Heavy metal (Pb, Hg, Cu) contamination level in sediment and water in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap, Indonesia

Abstract

Segara Anakan lagoon in Indonesia receives a variety of contaminants from numerous and various human activities. One of these was heavy metals, which were dangerous pollutants and will accumulate in the environment. This study aimed to determine the heavy metals content in sediment and water in the Segara Anakan lagoon. Those data were then scrutinized, whether they were toxic to the aquatic biota. Sampling was conducted at six observation stations every month. The heavy metals content was compared to the quality standard (set out by CCME and ANZECC & ARMCANZ for sediment, and the Decree of the Minister of Environment Number 51 of 2004 for water). The heavy metals in sediments were below the minimum limit (Pb (30.2; 50.0), Hg (0.13; 0.15), Cu (18.7; 65.0), all in mg.kg−1 units), except Cu showing higher value than quality standard at one observation. Other results, Pb and Cu in water, showed exceeding the quality standard (both were 0.008 mg/l). However, it was still within safe limits for most types of aquatic biotas. Overall, the three types of heavy metals in sediment were safe for aquatic biotas, while in water, only Hg can be clearly stated that it was safe.