Efforts to Control Pollution

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 147 views

Introduction

White shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) is one of the most valuable fisheries commodities in the world, and its high economic value makes it a primary target for fishermen in the Belawan area of North Sumatra Province. However, the Belawan waters, which are an estuary for several rivers that flow from the city of Medan, are close to industrial areas, ports, and settlements, making them a potential place exposed to inorganic pollutants such as lead metal (Pb) and cadmium (CD). These pollutants can accumulate in white shrimp and settle in the basic sediment of aquatic ecosystems, posing a threat to human health and the environment.

Research Background

The Belawan waters are a critical ecosystem that supports a diverse range of marine life, including white shrimp. However, the increasing industrial and human activities in the area have led to concerns about the impact of pollution on the environment and human health. Lead and cadmium are two of the most common heavy metals found in industrial waste, and their presence in white shrimp and sediment can have serious consequences for human health and the environment.

Research Objectives

The primary objective of this study is to analyze the content of lead and cadmium in white shrimp (P. merguiensis) and sediment in Belawan waters, North Sumatra Province. Through sampling from three stations, this analysis seeks to provide a clear picture of the level of heavy metal pollution in the region and to identify the potential risks to human health and the environment.

Methodology

Sampling was carried out at three different stations in the Belawan waters, where each station was taken both white shrimp and sediment. The analysis process was carried out in the Medan Regional Health Laboratory using the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The data collected was then analyzed descriptively by comparing the results with quality standards based on BPOM Regulation No. 5 of 2018 concerning Crustaceans and Guidelines for the Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment regarding sediment quality standards.

Results and Discussion

The results of the analysis showed that the average level of Pb metal in white shrimp ranged from 0.012 to 0.058 mg/kg and CD levels between 0.0164 to 0.058 mg/kg. Both of these results are still below the specified quality standard, which is 0.2 mg/kg for Pb and 0.1 mg/kg for CDs. On the other hand, in sediment, the average level of Pb metal ranges from 4.44 to 6.69 mg/kg and CD levels range from 0.031 to 0.036 mg/kg. Both are also below the permitted limit, which is 30.2 mg/kg for Pb and 0.7 mg/kg for CDs.

Further analysis shows a positive correlation between Pb and CD heavy metal content in white shrimp with sediment, with a R value of 0.60 for Pb and 0.41 for CDs. This shows that the higher the heavy metal content in sediment, the more likely the accumulation of heavy metals in white shrimp. This correlation is important to understand how pollution in the environment affects the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable information about the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters. Although the results of the analysis show that the level of heavy metal lead and cadmium in white shrimp and sediment are still below the permitted limit, continuous monitoring is still needed to maintain the quality of the environment. Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained. Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to ensure that the quality of the environment is maintained.
Awareness and Education: Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained.
Efforts to Control Pollution: Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.
Research and Development: Further research and development are needed to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited Sampling: The study was limited to sampling from three stations in the Belawan waters, which may not be representative of the entire region.
Limited Analysis: The study only analyzed the level of Pb and CD heavy metals in white shrimp and sediment, and did not consider other potential pollutants.
Limited Data: The study was limited by the availability of data, which may not be sufficient to draw definitive conclusions.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Long-term Monitoring: Long-term monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.
Multi-Metal Analysis: Multi-metal analysis of white shrimp and sediment is necessary to understand the impact of multiple pollutants on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.
Economic Analysis: Economic analysis of the impact of pollution on the fisheries industry is necessary to understand the economic implications of pollution on the region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable information about the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters. Although the results of the analysis show that the level of heavy metal lead and cadmium in white shrimp and sediment are still below the permitted limit, continuous monitoring is still needed to maintain the quality of the environment. Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained. Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The primary objective of this study is to analyze the content of lead and cadmium in white shrimp (P. merguiensis) and sediment in Belawan waters, North Sumatra Province. Through sampling from three stations, this analysis seeks to provide a clear picture of the level of heavy metal pollution in the region and to identify the potential risks to human health and the environment.

Q: What methods were used to analyze the heavy metal content in white shrimp and sediment?

A: The analysis process was carried out in the Medan Regional Health Laboratory using the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The data collected was then analyzed descriptively by comparing the results with quality standards based on BPOM Regulation No. 5 of 2018 concerning Crustaceans and Guidelines for the Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment regarding sediment quality standards.

Q: What were the results of the analysis?

A: The results of the analysis showed that the average level of Pb metal in white shrimp ranged from 0.012 to 0.058 mg/kg and CD levels between 0.0164 to 0.058 mg/kg. Both of these results are still below the specified quality standard, which is 0.2 mg/kg for Pb and 0.1 mg/kg for CDs. On the other hand, in sediment, the average level of Pb metal ranges from 4.44 to 6.69 mg/kg and CD levels range from 0.031 to 0.036 mg/kg. Both are also below the permitted limit, which is 30.2 mg/kg for Pb and 0.7 mg/kg for CDs.

Q: What is the significance of the positive correlation between Pb and CD heavy metal content in white shrimp with sediment?

A: The positive correlation between Pb and CD heavy metal content in white shrimp with sediment shows that the higher the heavy metal content in sediment, the more likely the accumulation of heavy metals in white shrimp. This correlation is important to understand how pollution in the environment affects the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings have several implications, including:

Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to ensure that the quality of the environment is maintained.
Awareness and Education: Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained.
Efforts to Control Pollution: Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.
Research and Development: Further research and development are needed to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Limited Sampling: The study was limited to sampling from three stations in the Belawan waters, which may not be representative of the entire region.
Limited Analysis: The study only analyzed the level of Pb and CD heavy metals in white shrimp and sediment, and did not consider other potential pollutants.
Limited Data: The study was limited by the availability of data, which may not be sufficient to draw definitive conclusions.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include:

Long-term Monitoring: Long-term monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.
Multi-Metal Analysis: Multi-metal analysis of white shrimp and sediment is necessary to understand the impact of multiple pollutants on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.
Economic Analysis: Economic analysis of the impact of pollution on the fisheries industry is necessary to understand the economic implications of pollution on the region.

Q: What are the recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders?

A: The recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders include:

Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to ensure that the quality of the environment is maintained.
Awareness and Education: Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained.
Efforts to Control Pollution: Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.
Research and Development: Further research and development are needed to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.

Q: What are the implications for human health and the environment?

A: The study's findings have several implications for human health and the environment, including:

Risk to Human Health: The presence of heavy metals in white shrimp and sediment poses a risk to human health, particularly for those who consume these products regularly.
Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems: The presence of heavy metals in white shrimp and sediment can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems, including the health of fish and other marine life.
Economic Implications: The presence of heavy metals in white shrimp and sediment can have economic implications for the fisheries industry, including the loss of revenue and the impact on local communities.

Q: What are the next steps?

A: The next steps include:

Continued Monitoring: Continued monitoring of the level of heavy metal pollution in Belawan waters is necessary to ensure that the quality of the environment is maintained.
Awareness and Education: Awareness of the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystems needs to be improved, so that the survival of white shrimp and other fishery products is maintained.
Efforts to Control Pollution: Efforts to control pollution and management of wise fisheries resources are the key to a better future for Belawan waters and local fishermen.
Research and Development: Further research and development are needed to understand the impact of pollution on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of fishery products.