Regular monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 27 views

Analysis of Lead Heavy Metals (Pb) and Cadmium (CD) in Gulamah Fish (Johnius Belangerii) in Belawan Waters of North Sumatra Province

Introduction

Belawan waters, located in North Sumatra Province, are a vital area for maritime activities, industrial operations, and shipping lanes. However, the intensive use of this area has led to a significant risk of pollution, particularly by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (CD). These pollutants can contaminate various components of aquatic ecosystems, including sediments and biota, such as gulamus fish (Johnius belangerii). This study aims to analyze the content of Pb and CD heavy metals in Gulamah and sediment in Belawan waters, and to evaluate the suitability of the heavy metal content with established quality standards.

Background

Heavy metals, such as Pb and CD, are toxic substances that can have serious potential hazards for human health and ecosystems. The presence of these pollutants in aquatic ecosystems can lead to bioaccumulation, which can result in the transfer of pollutants to humans who consume contaminated fish. In this context, it is essential to monitor water quality and aquatic biota to maintain the health of the ecosystem and the surrounding community.

Research Methodology

This research was conducted in June to July 2019, with sampling carried out in three different locations selected using the Purpose Sampling method. Measurement of Pb and CD metal content was carried out on gulam and sediment using the absorption method of atomic spectrophotometer (AAS). The data obtained were then analyzed descriptively to get a clearer picture of the level of pollution.

Research Result

The analysis shows that the average heavy metal content of Pb and CDs in Gulamah fish in the three different research stations. For station I, the Pb metal content was 0.176 mg/kg and CD 0.017 mg/kg. At station II, the Pb metal content was recorded at 0.084 mg/kg and CD 0.023 mg/kg, while at station III, the value was 0.057 mg/kg for Pb and 0.032 mg/kg for CDs.

Meanwhile, sediment analysis also shows a significant level of pollution. The average Pb metal content in sediments at stations I, II, and III was 4,484 mg/kg, 5,573 mg/kg, and 4,117 mg/kg. For cadmium, the average value was 0.034 mg/kg at station I, 0.036 mg/kg at station II, and 0.031 mg/kg at station III.

Analysis and Discussion

The emergence of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters can be associated with high industrial and shipping activities in the region. Heavy metals such as Pb and CD have a serious potential hazard for human health and ecosystems. This source of pollution can come from industrial waste, transportation, and other activities that have the potential to pollute water.

The content of Pb and CD metals in Gulamah fish shows that the fish has the potential to be an intermediary medium that can convey pollution to humans who consume them. In this context, it is essential to carry out routine monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota to maintain the health of the ecosystem and the surrounding community. In addition, the results of this study provide useful information for environmental management policies in Belawan waters.

Conclusion

From the research conducted, it can be concluded that Belawan waters face significant challenges related to heavy metal pollution, especially lead and cadmium. The content of heavy metals in gulam and sediment fish at the study site shows that there needs to be concrete steps to control pollution and maintain the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. Efforts to mitigate pollution, raising public awareness, and tighter policies in managing industrial waste are very important to implement.

Recommendations

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

Regular monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota: Regular monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota is essential to maintain the health of the ecosystem and the surrounding community.
Implementation of pollution control measures: Concrete steps need to be taken to control pollution and maintain the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
Raising public awareness: Raising public awareness about the risks associated with heavy metal pollution is essential to promote a culture of environmental responsibility.
Tighter policies in managing industrial waste: Tighter policies in managing industrial waste are necessary to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sampling locations: The study was conducted at only three sampling locations, which may not be representative of the entire Belawan waters.
Limited analytical methods: The study used only one analytical method (AAS) to measure the content of Pb and CD metals, which may not be sufficient to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pollution levels.
Limited data analysis: The study only analyzed the data descriptively, which may not provide a detailed understanding of the relationships between the variables.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Expanding the sampling locations: Future studies should expand the sampling locations to include more areas of Belawan waters to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pollution levels.
Using multiple analytical methods: Future studies should use multiple analytical methods to measure the content of Pb and CD metals to provide a more accurate understanding of the pollution levels.
Analyzing the data statistically: Future studies should analyze the data statistically to provide a more detailed understanding of the relationships between the variables.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the significant challenges related to heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters, particularly lead and cadmium. The content of heavy metals in gulam and sediment fish at the study site shows that there needs to be concrete steps to control pollution and maintain the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. Efforts to mitigate pollution, raising public awareness, and tighter policies in managing industrial waste are very important to implement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lead Heavy Metals (Pb) and Cadmium (CD) in Gulamah Fish (Johnius Belangerii) in Belawan Waters of North Sumatra Province

Q: What are lead (Pb) and cadmium (CD) heavy metals?

A: Lead (Pb) and cadmium (CD) are toxic heavy metals that can have serious potential hazards for human health and ecosystems. They are commonly found in industrial waste, transportation, and other activities that have the potential to pollute water.

Q: What is the significance of the study on lead and cadmium in gulamah fish in Belawan waters?

A: The study aims to analyze the content of Pb and CD heavy metals in gulamah and sediment in Belawan waters, and to evaluate the suitability of the heavy metal content with established quality standards. The study provides useful information for environmental management policies in Belawan waters.

Q: What are the sources of lead and cadmium pollution in Belawan waters?

A: The sources of lead and cadmium pollution in Belawan waters can come from industrial waste, transportation, and other activities that have the potential to pollute water. High industrial and shipping activities in the region are also associated with the emergence of heavy metal pollution.

Q: What are the effects of lead and cadmium pollution on human health and ecosystems?

A: Lead and cadmium pollution can have serious potential hazards for human health and ecosystems. They can lead to bioaccumulation, which can result in the transfer of pollutants to humans who consume contaminated fish. In addition, lead and cadmium can also contaminate sediments and other components of aquatic ecosystems.

Q: What are the recommendations for mitigating lead and cadmium pollution in Belawan waters?

A: The recommendations for mitigating lead and cadmium pollution in Belawan waters include:

Regular monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota: Regular monitoring of water quality and aquatic biota is essential to maintain the health of the ecosystem and the surrounding community.
Implementation of pollution control measures: Concrete steps need to be taken to control pollution and maintain the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
Raising public awareness: Raising public awareness about the risks associated with heavy metal pollution is essential to promote a culture of environmental responsibility.
Tighter policies in managing industrial waste: Tighter policies in managing industrial waste are necessary to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Limited sampling locations: The study was conducted at only three sampling locations, which may not be representative of the entire Belawan waters.
Limited analytical methods: The study used only one analytical method (AAS) to measure the content of Pb and CD metals, which may not be sufficient to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pollution levels.
Limited data analysis: The study only analyzed the data descriptively, which may not provide a detailed understanding of the relationships between the variables.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Expanding the sampling locations: Future studies should expand the sampling locations to include more areas of Belawan waters to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pollution levels.
Using multiple analytical methods: Future studies should use multiple analytical methods to measure the content of Pb and CD metals to provide a more accurate understanding of the pollution levels.
Analyzing the data statistically: Future studies should analyze the data statistically to provide a more detailed understanding of the relationships between the variables.

Q: What are the implications of the study for environmental management policies in Belawan waters?

A: The study provides useful information for environmental management policies in Belawan waters. The findings of the study highlight the need for concrete steps to control pollution and maintain the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. Efforts to mitigate pollution, raising public awareness, and tighter policies in managing industrial waste are very important to implement.