Characteristics of soil physical, dust content, and estimation of soil carbon in the reclamation area of PT Semen Bosowa Maros

Abstract

Mining activities can cause problems with physical properties and decrease soil fertility, air pollution, and increased carbon emissions. Land reclamation is one way to overcome these problems. PT Semen Bosowa Maros (SBM), as a public company engaged in the mining and cement processing industry has succeeded in carrying out post-mining land reclamation and revegetation activities. Post-mining land reclamation and revegetation activities are expected to reduce environmental damage, so some important aspects studied include soil physical quality, dust content, and soil carbon. The study aimed to determine the characteristics of soil physical properties (soil texture, permeability, bulk density, organic matter), dust content, and soil carbon in the reclamation area of PT Semen Bosowa Maros, South Sulawesi. The research was conducted in Barugae Village, Bantimurung District, Maros Regency, through data collection in the form of soil samples, dust content, and soil carbon content in 4 observation plots. The study used a field observation method followed by analyzing sample results in the laboratory. The results showed that the soil texture class was dominated by clay texture, the highest soil permeability data was 6.12 cm/hour, the highest bulk density was 0.71 g/cm3, and the highest organic matter was 2.11%. While the highest dust content value is 0.00251 g/cm2. As well as the highest estimated value of soil carbon at 44.73 g/cm2. Information from this research is important for PT Semen Bosowa Maros. In particular, it can improve land conditions through post-mining land reclamation and revegetation activities.