Heavy metal and water quality at settling ponds of a post-mining area after

reclamation and revegetation at Cibadak Sukabumi, Indonesia

Muhammad Mujahid 1, Iis Diatin 2, * and Juang Rata Matangaran 3
1 Department of Fisheries Resources Utilization Graduate School of IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
2 Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
3 Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.

World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 624–628

Publication history: Received on 26 November 2021; revised on 29 December 2021; accepted on 31 December 2021

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0748

Abstract
We analyzed the heavy metals and water quality of a post-mining area of silica for material of cement factory. The
research was located in the Cibadak district, Sukabumi West Java Indonesia. The water sampling method was carried
out in two locations, namely a large settling pond and a small settling pond. Water quality parameters were analyzed
such as pH, alkalinity, turbidity, total organic matter, and total ammonia nitrogen. The results showed that the water in
both pond contents heavy metals. The heavy metals in the form were Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead
(Pb), Arsen (As), Ferrum (Fe), and Cromium (Cr6+) in the both settling ponds. However, in small ponds there was a
higher Fe value so the water is yellowish. There is a difference in acidity showed in the two ponds, pH 3-4 in the small
pond and the large pond pH 7-8. Total organic matter was higher in large pond. Small settling pond has a very low pH
value, so they are classified as acidic waters and contain high iron content so they cannot be used for human needs or
aquatic life. Large settling ponds can still be used for aquaculture activities.

Keywords: Settling-pond; Water quality; Heavy metal; Post-mining area

1. Introduction
Open pit mining is a mining activity that is generally carried out above the surface. Mining begun after excavation of soil
and rocks that cover mineral content. Open pit mining activities usually use heavy equipment to excavate soil and rock
on top of the mineral, and then a dredging machine will extract the minerals. Open pit mining causes acid mine drainage
and changes in water quality in and around the mine area. This water occurs due to the influence of natural oxidation
of sulfide minerals contained in exposed rocks during mining. This process produces water that has a low pH which has
the potential to dissolve heavy metals from the rock.

The acid mine drainage usually flow through to the settling pond. At the mining area settling pond is made which
functions to accommodate acid mine water formed as a result of open-pit mining. Ponds can also be used for various
purposes other than water can also be used for fish farming. The life of aquatic communities is influenced by the quality
of the aquatic environment. Water quality parameters that have a major influence on the life of aquatic biota are physical
and chemical factors. In addition to these factors, heavy metal content can reduce water quality and pollute the
environment. Water becomes toxic for aquatic organism [1]. Open pit mining can change the water quality and quantity
of the water. Some research showed that settling pond can be used for fish farming [2] [3]. This research was conducted
to measure the heavy metal and water quality of two settling ponds at a post-mining area.


Corresponding author: Iis Diatin
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 624–628

2. Methods

2.1. Location
The research was conducted at settling pond of a post-mining area. One of the silica quarries manage by a company
located in Cibadak Sukabumi West Java Indonesia with an area approximately 70 hectares. There were two settling
ponds located in the ex-silica mining area. The small settling pond is about 0.1 hectare (small) and the large settling
pond about 0.5 hectare (large).

2.2. Revegetation
The area around the settling have been revegetated with some trees. Data of the species and number of trees were
planted collected from the mining office. The company tried to restoring the ecosystem through reclamation and
revegetation. The area was designed to become a plantation forest. After three years planting 38,900 trees have been
grown with dominated by Pinus merkusii tree species, and another tree species also growing well were Gmelina
(Gmelina arborea), Trembesi (Samanea saman), and Puspa (Schima wallichii).

2.3. Water quality and heavy metal measurement

The parameter of water quality such as water temperature, pH, alkalinity, Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN), turbidity and
Total Organic Matter (TOM) were measured. The water temperature was measured using thermometer, pH were
measured using pH meter. Alkalinity, TAN, turbidity and TOM were measured using spectrophotometer regarding to
method establish by APHA [4]. Heavy metal was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (SSA) method.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Water quality

Table 1 The water quality in both settling pond of post-mining area

No Parameter of water quality Settling pond (large) Settling pond (small)

1 pH 7.5-8.0 3.5-3.7
2 Alkalinity (mg/L) 54.14 0
3 Total Ammonia Nitrogen/ TAN (mg/L) 0.025 0.023
4 Turbidity (NTU) 4.0 27.0
5 Total organic matter /TOM (mg/L) 8.66 24.55

Acidity or pH of water at the large settling pond was 7.5 – 8.0, and the small setting pond was 3.5-3.7. The small settling
pond was very acid water compare with the large settling pond. Acidity or pH is the result of measuring the activity of
hydrogen ions in water which shows the balance between acid and base. According to [5] pH is closely related to the
alkalinity content, the higher the pH value, the higher the alkalinity value. At a pH less than 5 the alkalinity may go
undetected. The toxicity of chemical compounds is also affected by pH. The normal pH value of a lake is 6-9. Natural
fresh water is in the 4-9 range. Surface water in general tends to be alkaline, while ground water is more acidic. The
maximum water pH range for fish production is 6.5 to 9 [6] The quality standard for drinking water is in the range of 6-
9 [7] while the pH of the water consumed is in the range of 7 – 8.5. If we drink water with a pH below 6.5, it means the
water is acidic, this is not good for the human body. The degree of acidity (pH) ideal or normal for humans is 7-7.4. The
human body is slightly alkaline, so with an ideal pH the body will be stronger in resisting disease, so the human body
should be more alkaline than acidic. If the pH is below 7 it is very dangerous because the body cannot tolerate an acid
imbalance for a long time, meaning that there is a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. Some of the symptoms that
usually occur if our blood is acidic, namely indigestion, fatigue, joint pain. High carbon dioxide will make breathing
difficult. The pH value of small settling ponds is very acidic so that it cannot be used for human needs and aquatic biota
life.

Alkalinity is a description of the capacity of water to neutralize acids, usually defined as the amount of base present in
the water, so it is also called the buffering capacity of changes in the pH of the waters. Alkalinity plays a role in

625
 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 624–628

determining the ability of water to support the growth of algae and other aquatic life, this is due to the influence of the
buffer system of alkalinity, so that alkalinity is an indication of water fertility. Very low pH values (acidic) in small
settling ponds, resulting in zero or undetectable alkalinity values (Table 1), while in large settling ponds the alkalinity
range is quite good for aquatic biota life. Alkalinity for fish farming is more than 20 mg/L [8], if it is less than 20 mg/L
the fish will be stressed [9], good alkalinity for fish is around 50 mg/L [10] .

Nitrogen is the main nutrient that affects water productivity. Natural sources of nitrogen come from rainwater
(precipitation), nitrogen fixation from water and sediments, and run-off from land and groundwater [11]. TAN
concentrations above 2 mg/L cause ammonia levels that are potentially harmful to aquatic biota when the pH is above
8 [10] [12]. The value of TAN (Table1) of both settling ponds were below 2 mg/L, it means the TAN were safe for aquatic
biota.

Turbidity at large settling pond was 4.0 NTU, it means the water can be used for fish farming and as drink water. At the
small settling-pond the turbidity was 27.0 NTU, it means the water can be used only for fish farming [13]. Turbidity is
caused by the presence of suspended and dissolved organic and inorganic materials such as mud and fine sand, as well
as inorganic and organic materials in the form of plankton and other microorganisms [4]. The smaller or lower the level
of turbidity of a water, the deeper the light can enter the water body and the greater the opportunity for aquatic
vegetation to carry out the photosynthesis process, the greater the supply of oxygen in the water. The turbidity value
produced in this study can be tolerated for aquatic life, but cannot be used for drinking water, because the quality
standard requirements for drinking water are below 5 (PRRI 2001). Good turbidity concentrations for fish farming
range from 25-50 NTU [14] or less than 20 mg/L [8] and range from 30-80 NTU [9].

Total Organic Matter (TOM) of the large settling pond was 8.66 mg/L and the small settling pond was 24.55 mg/L. Both
ponds showed that TOM still under the value 400 mg/L, it means the water can be used for aquatic biota. Sources of
organic matter in waters come from external and internal. Internal organic matter comes from the waters itself, while
external can be in the form of surface run-off, from the atmosphere, domestic waste and agricultural activities. Organic
matter in aquatic ecosystems is in the form of dissolved organic compounds to particulate organic matter in large
aggregates as well as from dead living organisms. Only a small amount of dissolved organic matter is directly used by
aquatic organisms, while the particulate form is the main food source. Decomposition of dissolved organic matter
produces final products in the form of gas and particulate organic matter which must be converted enzymatically by
certain microbes [11] so as not to disturb the waters. The value of organic matter content in settling ponds is still at the
tolerance threshold for aquatic life, which is below 400 mg/L [7].

3.2. The heavy metal

Metals are natural elements obtained from the sea, rock erosion, mining, volcanism and other industries. One of the
main sources of heavy metal income comes from mining activities. According to [15] the nature of heavy metal toxicity
can be grouped into 3 (three), namely; highly toxic consisting of elements Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn; medium toxic consisting
of Cr, Ni and Co; and is very low toxic consisting of Mn and Fe. Heavy metals are dangerous elements, so heavy metal
contamination in the environment causes toxicity to soil, air and water to increase. Heavy metals that often pollute
waters are Hg, Cr, Cd, as and Pb. Heavy metals that are toxic in water are Hg, Cd and Pb and the most toxic in waters are
As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Se and [16]. The concentration of heavy metals in sediments and waters should not exceed quality
standards, because they have an impact on humans who consume them.

Table 2 Heavy metal in the water of settling pond

No Heavy metal Settling pond (large) Settling pond (small)

1 Hg (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
2 Cd (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
3 Cu (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
4 Pb (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
5 As (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
6 Cr6+ (mg/L) < 0.001 < 0.001
7 Fe (mg/L) 0.071 2.213

626
 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 624–628

In the Table 2 showed that all heavy metal was very small concentrate except the Fe. The Fe showed 0.071 mg/L of the
water at large settling pond and 2.213 for the water at small settling pond. This Fe has to be considered because it is
dangerous for human and aquatic biota.

Metals are natural elements obtained from the sea, rock erosion, mining, volcanism and other industries. One of the
main sources of heavy metal income comes from mining activities. According to [15], the nature of heavy metal toxicity
can be grouped into 3 (three), namely; highly toxic consisting of elements Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn; medium toxic consisting
of Cr, Ni and Co; and is very low toxic consisting of Mn and Fe. Heavy metals are dangerous elements, so heavy metal
contamination in the environment causes toxicity to soil, air and water to increase. Heavy metals that often pollute
waters are Hg, Cr, Cd, as and Pb. Heavy metals that are toxic in water are Hg, Cd and Pb and the most toxic in waters are
As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Se and Ag [16]. The concentration of heavy metals in sediments and waters should not exceed quality
standards, because they have an impact on humans who consume them.

In animals, humans and plants, iron metal (Fe) is essential, less stable and slowly turns into ferrous (Fe 2+) or ferric
(Fe3+). In natural waters with a pH of about 7 and sufficient dissolved oxygen levels, ferrous ions which are easily soluble
are oxidized to ferric ions. At a pH of 7.5-7.7 ferric ions are oxidized and bind to hydroxides to form Fe (OH) 3 which is
insoluble and settles to the bottom of the water forming a reddish color on the bottom substrate. So that iron is found
in water with anaerobic conditions and acidic conditions. The toxicity of iron to fish ranges from 0.3-10 mg/L. Therefore,
iron is only found in waters under anaerobic (anoxic) and acidic conditions [11]. Iron content in natural waters ranges
from 0.05 - 0.2 mg/L [6]. Iron content > 1.0 mg/L is considered dangerous for aquatic organisms. Water intended for
drinking water should have an iron content of less than 0.3 mg/1 and water intended for agricultural purposes should
have an iron content of no more than 20 mg/L [17]. The lethal concentration (death) for fish ranged from 0.3-10 mg/L.
The quality standard for clean water, the permitted level of iron (Fe) for drinking water is 0.3 mg/L [7]. The results of
the study show that small settling ponds contain high levels of iron that are quite high and dangerous, this is marked by
yellowish red water, so it cannot be used for the needs of humans and aquatic biota.

4. Conclusion
Small settling pond has a very low pH value, so they are classified as acidic waters and contain high iron content so they
cannot be used for human needs or aquatic life. Large settling ponds can still be used for aquaculture activities.

Compliance with ethical standards

Acknowledgments
We thank to Mr. Upar the staff of forest revegetation and land reclamation of the post-mining area for the permission to
conduct the research and the data collection.

Disclosure of conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the main research, authorship and publication of this
paper.

References
[1] Simate GS, Ndlovu S. Acid mine drainage: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Environmental Chemical
Engineering. 2014; 2: 1785─1803.
[2] Bidayani E. Aquaculture analisys of Patin (Pangasius pangasius) and Dumbo catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
substitute result the formulated meals (pellets) with chicken guts, in Kolong (the lakes of tin mining activity).
Akuatik. 2007; 1(1): 21-26.
[3] Pagoray H, Ghitarina. Characteristic of water quality of coal post-mining pool which used for fish cultivation.
Ziraa’ah. 2016; 41(2): 276-284.
[4] APHA (American Public Health Association). Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater. 17th
edition. Washington DC. 1989.
[5] Mackereth FJH, Heron J, Talling JF. Water Analysis. Fresh Water Biological Assocoation. UK. 1989.

627
 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(03), 624–628

[6] Boyd C. Water Quality. In: Lucas JS and Southgate PC, editor. Aquaculture: Farming Aquatic Animals and Plants.
Second edition. US. Willey-Blackwell. 2012.
[7] PRRI (Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia) No 82 Tahun 2001. About water quality management and
water pollution control. Secretary of State of the Republic of Indonesia. Jakarta. 2001.
[8] Wedemeyer GA. Physiology of fish in intensive culture systems, New York, Chapman & Hall. 1996.
[9] Bhatnagar A. Devi Water quality guidelines for the management of pond fish culture. International Journal of
Environmental Sciences. 2013; 3(6): 1980─2009.
[10] Boyd C. Nitrification important process in aquaculture. Global Aquaculture Advocate. 2007; 10(3): 64-66.
[11] Cole GA. Texbook of Limnology. 3 rd edition. Waveland Press Inc Illinois. USA. 1988.
[12] Boyd CE. Nitrogen limiting factor in aquaculture production. Global Aquaculture Advocate. 2008; 11(2): 61-
62.
[13] Diatin I, Mujahid M, Teduh A, Matangaran JR. Ornamental carp fish cultured in settling pond after
revegetation of ex-silica mining area. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science. 2018; 41(3): 1071-
1084.
[14] Boyd CE. Particulate Matter, Color, Turbidity, and Light. In: Water Quality. Springer, Cham. 2015.
[15] Palar H. Heavy Metal Pollution and Toxicology. Rineke Cipta. Jakarta. 2004.
[16] Davis ML, Cornwell DA. Introduction Environmental Engineering. Second Edition. McGraw Hill Inc. New York.
1991.
[17] Moore JW. Inorganics Contaminants of Surface Water. Springer-Verlag. New York. 1991.

628