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JURNAL HURRIAH: Jurnal Evaluasi Pendidikan dan PenelitianJURNAL HURRIAH: Jurnal Evaluasi Pendidikan dan Penelitian

Small-scale gold mining activities in Dava Village predominantly rely on mercury (Hg) during the amalgamation process, posing a significant risk of groundwater contamination in surrounding residential areas. This study aims to analyze mercury concentrations in well water using nine sampling points representing locations near tailings disposal sites, amalgam burning areas, and residential zones. Mercury concentrations were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results of the study showed that all samples exceeded the water quality standards in accordance with the Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023 for mercury (<0.001 ppm), with the highest concentrations detected at sampling points S6, S9, and S2, which are located closest to mining activities. The spatial distribution demonstrates a strong correlation between artisanal gold mining practices and elevated Hg contamination in shallow aquifers. Mercury mobility and accumulation are influenced by environmental factors such as open tailings infiltration, surface runoff, atmospheric deposition from amalgam burning, and pH variations. Prolonged exposure to mercury-contaminated water poses serious health risks, including neurological disorders, kidney damage, and developmental impairments. These findings confirm that traditional gold processing without proper waste management presents substantial threats to environmental quality and public health. Therefore, mitigation measures such as reducing mercury use, improving tailings management, and implementing regular groundwater quality monitoring are urgently required to minimize future exposure.

This study demonstrates a strong association between gold processing activities and elevated mercury concentrations in groundwater, indicating substantial environmental contamination.The spatial distribution of mercury suggests that post-processing land conditions, including unmanaged tailings disposal, seepage from processing ponds, and atmospheric deposition from amalgam burning, contribute to mercury input into shallow aquifers.Effective mitigation measures, such as mercury reduction strategies, improved tailings management, and routine groundwater monitoring, are essential to minimize long-term exposure risks and support sustainable environmental management.

Penelitian lebih lanjut perlu dilakukan untuk memahami secara komprehensif dampak jangka panjang paparan merkuri dari kegiatan penambangan emas skala kecil terhadap kesehatan masyarakat di Desa Dava. Studi ini dapat dilakukan dengan membandingkan tingkat merkuri dalam sampel biologis (rambut, darah, urin) dari kelompok terpapar (penambang dan penduduk sekitar) dengan kelompok kontrol yang tidak terpapar. Selain itu, penelitian perlu menginvestigasi efektivitas berbagai metode remediasi untuk mengurangi konsentrasi merkuri dalam air tanah yang terkontaminasi, seperti penggunaan bahan adsorben alami atau teknologi fitoremediasi. Terakhir, penting untuk mengembangkan model prediksi penyebaran merkuri di lingkungan berdasarkan data hidrologi, geokimia, dan meteorologi untuk mengidentifikasi area yang paling rentan dan merancang strategi pencegahan yang lebih efektif.

  1. Marine Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury | Chemical Reviews. marine cycling mercury chemical reviews... pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cr050353mMarine Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury Chemical Reviews marine cycling mercury chemical reviews pubs acs doi 10 1021 cr050353m
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