Anna Rakhmawati, Bernadetta Octavia, Siti Marwati
The widespread use of disposable face masks because of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the environment. This study aims to (1) evaluate weight loss masks; (2) calculate the release of microfibers; (3) count the total number bacteria on masks; and (4) establish the relationship between different mask types, newly manufactured masks, and used masks degradation in different physicochemical condition, respectively. Analysis with a Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) also supported mask deterioration. A black duckbill and a blue surgical mask were acquired from a local market. Yogyakarta’s Parangtritis Beach seawater and Wanatirta Mangrove water were used to conduct a preliminary analysis of the degradation of a face mask dumped in the marine environment. Thirty days were spent incubating masks with a 5 cm diameter in 20 ml water under a static condition at room temperature. There is no weight loss with any treatment. Used masks release more microfiber and total bacteria than new masks. After 30 days in seawater and mangrove water, the masks did not wholly disintegrate, according to the results. © 2025 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
