Mercury and Cyanide Pollution on the Aquatic Organism in Sekotong People Gold Mining

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine the pollution of mercury and cyanide in gold mining conducted by Sekotong people. Samples of this research were water and the aquatic organism around in people gold mining consisting of Acetes indicus, Perna viridis, Polymesoda expansa, Plotosus canius, Scylla serrata, Tegillarca granosa, Moolgarda seheli, and Crassostrea gigas. The content of mercury in the samples can be known using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (ASS). In the same way, in order to know the content of cyanide in the samples can be obtained using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectrophotometry. The results showed that Sekotong people’s gold mining has been contaminated with mercury and cyanide in aquatic and animal environments exceeding the specified threshold value with the highest level of mercury 48.91 ppm and cyanide 90.22 ppm.