POTENSI SEBARAN LIMBAH MERKURI PERTAMBANGAN EMAS RAKYAT DI DESA CISUNGSANG, KABUPATEN LEBAK, BANTEN

Abstract

The amalgamation in artisanal gold mining process in order to separate gold from the ore (gold-amalgam) will produce mercury waste. Poor waste management of mercury can pollute the environment. This research aims to identify a potential distribution pattern of mercury waste or tailing in Cisungsang village, Cibeber sub-district. Methods used are survei and spatial analysis. Samples taken from the research site are the gold miners (as subjects of research), sample of mercury waste, environmental samples (water, soil, fish, vegetables, and rice). The research results show that the use of mercury (100gr every tromol, every shift) has strong correlation (r = 0,791) with mercury concentrations in the waste ponds. Mercury concentrations in the liquid of waste ponds are 0,083-0,265 ppm and mercury concentration in the tailing (sludge) are 0,304-0,407 ppm. Researcher also develop a potential distribution pattern of mercury that consider slopes of 35% in the area, high precipitation, which can reach 4000 mm per year, and the condition of open waste ponds, which can speed up the mercury disposal process in the environment. Mercury concentration in the environment has exceeded the quality standard. Test result on environmental samples show that mercury concentration in fish is 1,66 ppm, in spinach is 4,61 ppm, and soil 0,0127 ppm .