The content of mercury in sediments around Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Bumela district, Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Gorontalo spread across several regions. One is located in the village Bumela, District Bilato, Gorontalo regency. The processing of gold at the mine site Bumela do with the amalgamation method. The purpose of this study is to assess the content of mercury in sediments around the ASGM Bumela. Sediment sampling sites in Totopo River, Motebo River and ASGM Bumela tailings. The number of sampling point sediment in the river are 15 points. The number of sampling point sediment in tailings location is 2 points. Sampling was done by varying the depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. To determine the concentration of mercury in the sediment used Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) without a flame in LPPMHP Gorontalo Province. The quality standard levels of mercury in the sediment used European Safety Standard. The average content of mercury in the sediment was 71.36 mg/kg. The average content of mercury in the tailings is 31.95 mg/kg. The content of mercury in Totopo River, Motebo River and the tailings are exceeding the quality standard of European Safety Standard.