Improved water quality supervision

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 82 views

Determination of Copper Metal Content (Cu), Cadmium (CD), Iron (Fe), and Magnesium (Mg) in the Tigan Derket River Post Eruption Mount Sinabung

Introduction

Water is an essential element for life, playing a crucial role in maintaining the survival of all living things. However, water pollution is a serious problem that can cause the entry of heavy metals that are toxic, have the potential to endanger the health of humans and the environment. Therefore, laboratory testing is needed to determine the levels of harmful metals in water sources. This study focuses on the measurement of the content of copper metal (Cu), cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), and Magnesium (MG) in river water in the Tigan Derket area, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, especially after the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

The eruption of Mount Sinabung has caused significant changes to the environment, including the water quality of the Tigan Derket River. The impact of the eruption on the water quality is a concern, as it can affect the health of the surrounding community. Therefore, it is essential to determine the levels of heavy metals in the water to ensure that it is safe for consumption. This study aims to investigate the content of copper metal (Cu), cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), and Magnesium (MG) in the Tigan Derket River post-eruption.

Methodology

Sampling was carried out at three different points and each point was carried out three times the repetition to ensure accurate results. The water samples were collected from the Tigan Derket River, and the analysis was conducted using standard laboratory procedures. The parameters analyzed included pH, turbidity, temperature, and heavy metal content (Cu, CD, Fe, and Mg).

Research Result

From the results of the study, water quality parameters at the three sampling points showed pH and turbidity (turbidity) that did not exceed the quality standard threshold set by the government. However, the temperature of the water is also checked and does not exceed the existing standards. The following are the details of the results of the analysis of heavy metal content in water:

Copper content (Cu): in the range of 0.000441-0,000602 mg/L, which does not exceed the government quality standard threshold, which is 0.02 mg/l as stipulated in Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001.
Cadmium content (CD): found in the range of 0.001492-0.001591 mg/L, which exceeded the government quality standard threshold of 0.01 mg/l. This shows the potential for health risks for the surrounding community.
Iron content (Fe): measured between 0.015491–0.017324 mg/L, which also did not exceed the quality standard threshold of 0.03 mg/l.
Magnesium content (Mg): found in the range of 0.015962–0.017895 mg/l. This content is quite safe and does not exceed the specified quality standard threshold.

Analysis of the Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution

The presence of cadmium content that exceeds the threshold is very worrying. Cadmium is a heavy metal that has the potential to cause various health problems, ranging from respiratory problems to kidney damage. Therefore, water quality supervision in this area needs to be improved, especially post-eruption, to prevent further pollution.

It is essential to involve the community in the process of supervision and counseling about the dangers of water pollution, as well as steps that can be taken to protect their water sources. Education about the need to maintain environmental cleanliness must also be done, in order to prevent dangerous waste and material from entering the water body.

Conclusion

From this study, it can be concluded that although most water quality parameters are within safe limits, special attention must be given to the cadmium content that has exceeded the quality standard threshold. This indicates the existence of pollution that needs to be dealt with to protect public health and preserve the environment around the Post-Erupted Tigan Derket river. With a tighter supervision and public awareness, it is expected that water quality can be maintained and the health of the community is protected.

Recommendation

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improvement of water quality supervision: The government and local authorities should improve the supervision of water quality in the Tigan Derket River, especially post-eruption, to prevent further pollution.
Community involvement: The community should be involved in the process of supervision and counseling about the dangers of water pollution, as well as steps that can be taken to protect their water sources.
Education and awareness: Education about the need to maintain environmental cleanliness must be done, in order to prevent dangerous waste and material from entering the water body.
Monitoring of heavy metal content: The heavy metal content in the water should be continuously monitored to ensure that it is within safe limits.

By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that the water quality in the Tigan Derket River can be maintained, and the health of the community can be protected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Determination of Copper Metal Content (Cu), Cadmium (CD), Iron (Fe), and Magnesium (Mg) in the Tigan Derket River Post Eruption Mount Sinabung

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of copper metal (Cu), cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), and Magnesium (MG) in the Tigan Derket River post-eruption of Mount Sinabung.

Q: Why is it important to determine the levels of heavy metals in the water?

A: Heavy metals can be toxic and have the potential to endanger the health of humans and the environment. Therefore, it is essential to determine the levels of heavy metals in the water to ensure that it is safe for consumption.

Q: What are the parameters analyzed in this study?

A: The parameters analyzed in this study include pH, turbidity, temperature, and heavy metal content (Cu, CD, Fe, and Mg).

Q: What are the results of the analysis of heavy metal content in water?

A: The results of the analysis of heavy metal content in water are as follows:

Copper content (Cu): in the range of 0.000441-0,000602 mg/L, which does not exceed the government quality standard threshold.
Cadmium content (CD): found in the range of 0.001492-0.001591 mg/L, which exceeded the government quality standard threshold.
Iron content (Fe): measured between 0.015491–0.017324 mg/L, which also did not exceed the quality standard threshold.
Magnesium content (Mg): found in the range of 0.015962–0.017895 mg/l, which is quite safe and does not exceed the specified quality standard threshold.

Q: What are the implications of the results of the analysis of heavy metal content in water?

A: The presence of cadmium content that exceeds the threshold is very worrying, as cadmium is a heavy metal that has the potential to cause various health problems, ranging from respiratory problems to kidney damage. Therefore, water quality supervision in this area needs to be improved, especially post-eruption, to prevent further pollution.

Q: What are the recommendations for improving water quality supervision?

A: The government and local authorities should improve the supervision of water quality in the Tigan Derket River, especially post-eruption, to prevent further pollution. The community should also be involved in the process of supervision and counseling about the dangers of water pollution, as well as steps that can be taken to protect their water sources.

Q: What are the benefits of this study?

A: The benefits of this study include:

Improved water quality supervision: The study highlights the need for improved water quality supervision in the Tigan Derket River, especially post-eruption.
Community involvement: The study emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the process of supervision and counseling about the dangers of water pollution.
Education and awareness: The study highlights the need for education and awareness about the dangers of water pollution and the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Limited sampling points: The study was conducted at only three sampling points, which may not be representative of the entire Tigan Derket River.
Limited analysis: The study only analyzed the levels of copper metal (Cu), cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), and Magnesium (MG) in the water, and did not analyze other parameters that may be relevant to water quality.

Q: What are the future directions for this study?

A: The future directions for this study include:

Expansion of sampling points: The study should be expanded to include more sampling points to ensure that the results are representative of the entire Tigan Derket River.
Analysis of other parameters: The study should be expanded to include the analysis of other parameters that may be relevant to water quality, such as bacterial and viral contaminants.
Long-term monitoring: The study should be continued to monitor the levels of heavy metals in the water over a long period of time to ensure that the water quality is maintained.