Environmental Management
A. Abubakar; H. Yusuf; M. Syukri; R. Nasution; M. Yusuf; R. Idroes
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medicinal plants growing in geothermal areas have been reported to possess relatively high concentrations of bioactive secondary metabolites, which have been attributed to the adaptive heat stress response. Nonetheless, the exploitation of their medicinal benefits is limited ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medicinal plants growing in geothermal areas have been reported to possess relatively high concentrations of bioactive secondary metabolites, which have been attributed to the adaptive heat stress response. Nonetheless, the exploitation of their medicinal benefits is limited by potentially life-threatening concentrations of heavy metals. Chromolaena odorata Linn, also called seurapoh, is a well-known medicinal plant that can absorb and accumulate heavy metals from the soil. This present study aimed to investigate the contents of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the ethanolic extract of Chromolaena odorata Linn leaves collected from a geothermal area in Aceh Province, Indonesia.METHODS: Three hot springs, namely Ie-Suum, Ie-Jue, and Ie-Brouk, located in the same geothermal area, Seulawah Agam, were selected as the sampling points, and three samples of Chromolaena odorata were collected at each point. Extraction was carried out by means of maceration employing ethanol solvent. The heavy metal contents of each extract were determined using priorly validated atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The maximum thresholds of each heavy metal from the Indonesian Agency for Drug and Food Control were adopted during data interpretation.FINDINGS: The results revealed the presence of trace levels of arsenic (0.0482 ± 0.004 – 0.0639 ± 0.007 milligram per kilogram) and lead (0.0219 ± 0.004 – 0.0672 ± 0.006 milligram per kilogram), which did not exceed Indonesian maximum safety thresholds (≤5 and ≤10 milligram per kilogram, respectively). Mercury in all samples was not observable (limit of detection = 0.018 milligram per liter). Cadmium was observed in almost all samples with a concentration range of 0.0219 ± 0.005–1.1472 ± 0.006 milligram per kilogram, which exceeded the maximum threshold (0.3 milligram per liter).CONCLUSION: Heavy metal contamination in the ethanolic extract of geothermal Chromolaena odorata leaves has been attributed to volcanic activities. Among the heavy metals of concern, cadmium was the only one with a concentration exceeding the safety limit. The presence of cadmium in the extract at a high concentration could cause its translocation to the human body, eventually leading to multiple organ damage. Therefore, the extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves collected from a geothermal area should be consumed with caution for possible cadmium intoxication.
Environmental Management
N. Nurhasanah; L. Sulistyowati; E. Riani; M. R. Cordova
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For enhanced environmental management of the Ciliwung River, toxic pollutions such as cadmium dan lead data are required. Cadmium and lead have widespread industrial applications. However, cadmium and lead are poisonous and classified as cancer-causing non-essential elements. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For enhanced environmental management of the Ciliwung River, toxic pollutions such as cadmium dan lead data are required. Cadmium and lead have widespread industrial applications. However, cadmium and lead are poisonous and classified as cancer-causing non-essential elements. Moreover, cadmium and lead accumulation in Ciliwung River-caught eels has not yet been examined. Consequently, it is essential to acquire the gathered data from this study. The primary objective of this study was to explore the accumulation of cadmium and lead in sediments and eel organs along the Ciliwung River and to estimate the weekly cadmium and lead intake from eel consumed by the people.METHODS: Sediment and eel samples were collected at six sampling locations ranging from the upstream, midstream, and downstream regions. Method of 3051a of the United States Environmental Protection Agency was applied to analyze the metal yield from the sediment samples and targeted eel organs (gills, digestive tract, and flesh). In addition, quality control and quality assurance standards were employed, and Certified Reference Materials were used to ensure the quality of data and instruments.FINDINGS: The average concentrations of cadmium (0.7825±0.3768 milligram per kilogram) and lead (36.9333±14.9040 milligram per kilogram) were greater than their natural levels. The average cadmium concentration in riverine sediment was below the interim sediment quality guidelines. However, the lead concentration exceeded the guidelines. The cadmium and lead accumulation patterns in the sediment and eels were found to be lowest in the upstream and found increased in the downstream are. In this case, the gills acquired the most concentration of cadmium (1.4571±0.3433 microgram per gram) and lead (43.2489±18.6775 microgram per gram). The fact that eel gills accumulated the highest cadmium and lead indicates the presence of heavy metals in their environment. The accumulation of cadmium and lead in the eel surpassed the permitted levels. According to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake estimation, this research showed 0.0328 milligram/week for the cadmium and 1.2826 milligram/week for the lead.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cadmium and lead in riverine sediments and eels in the Ciliwung River is believed to be predominantly the result of inefficient wastewater management. However, cadmium and lead pollution must be handled with extreme caution because it interferes with the physiological processes of the biota, hence decreasing the population of eels and posing a health risk if consumed. In general, Asian swamp eels from the Ciliwung River are still edible. As a result, it is hoped that enhanced management will reduce the number of pollutants entering the riverine ecosystem.
Environmental Management
L. Sulistyowati; N. Nurhasanah; E. Riani; M. R. Cordova
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heavy metals are categorized as hazardous pollutants due to their incapability in decomposing and undergoing bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Heavy metal pollution is a global issue, particularly in emerging nations such as Indonesia. In this case, sediments contribute ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heavy metals are categorized as hazardous pollutants due to their incapability in decomposing and undergoing bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Heavy metal pollution is a global issue, particularly in emerging nations such as Indonesia. In this case, sediments contribute to pollution dispersion because they can transport, mobilize, and redistribute toxic compounds. The Cisadane river is one of 15 watersheds in Indonesia with the highest restoration priority. Therefore, it is essential to conduct study on the sediment quality of this river. This investigation aimed to evaluate the levels of cadmium, chromium, and lead in the sediments to assess the conditions of the Cisadane River.METHODS: At eight stations (representing the midstream and downstream region), surface sediment samples were collected using a van Veen sediment grab based on the hypothesis that heavy metal pollution originated from land-based activities and migrated down river estuaries. The Thermo Scientific iCAP 7400 was utilized to assess heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, and lead) by adopting prior research methodologies and method guidelines.FINDINGS: Except for lead, which surpassed the interim sediment quality standard, the levels of heavy metals observed in the midstream and downstream sections of the Cisadane River were found to be well below the guideline level. In this case, lead was the metal with the highest concentration in the sediments of the Cisadane River, followed by chromium and cadmium. The enrichment of heavy metals in river sediments was most likely caused by soil leaching, municipal and industrial sewage, as well as land waste disposal. After the landfill area, there were two areas with the highest concentration. Therefore, this investigation indicated the existence of landfills as point sources of heavy metals. Regarding specifics, two sites following the landfill constitute the apex of heavy metal amplification.CONCLUSION: This analysis shows that the sediment's cadmium, chromium, and lead contents are below the standards' threshold and safe for the habitat. Cadmium, chromium and lead exceed sediment quality requirements in sample sites after landfills, assumed to be due to leachate discharge and landfill activities. This study further also reveals that landfills are point sources of heavy metals. In this case, the heavy metals are two to four times higher in one kilometer from the landfill's leachate discharge. Therefore, the Enforcement of the Indonesia Waste Law Number 18 Year 2008 would have replaced unsanitary dumping including implementation of physicochemical, biological, and combination remediation techniques, with a vastly superior waste management system.
