This research was conducted to analyze the content of Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb in several species of fish taken from three lakes that are close to the disposal of industrial waste in Indonesia. The fish samples were taken from three lakes, namely, Muara Angke, Weda, and Morowali. The samples from Morowali were analyzed in April 2019, those from Weda from November to December 2019, and those from Muara Angke in June 2018. All the samples were then analyzed at the Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Indonesia, and the Integrated Laboratory of IPB. The main results showed that all types of fish from Morowali and Weda were no longer safe to consume because they contained Fe, Cu, Cd, and Cr exceeding the threshold of metal contamination. Meanwhile, all types of fish from Muara Angke, except for
Every activity will always have an impact on the environment. The term impact itself varies from country to country; meanwhile, in Indonesia, according to the laws and regulations, it is interpreted as change. Change can be a positive direction which means a positive impact but can also be a negative direction which means a negative impact. The philosophy of sustainable development is to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts. The size of the activity and the complexity of the activity in the location of the activity will be highly correlated with the impact it will cause. Various activities that can lead to changes in landscape, changes in land use, and changes in land ownership and activities that have the potential to cause waste and environmental pollution must be anticipated from the beginning so that impact development can be continued.
Mining is an industry where in its activities it involves extracting mineral materials from the earth [
The development of industrial estates in the long term and the growing number of industrial sectors in the community, if not controlled, will have an impact on the regional structure and environmental pollution such as water pollution [
Several studies have been done to determine the metal pollutants contained by fish as it is a common meal consumed by humans [
The fish samples were taken from three lakes, namely, Muara Angke, Morowali, and Weda. The first five samples were taken from Morowali in April 2019, namely, the layur, sarong, tracan, taking, and krau fish species. The subsequent fish samples were taken from Weda in November 2019, namely, yellow selar, flying fish, oci, and yellow fish. Meanwhile, at Muara Angke, the fish samples consisted of ayam-ayam, black pomfret, red snapper, kuwe, mackerel, and mackerel tuna.
The fish samples from Morowali were analyzed in April 2019 at the Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Indonesia; the fish samples from Weda were analyzed from November to December 2019 in the same facility. Meanwhile, the fish samples from Muara Angke were analyzed in June 2018 at the Integrated Laboratory of IPB.
The tools used in this study were clear plastic bags, cool boxes, label paper, atomic absorption spectrophotometer cameras, ovens, digital balances, hotplates, filter paper, Petri dishes, porcelain mortars, desiccators, analytical scales, and common laboratory glassware. Data obtained from the measurements were analyzed by descriptive comparison with raw data of the National Standardization Agency, which set the limits of metal contaminant weight in fish meals.
Univariate analysis was performed by the data distribution for each variable, respectively. This presentation analysis was resulting the value that can represent the quality of the environment.
Sampling method: there were three kinds of fishes that were selected by both most captured by fisherman and most consumed by residents. The sampling technique was carried out 15 miles from the lakeside, by distributing three points in each 5 miles (Figures
The map of the study area: (a) Weda; (b) Morowali; (c) Muara Angke.
In this site, risk quotient (RQ) analysis was employed to measure health risk assessment by consumption of studied fish. 96 fishermen, who were ≥17 years old and had been domiciled at least one year in surrounding lakes, were selected according to the minimum sample size calculation [
Individual characteristics of respondents including body weight (Wb) and consumption rate (
The highest Fe content was found in taking (69.60 mg/kg). The highest Cu content was found in sarong (0.18 mg/kg). The highest Cd and Cr contents were found in krau (2.30 mg/kg and 8.41 mg/kg, respectively). No amount of lead was contained in all fish samples from Morowali (Table
Content of Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb in fish samples from Morowali.
Test sample | Fe (mg/kg) | Cu (mg/kg) | Cd (mg/kg) | Cr (mg/kg) | Pb (mg/kg) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Layur | 25.11 | ND | 1.93 | 3.37 | ND |
Sarong | 8.77 | 0.18 | ND | 4.42 | ND |
Tracan | 42.25 | 0.06 | ND | 5.28 | ND |
Taking | 69.60 | ND | ND | 7.72 | ND |
Krau | 65.42 | ND | 2.30 | 8.41 | ND |
ND: not detected.
The highest Fe content was found in yellow selar (24.15 mg/kg). The highest Cu content was found in yellow selar 3 (0.48 mg/kg). No traces of Cd, Cr, and Pb were contained in all fish samples from Weda (Table
Content of Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb in fish samples from Weda.
Test sample | Fe (mg/kg) | Cu (mg/kg) | Cd (mg/kg) | Cr (mg/kg) | Pb (mg/kg) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yellow selar (Weda) | 24.15 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Yellow selar 2 (Weda) | 21.16 | 0.47 | ND | ND | ND |
Yellow selar 3 (Weda | 20.54 | 0.48 | ND | ND | ND |
Flying fish (Sagen) | 7.24 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Oci (Sagen) | 15.12 | 0.13 | ND | ND | ND |
Small yellow selar (Lelilef) | 4.00 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Large yellow selar (Lelilef) | 4.97 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
ND: not detected.
The fish sample containing the highest Cd and Pb contents was ayam-ayam (0.0345 mg/kg and 0.428 mg/kg, respectively) (Table
Content of Cd and Pb in fish samples from Muara Angke.
Test sample | Cd (mg/kg) | Pb (mg/kg) |
---|---|---|
Ayam-ayam | 0.0345 | 0.428 |
Black pomfret | 0.0210 | 0.228 |
Red snapper | ND | 0.106 |
Kuwe | 0.0005 | 0.190 |
Mackerel | ND | 0.206 |
Mackerel tuna | 0.0005 | 0.142 |
ND: not detected.
The heavy metal content in a fish’s body is closely related to the disposal of industrial waste in and around the fish’s habitat, such as rivers, lakes, and seas [
The metal content in the fish samples from Morowali, from the highest to the lowest levels, was as follows: Fe, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Pb. When compared with data from the National Standardization Agency (2009) regarding Fe contamination in food, all the fish samples from Morowali exceeded the limit, which is 1 mg/kg. The Cr content in the fish samples was compared with data from the Director General of POM Decree No. 03725/B/SK/89 concerning Cr contamination in food; all the fish samples exceeded the threshold, which is 2.5 mg/kg [
The Cd content in layur and krau exceeded the limit of Cd contamination in food, which is 0.2 mg/kg [
The fish samples derived from Weda only contained Fe and Cu. When compared with data from the National Standardization Agency (2009) regarding the limit of Fe contamination in food, all the fish samples from Morowali exceeded the limit, which is 1 mg/kg. The Cu content in the fish samples was also compared with data from the National Standardization Agency (2009) regarding the limit of Cu contamination in food. The yellow selar (2 and 3) and oci exceeded the specified threshold, which is 0.02 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the results of the analysis did not show the presence of Cr, Cd, and Pb in all the fish samples from Weda. To sum, the fish samples from Weda that exceeded the threshold of metal contamination are no longer safe for consumption.
When compared with data from the National Standardization Agency (2009) regarding the limit of Pb contamination in food, only the ayam-ayam sample exceeded the threshold, which is 0.3 mg/kg. No level of Cd content in the samples exceeded the limit of Cd contamination in food. Thus, only the ayam-ayam is not safe for consumption.
The high concentration of Fe in all the samples from Morowali and Weda can be caused by several sources (i.e., apart from the land, human activities that occur on the mainland), for example, the discharge of domestic sewage containing iron, the water reservoir containing iron, industrial waste deposits, and the corrosion of water pipes containing ferrous metals leading to the ocean. Increasing concentrations of iron can also be caused by the erosion of mineral rocks from pounding waves and wind as well as the corrosion of rusting ships and ports [
Fe has an important role in the process of enzymatic oxidation, cytochromes, and respiratory pigments (hemoglobin), but the excess of Fe can lead to poisoning. It can cause vomiting, impaired intestines, premature aging to sudden death, irritability, arthritis, birth defects, bleeding gums, cancer, cirrhosis of the kidneys, constipation, diabetes, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, blackish skin, headaches, liver pain and failure, hepatitis, hyperactivity, infections, insomnia, mental health problems, metallic taste in the mouth, rheumatism, cytopenia, the impaired absorption of vitamins and minerals, and homochromia [
The high level of Cr contained in fish from Morowali can be caused by activities in the textile (e.g., fabric coloring), paint, leather tanning, metal coating, or battery industries. Cr infestation into the food chain deposited in fish can cause poisoning. Cr is an important nutrient in carbohydrate metabolism, but at higher concentrations, it can be toxic [
In addition, the presence of Cu in fish from Morowali and Weda can be derived from antifouling, widely used for fishing boats. Antifouling is used to seal the vessel and reduce damage to the boat by organisms. The existence of fish in poor environmental conditions can also cause the fish to accumulate heavy metals. Such a situation occurs because fishing locations are correlated with industrial waste and the transportation hubs of ships. The shipping industry and transportation are major sources of heavy metal pollution in waters.
Cd contamination in fish from Morowali and Muara Angke indicates the presence of Cd pollutants in these lakes. Cd contamination can be due to waste disposal by industries that use Cd for electric and galvanic coating processes as Cd is noncorrosive. Cd metal poisoning can be characterized by symptoms of back pain for several years and eventually osteomalacia or the softening of bone and spinal fractures.
The content of Pb in all samples from Muara Angke indicates Pb pollution caused by the contamination of fuel ships. Based on the analysis of Pb content in fish samples in Muara Angke, only ayam-ayam exceeded the limit of Pb contamination, while the other fish samples are still safe for consumption. However, overexposure to Pb can disrupt the hemopoietic, nervous, kidney, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems in the human body.
RQ is usually used to estimate the risk that can be impacting human health as a result of exposure. The RQ value represents both the noncarcinogenic and excess cancer risk (ECR) of carcinogenic effects [
CDI can be calculated by
With RfD = 4 × 10−3 mg/kg/daily, thus
According to the RQ result <1, it can be concluded that it is still quite safe to consume the ayam-ayam fish at the moment. In addition, if we calculate the duration of exposure for the long term, e.g., 10, 20, and 30 years further, RQ is still below 1 (Table
Risk quotient (RQ) in prospective duration estimation.
Health risk parameters | Ayam-ayam fish | |
---|---|---|
CDI (mg/kg/daily) | Real time | 0.000415 |
10 years | 0.000692 | |
20 years | 0.000968 | |
30 years | 0.001245 | |
RfD | 0.004 | |
RQ | Real time | 0.1038 |
10 years | 0.1729 | |
20 years | 0.2421 | |
30 years | 0.3113 |
Risk quotient (RQ) in prospective duration estimation.
By tailoring study findings, contribution of metals as the pollutant can be estimated. The ecological risk posed by the surface of the lake can be managed by mitigating sustainable development which concerned the healthy environment [
In conclusion, all types of fish from Morowali are no longer safe for consumption because they contain traces of Fe, Cu, Cd, and Cr that exceed the thresholds of metal contamination. All types of fish from Weda are no longer safe for consumption as well because they contain levels of Fe and Cu that exceed their respective thresholds. Meanwhile, all types of fish from Muara Angke, except
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request. This article’s content was previously made public on a preprint server
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
SWU, FR, BW, and HK conceptualized the study; SWU was responsible for methodology and resources and involved in project administration and funding acquisition; AA was responsible for software and visualized the study; SWU and AA validated the data; FR performed formal analysis and contributed to data curation; SWU and FR investigated the study and prepared the original draft; all authors reviewed and edited the manuscript; BW and HK performed study supervision. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
This study was supported by the Center for Environmental and Industrial Health Studies, Universitas Indonesia (PKKLI-UI). The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Aries Prasetyo, MPH, as the spatial cartographer on this study’s map.