Disturbed urban metabolism: ecological analysis of total suspended particulate (TSP) pollution load and the urgency of vegetation restoration on A.P. Pettarani street, Makassar

Abstract

A.P. Pettarani Street is a vital arterial road in Makassar City currently experiencing severe ecological pressure due to intensive anthropogenic activities. This study aims to analyze the pollution load of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) and evaluate the environmental carrying capacity using a novel methodological approach: Ecological Synthesis. The research employs a descriptive quantitative design utilizing secondary data from 2023. The analysis focuses strictly on the metabolic interaction between traffic volume (energy input) and TSP concentration (metabolic residue). The results indicate that the air ecosystem has reached a saturation point, with TSP concentrations at four out of six sampling sites exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard 230 μg/Nm³. The highest concentration was recorded in the dense commercial segment (R Square), reaching 301.64 μg/Nm³ The synthesis reveals a strong linearity (R²=0.678) between vehicle volume and pollution levels, confirming an ecosystem services deficit where the natural assimilation capacity fails to neutralize the emission load caused by the dominance of motorcycles and the "canyon effect" of the elevated toll road. This study recommends ecological intervention through the restoration of stratified green belts to rebalance the urban ecosystem.