ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN SEDIMENTS IMPACTED BY COAL WASTE ALONG THE COAST OF WEST ACEH

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the presence of heavy metals—mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu)—in sediments impacted by coal waste along the coastal areas of West Aceh. The research aimed to determine the concentrations of these metals and assess the sediment grain size at three beaches: Peunaga Pasie, Peunaga Rayeuk, and Peunaga Cot Ujung, located in Meureubo District, West Aceh Regency. The study was carried out in March 2024.

Samples were collected using the purposive sampling method, with sediment cores taken to a depth of 10 cm at three stations. The analysis of metal concentrations was performed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) at the Environmental Laboratory of the Chemical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University. The results revealed that mercury (Hg) was not detected (<0.0001 mg/kg) at any of the stations. Copper (Cu) concentrations ranged from 2.677 to 3.249 mg/kg, remaining below the quality standard of 65 mg/kg. However, manganese (Mn) levels, ranging from 19.64 to 23.43 mg/kg, exceeded the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC, 2000) quality standard of 5 mg/kg. Grain size analysis, conducted using the sieving method, identified the sediments at all stations as fine sand. These findings highlight the potential environmental risks associated with manganese pollution and provide baseline data for further monitoring and management of coastal sediments in the region.