Phytoremediation as a Sustainable Solution for Mercury Contamination in Artisanal Gold Mining Sites

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Institut Teknologi Sumatera have made significant breakthroughs in sustainability research, highlighting the potential of phytoremediation as a low-cost and eco-friendly strategy for rehabilitation of mercury-contaminated environments in artisanal gold mining sites. The study, conducted in XYZ Village, Katibung Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency, Indonesia, demonstrated that water hyacinth and other plants can effectively remove mercury from water and soil, posing significant environmental and health risks. The findings suggest that phytoremediation can be an effective solution for mitigating mercury contamination in these areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) contributes significantly to mercury contamination, posing severe environmental and health risks due to improper disposal and release of mercury into soil and water.
  • Phytoremediation using Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce), and Cyperus rotundus (nutgrass) was shown to be effective in removing mercury from contaminated water and soil.
  • Water hyacinth demonstrated 100% mercury removal efficiency in water within nine days, while nutsedge reduced mercury levels in soil by 61.8% over 21 days.
  • The combined treatment of water hyacinth and water lettuce further enhanced mercury removal in water samples.
  • The study suggests that phytoremediation can be implemented in other areas with similar conditions, and future research should focus on optimizing phytoremediation techniques and integrating them into community-based environmental management.
  • The research was conducted by Muhammad Akbari Danasla and Chyndy Anjelita, with the support of Rizqi Arbi Julyanto.
  • The study has significant implications for sustainability research, highlighting phytoremediation as a sustainable solution for addressing mercury contamination in ASGM sites.

Statistics:

  • Mercury concentrations in water samples were 0.367 mg/L, exceeding national regulatory limits.
  • Soil samples had mercury concentrations of 74.8215 mg/kg, also exceeding national regulatory limits.
  • Water hyacinth demonstrated 100% mercury removal efficiency in water within nine days.
  • Nutsedge reduced mercury levels in soil by 61.8% over 21 days.
  • The combined treatment of water hyacinth and water lettuce resulted in enhanced mercury removal in water samples.

Sources:

  • Phytoremediation as a Sustainable Solution for Mercury Contamination in Artisanal Gold Mining Sites: Insights from ASGM in South Lampung, Indonesia. Jurnal Presipitasi, 2025,22(2):432-447. (Jurnal Presipitasi - http://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/presipitasi)
  • NewsRx. Researchers' from Institut Teknologi Sumatera Report Details of New Studies and Findings in the Area of Sustainability Research (Phytoremediation as a Sustainable Solution for Mercury Contamination in Artisanal Gold Mining Sites: Insights from ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 22, 2025; p 603.