Researcher

Ramli Utina

Types of research

Fundamental (DP2M)

Source of funds

DP2M Dit. Litabmas

Abstract

Gold mining in North Gorontalo district has an impact in aquatic ecosystem, that is waste of gold leaching process that still contain mercury (Hg) are discharged into the rivers to coastal area. Exposure of mercury into the aquatic ecological system has influence successive tropic levels. One of vertebrate organisms included in the ecological system of coastal waters that is water bird species which foraging in coastal habitats such as small fishes, crabs and other invertebrate. The process of food chain that took place in water pollution by mercury then mercury accumulation eventually exposed in the body of water birds. The objective of this research was to inventory the water birds species in the coastal areas and describe the exposure of mercury (Hg) in organs of water birds. This survey conducted to the coastal region of North Gorontalo district, Gorontalo Province. Data collection of water birds was in the Buladu and Ilangata coastal area. Data analysis to concentration mercury in the body of the water birds using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method’s on samples of the kidneys, liver and breast muscle tissue. This study find out four species of water birds that use more intensity coastal habitat include mercury concentrations (ppm) in organs of each species, namely: (1) Butorides striatus, exposure of mercury in the kidneys 0.22, liver 0.17, muscle chest 12.12; (2) Tringa melanoleuca, mercury in kidney 0.43, liver 0.31, chest muscles 0.31; (3) Actitis hypoleucos, mercury in kidney 0.19, liver 0.18, chest muscle 0.10; and (4) Pluvialis squatarola, mercury in kidney 0.11, liver 0.10, and chest muscles 0.10. This research have had indicated that there was water pollution in the river, also mercury in food chain of waterbirds living. Hopefully this data base would be subject for policy maker to natural resources development and biodiversity conservation as well as communitys’ empowerment.