Increasing Sampling Points

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 129 views

Introduction

The Asahan River, located in North Sumatra, is an essential waterway that supports the livelihoods of local communities and provides a habitat for various marine life. However, the increasing industrial, agricultural, and mining activities in the surrounding areas have raised concerns about the potential impact on the river's water quality and the surrounding ecosystem. This study aims to analyze the levels of heavy metals, including Cadmium (CD), Cuprum (Cu), Cromium (Cr), Ferrum (Fe), Nickel (Ni), and Zinkum (Zn), in the Asahan River mouth sediments in Tanjung Balai using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (SSA).

Methodology

The study was conducted at three points with different distances from the coastline: one point is 3 miles, and the other two points are 4 miles and 5 miles. Sampling was carried out to collect sediment samples from each point. The analysis stages include drying samples in the open air for 3 days, scouring, sifting, heating in the oven at 105 ° C for 6 hours, dissolution of samples in concentrated nitric acid (HNO3), heating up to a temperature of 80 ° C for 30 minutes, cooling, cooling, cooling dilution, and finally the analysis uses an SSA machine.

Results

The analysis results show heavy metal content as follows:

*** Ferrum (Fe): 103,2465 mg/kg *** Zinkum (Zn): 27,4147 mg/kg *** Nickel (Ni): 4,8358 mg/kg *** Cuprum (Cu): 3,4597 mg/kg *** Cadmium (CD) and Cromium (CR): Not detected

Discussion

Based on the results of the analysis, it is known that the heavy metal content of CD, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn in the Asahan River Estuary sediment in Tanjung Balai has not exceeded the threshold value set by the Reseau National D'Pervation (RNO) in 1981 for sediment. This shows that the quality of sediment at the study site is still in the safe category and has not been significantly contaminated by heavy metals.

However, it is essential to note that this study only shows the latest conditions, and it is necessary to monitor regularly to see the dynamics of changes in heavy metal levels in the future. Factors such as industrial, agricultural, and mining activities around the river mouth have the potential to increase heavy metal levels in sediments. Periodic monitoring will help in determining effective environmental management strategies to prevent pollution and maintain the quality of ecosystems in the Asahan River mouth.

Conclusion

The analysis of heavy metal content in Asahan River estuary sediments can be used as a basis for increasing public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and reducing pollution. Thus, the quality of the environment in the Asahan river mouth can be maintained and beneficial for the survival of the ecosystem and the surrounding community.

Recommendations

Regular Monitoring: Regular monitoring of heavy metal levels in the Asahan River mouth sediments is necessary to determine the effectiveness of environmental management strategies and to prevent pollution.
Further Research: Further research needs to be done to analyze the effect of heavy metal content on marine life in the Asahan river mouth. Heavy metal bioaccumulation can have a negative impact on the health of marine life, including fish consumed by humans.
Public Awareness: Public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and reducing pollution is essential to maintain the quality of the environment in the Asahan river mouth.

Limitations

This study has some limitations, including:

Limited Sampling Points: The study was conducted at only three points with different distances from the coastline, which may not be representative of the entire Asahan River mouth.
Limited Analysis: The analysis was only conducted for six heavy metals, and other heavy metals may also be present in the sediments.
Limited Time Frame: The study only shows the latest conditions, and it is necessary to monitor regularly to see the dynamics of changes in heavy metal levels in the future.

Future Directions

Future studies should focus on:

Increasing Sampling Points: Increasing the number of sampling points to get a more representative sample of the Asahan River mouth sediments.
Analyzing Other Heavy Metals: Analyzing other heavy metals that may also be present in the sediments.
Long-Term Monitoring: Conducting long-term monitoring of heavy metal levels in the Asahan River mouth sediments to determine the effectiveness of environmental management strategies and to prevent pollution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable information about the levels of heavy metals in the Asahan River mouth sediments in Tanjung Balai. The results show that the heavy metal content of CD, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn in the Asahan River Estuary sediment in Tanjung Balai has not exceeded the threshold value set by the Reseau National D'Pervation (RNO) in 1981 for sediment. However, it is essential to monitor regularly to see the dynamics of changes in heavy metal levels in the future. Factors such as industrial, agricultural, and mining activities around the river mouth have the potential to increase heavy metal levels in sediments. Periodic monitoring will help in determining effective environmental management strategies to prevent pollution and maintain the quality of ecosystems in the Asahan River mouth.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to analyze the levels of heavy metals, including Cadmium (CD), Cuprum (Cu), Cromium (Cr), Ferrum (Fe), Nickel (Ni), and Zinkum (Zn), in the Asahan River mouth sediments in Tanjung Balai using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (SSA).

Q: Why is it important to analyze heavy metal content in sediments?

A: Analyzing heavy metal content in sediments is essential to determine the quality of the environment and to prevent pollution. Heavy metals can have a negative impact on the health of marine life, including fish consumed by humans.

Q: What are the potential sources of heavy metal contamination in the Asahan River mouth?

A: The potential sources of heavy metal contamination in the Asahan River mouth include industrial, agricultural, and mining activities around the river mouth.

Q: What are the threshold values for heavy metal content in sediments set by the Reseau National D'Pervation (RNO) in 1981?

A: The threshold values for heavy metal content in sediments set by the Reseau National D'Pervation (RNO) in 1981 are as follows:

Ferrum (Fe): 100,000 mg/kg
Zinkum (Zn): 50,000 mg/kg
Nickel (Ni): 10,000 mg/kg
Cuprum (Cu): 10,000 mg/kg
Cadmium (CD): 1,000 mg/kg
Cromium (Cr): 1,000 mg/kg

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings suggest that the heavy metal content of CD, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn in the Asahan River Estuary sediment in Tanjung Balai has not exceeded the threshold value set by the Reseau National D'Pervation (RNO) in 1981 for sediment. However, it is essential to monitor regularly to see the dynamics of changes in heavy metal levels in the future.

Q: What are the recommendations for future studies?

A: Future studies should focus on:

Increasing Sampling Points: Increasing the number of sampling points to get a more representative sample of the Asahan River mouth sediments.
Analyzing Other Heavy Metals: Analyzing other heavy metals that may also be present in the sediments.
Long-Term Monitoring: Conducting long-term monitoring of heavy metal levels in the Asahan River mouth sediments to determine the effectiveness of environmental management strategies and to prevent pollution.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has some limitations, including:

Limited Sampling Points: The study was conducted at only three points with different distances from the coastline, which may not be representative of the entire Asahan River mouth.
Limited Analysis: The analysis was only conducted for six heavy metals, and other heavy metals may also be present in the sediments.
Limited Time Frame: The study only shows the latest conditions, and it is necessary to monitor regularly to see the dynamics of changes in heavy metal levels in the future.

Q: What are the future directions for this study?

A: Future studies should focus on:

Increasing Sampling Points: Increasing the number of sampling points to get a more representative sample of the Asahan River mouth sediments.
Analyzing Other Heavy Metals: Analyzing other heavy metals that may also be present in the sediments.
Long-Term Monitoring: Conducting long-term monitoring of heavy metal levels in the Asahan River mouth sediments to determine the effectiveness of environmental management strategies and to prevent pollution.