Heavy metal contamination suspected of causing mass mortality in seaweed cultivation in waters affected by mining waste

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 603 - 615, 30.09.2025

Zakirah Raihani Ya’la , Samliok Ndobe , Eka Rosyida , Marhawati Mappatoba , Maemunah Maemunah , Ali Husni , Tri Joko Santoso , Triyani Dewi , Dwi Juli Puspitasari

https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1512230

https://izlik.org/JA45TZ73MY

Abstract

There has been a decrease and a mass death of seaweed, especially in centers where mining exploitation is located. This study was conducted to analyze the content of hazardous heavy at seaweed cultivation locations around the mining area of Morowali Regency. The data collection technique in this study is observation—water measurement and sampling at nine stations. The collected data were then analyzed by the International Modification Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method 2005: 999.10, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS). The results showed that the heavy metal content in South Bungku Waters indicates that the heavy metal content is below the threshold the quality standard value based on PPRI no. 22 in 2021. Heavy metal content in Witaponda Waters and Bahodopi Waters indicates that the heavy metal content is above the threshold the quality standard value based on PPRI no. 22 in 2021. In Moahino Village was mercury (0.0036 mg/L) and lead (0.012 mg/L), in Ungkea Village was mercury (0.0018 mg/L) and lead (0.008 mg/L), in Emea Village was mercury (0.0079 mg/L), copper (0.009 mg/L), and lead (0.012 mg/L), in Bahodopi Village 1 was mercury (0.0024 mg/L), chromium (0.01 mg/L), copper (0.011 mg/L), and lead (0.013 mg/L), in Bahodopi Village 2 was mercury (0.0029 mg/L), chromium (0.02 mg/L), cadmium (0.002 mg/L), copper (0.012 mg/L), and lead (0.009 mg/L). It can be concluded that higher levels of heavy metals, which are more dangerous, can harm seaweed's cell structure. Seaweed productivity declines accordingly.

Keywords

Central Sulawesi Province , environmental damage , heavy metal , seaweed production

Ethical Statement

1. The author is responsible for the publication of the accompanying article. 2. We disclose that there are no potential conflicts of interest, either real or perceived, for any of the named authors. 3. All authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and consent to its submission for publication.

References

• R. I. Khaldun, “Pengembangan komoditas rumput lautmelalui kerja sama pemerintah daerahdan pelaku usaha di Sulawesi Tengah,” Bomba: Jurnal Pembangunan Daerah, Vol. 1(1), pp. 20-27, 2019.
• Z. R. Ya'La, J. C. Sintya, “Pemanfaatan limbah air teh terhadap pertumbuhan rumput laut gracillaria verrucosa,” Agroland: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian, Vol. 30(2), pp. 128-35, 2023.
• N. Nunes, S. Ferraz, M. Venuleo, A. I. R. N. A. Barros, and M. A. A. P. de Carvalho, “From a heavy metal perspective, is macroalgal biomass from Madeira Archipelago and Gran Canaria Island of eastern Atlantic safe for the development of blue bioeconomy products?,” Journal of Applied Phycology, Vol. 36(2), pp. 811-830, 2024.
• A. Lähteenmäki-Uutela, M. Rahikainen, M. T. Camarena-Gómez, J. Piiparinen, K. Spilling, and B. Yang, “European Union legislation on macroalgae products,” Aquaculture International, Vol. 29, pp. 487-509, 2021.
• A. H. Noer, “Model Dinamik Rantai Makanan Pada Ekosistem Mangrove di Laguna Tasilaha Model Dinamik Rantai Makanan Pada Ekosistem Mangrove di Laguna Tasilaha Model Dinamik Rantai Makanan Pada Ekosistem Mangrove di Laguna Tasilaha,” Media Litbang Sulteng, Vol. 2(2), 2009.
• X. Yang, Z. L. Wang, “Distribution of dissolved, suspended, and sedimentary heavy metals along a salinized river continuum,” Journal of Coastal Research, Vol. 33(5), pp. 1189-1195, 2017.
• R. Dixit, X. Wasiullah, D. Malaviya, K. Pandiyan, U. B. Singh, A. Sahu, R. Shukla, B. P. Singh, J. P. Rai, P. K. Sharma, and H. Lade, “Bioremediation of heavy metals from soil and aquatic environment: an overview of principles and criteria of fundamental processes,” Sustainability, Vol. 7(2), pp. 2189-2212, 2015.
• N. B. Saidon, R. Szabó, P. Budai, and J. Lehel, “Trophic transfer and biomagnification potential of environmental contaminants (heavy metals) in aquatic ecosystems,” Environmental pollution, Vol. 340, pp. 122815, 2024.
• S. Yudo, “Kondisi pencemaran logam berat di perairan sungai DKI Jakarta,” Jurnal Air Indonesia, Vol. 2 (1), pp. 246263, 2006.
• M. U. Khandaker, O. C. Nwokoma, N. A. B. Heffny, D. A. Bradley, A. Alsubaie, A. Sulieman, M. R. I. Faruque, M. I. Sayyed, and K. S. Al-Mugren, “Elevated concentrations of metal (loids) in seaweed and the concomitant exposure to humans,” Foods, Vol. 10(2), pp. 381, 2021.
• H. Znad, M. R. Awual, and S. Martini, “The utilization of algae and seaweed biomass for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated wastewater,” Molecules, Vol. 27(4), pp. 1275, 2022.
• D. Musiige, J. Mundike, and C. Makondo, “Evaluation of potentially toxic metals in tailings from Busia gold mine fields of eastern Uganda,” Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 469, pp. 143222, 2024.
• V. Martadiastuti, T. Winarno, J. Marin, and M. F. Abdillah, “Karakteristik profil endapan nikel laterit di blok x, Desa Korowou, Kecamatan Lembo, Kabupaten Morowali Utara, Sulawesi Tengah,” Jurnal Geosaintek, Vol. 9(1), pp. 16-28, 2023.
• A. Pasinringi, “Mining Conflicts in Central Sulawesi: coorporate and public policy review,” Journal of Asian Multicultural Research for Social Sciences Study, Vol. 2, pp. 20-27, 2021.
• A. Afandi, L. M. Fitria, and H. Efendi, “Integrasi spasial kawasan pesisir di Kabupaten Morowali,” MATRA, Vol. 3(1), pp. 1-0, 2022.
• A. Rusdin, “Research of the hydrological quality of nickel mining in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi Province,” Jurnal Geografi, Vol. 14(1), pp. 42-48, 2016.
• S. Santoro, H. Estay, A. H. Avci, L. Pugliese, R. Ruby-Figueroa, A. Garcia, M. Aquino, S. Nasirov, S. Straface, and E. Curcio, “Membrane technology for a sustainable copper mining industry: The Chilean paradigm,” Cleaner Engineering and Technology, Vol. 2, pp. 100091, 2021.
• M. Zaynab, R. Al-Yahyai, A. Ameen, Y. Sharif, L. Ali, M. Fatima, K. A. Khan, and S. Li, “Health and environmental effects of heavy metals,” Journal of King Saud University-Science, Vol. 34(1), pp.101653, 2022.
• Z. Rahman, V. P. Singh, “The relative impact of toxic heavy metals (THMs)(arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)) on the total environment: an overview,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 1(91), pp. 1-21, 2019.
• A. Odobašić, I. Šestan, and S. Begić. “Biosensors for determination of heavy metals in waters,” Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring, Vol.139, 2019.
• A. Asiah, A. Prajanti, “Pemantauan kualitas air laut akibat tumpahan pasir nikel di Perairan Teluk Buli, Halmahera,” Ecolab, Vol. 8(2), pp. 69-77, 2014.
• M. Saleem, J. Iqbal, Z. Shi, S. H. Garrett, and M. H. Shah, “Distribution and bioaccumulation of essential and toxic metals in tissues of Thaila (Catla catla) from a Natural Lake, Pakistan and its possible health impact on consumers,” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Vol. 10(7), pp. 933, 2022.
• S. B. Shah, “Heavy metals in the marine environment—an overview,” Heavy metals in Scleractinian corals, pp. 1-26, 2021.
• B. K. Shaughnessy, B. P. Jackson, and J. E. K. Byrnes, ”Evidence of elevated heavy metals concentrations in wild and farmed sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) in New England,” Scientific Reports, Vol. 13(1), pp. 17644, 2023.
• A. Siddiqua, J. N. Hahladakis, and W. A. K. A. Al-Attiya, “An overview of the environmental pollution and health effects associated with waste landfilling and open dumping,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Vol. 29(39), pp. 58514-58536, 2022.
• R. Parui, G. S. Nongthombam, M. Hossain, L. R. Adil, R. Gogoi, S. Bhowmik, D. Barman, and P. K. Iyer, “Impact of heavy metals on human health,” Remediation of Heavy Metals: Sustainable Technologies and Recent Advances, 2024.
• D. W. Lestari, “Analisis kadar nikel dan besi pada sedimen perairan pesisir Desa Fatufia, Kecamatan Bahodopi, Kabupaten Morowali, Sulawesi Tengah,” BIOMA: Jurnal Bıologı Makassar, Vol. 9(1), 2023.
• W. Wali, L. O. A. Afu, “Kandungan Logam Berat Nikel (Ni) Pada Sedimen Dan Air Di Perairan Desa Tapuemea Kabupaten Konawe Utara,” Jurnal Sapa Laut, Vol. 5(1), pp. 37-47, 2020.
• R. Jijie, G. Solcan, M. Nicoara, D. Micu, and S. A. Strungaru, “Antagonistic effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior and oxidative stress induced by toxic metals and deltamethrin acute exposure,” Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 698, pp. 134299, 2020.
• B. Gworek, W. Dmuchowski, and A. H. Baczewska-Dąbrowska, “Mercury in the terrestrial environment: a review,” Environmental Sciences Europe, Vol. 32(1), pp. 128, 2020.
• N. Syarifuddin, “Pengaruh industri pertambangan nikel terhadap kondisi lingkungan maritim di Kabupaten Morowali,” Jurnal Riset & Teknologi Terapan Kemaritiman, Vol. 1(2), pp. 19-23, 2022.
• V. P. Ningrum, “Environmental Law Enforcement in Law Number 32 of 2009 Concerning Environmental Protection and Management,” Asian Journal of Social and Humanities, Vol. 1(08), pp. 351-356, 2023.
• U. Okereafor, M. Makhatha, L. Mekuto, N. Uche-Okereafor, T. Sebola, and V. Mavumengwana, “Toxic metal implications on agricultural soils, plants, animals, aquatic life and human health,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 17(7), pp. 2204, 2020.
• H. Iromo, “Potensi dan kandungan logam berat tembaga (cu) dan besi (fe) pada kerang darah (Anadara granosa) di Kabupaten NunuKAN,” Jurnal Harpodon Borneo, Vol. 3(1), 2010.
• Y. Rochwulaningsih, S. T. Sulistiyono, N. N. Masruroh, and N. N. Maulany, “Marine policy basis of Indonesia as a maritime state: The importance of integrated economy,” Marine Policy, Vol. 108, pp. 103602, 2019.
• F. Sultana, M. A. Wahab, M. Nahiduzzaman, M. Mohiuddin, M. Z. Iqbal, A. Shakil, A. A. Mamun, M. S. Khan, L. Wong, and M. Asaduzzaman, “Seaweed farming for food and nutritional security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and women empowerment: A review,” Aquaculture and Fisheries, Vol. 8(5), pp. 463-80, 2023.
• S. García-Poza, A. Leandro, C. Cotas, J. Cotas, J. C. Marques, L. Pereira, and A. M. Gonçalves, “The evolution road of seaweed aquaculture: cultivation technologies and the industry 4.0,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 17(18), pp. 6528, 2020.
• M. J. Pérez, E. Falqué, and H. Domínguez, “Antimicrobial action of compounds from marine seaweed,” Marine Drugs, Vol. 14(3), pp. 52, 2016.
• H. Paiva, J. Yliniemi, M. Illikainen, F. Rocha, and V. M. Ferreira, “Mine tailings geopolymers as a waste management solution for a more sustainable habitat,” Sustainability, Vol. 11(4), pp. 995, 2019.
• F. Rao, Q. Liu, “Geopolymerization and its potential application in mine tailings consolidation: a review,” Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, Vol. 36(6), pp. 399-409, 2015.