate Matter Concentration and Their Metal Content in Urban Area of Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract

Atmospheric particulate matter poses significant risks to the environment and human health, depending on its mass concentration and chemical composition. This study aims to quantify the mass concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 µm (PM₁₀), as well as to determine their elemental composition. Particulate samples were collected from three ambient air monitoring sites within the City of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province, during the peak dry season (May to September 2025). The measured concentrations of PM₁₀ and TSP were evaluated against the Primary Impact Zone (PIA) standards of the Indonesian Air Quality (IAQ) guidelines. A high-volume air sampler (HVAS) was employed to collect particulate samples, and gravimetric analysis was conducted to determine their mass concentrations. The elemental composition of the particles was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The mean concentrations of PM₁₀ and TSP were 34.20 µg/m³ and 73.22 µg/m³, respectively. The findings indicate that the mean mass concentrations of both TSP and PM₁₀ were below the Indonesian regulatory standards, although temporal and spatial variations were observed. The identified elemental constituents included Al, Ca, K, Na, Rb, and Sr, suggesting contributions from crustal sources. These results provide valuable insights into the characteristics of particulate matter in residential areas of Makassar and support the development of improved, source-oriented air quality management strategies.