Surface water quality analysis on the bauxite mining operations in Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Environmental contamination, especially the degradation of surface water quality as an impact of bauxite mining activity becomes a severe problem for the environment in Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. One of the impacts of bauxite mining is red mud that causes the degradation of surface water quality. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of environmental management activities in Central Kalimantan. Pollution Index retrieved from the surface water samples taken from Keruing River, Icik River, and Cempaga Hulu River was implemented as the analysis method in this research. The results of surface water quality analysis showed that the pollution index for Keruing River, Icik River, and Cempaga Hulu River were 2.64, 2.62, 2.66 respectively. The pollution index results between 1-5 indicated that all rivers were in the light pollution category. In conclusion, the environmental management in this area is still required to improve the surface water quality by creating a good management system for wastewater generated from mining activities.