In the heart of Indonesia, a recent study has cast a spotlight on the marine environment of Plawangan Timur, a coastal area within the Segara Anakan lagoon in Cilacap. The research, led by Abdul Haris from the Research Center for Process and Manufacturing Industry Technology under the National Research and Innovation Agency, has uncovered significant levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the region’s sediments. Published in the journal ‘Ilmu Kelautan’ (which translates to ‘Marine Science’), the findings have implications for both the ecological health of the area and the maritime industries operating there.
PAHs are a group of chemicals that occur naturally in crude oil and coal. They’re also formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, and other organic substances like tobacco and charbroiled meat. In this study, Haris and his team analyzed sediment samples from seven stations in Plawangan Timur. They found that the total amount of PAHs ranged from 185 to 1289.9 milligrams per kilogram of dry sediment, with an average of 1016.97 mg.kg-1 (dw). That’s a lot of PAHs, and it’s a cause for concern.
The study found that high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were more prevalent than low molecular weight (LMW) ones. This is significant because HMW PAHs are often associated with pyrogenic sources, like the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, while LMW PAHs are typically petrogenic, originating from petroleum and its products. The researchers used diagnostic ratios to determine the origin of the PAHs, finding that they came from a mix of sources, including petrogenic, pyrogenic, and pyrolytic origins.
So, what does this mean for the maritime sectors operating in and around Plawangan Timur? Well, the high levels of PAHs pose a significant ecological risk, which could have negative consequences for marine life and the broader ecosystem. This could, in turn, impact fisheries and other marine-based industries that rely on a healthy ecosystem.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The study also highlights opportunities for improvement. As Haris puts it, “It is urgently necessary to handle PAHs pollution due to their relatively high content in sediments.” He suggests several strategies to tackle this issue, including improving the management of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for industry, optimizing the role of mangrove forests in reducing pollution, and building and increasing collaboration between related agencies in the prevention of marine oil spills.
For maritime professionals, this could mean new opportunities in environmental management and pollution control. It could also mean a greater focus on sustainable practices and the development of technologies to mitigate the impact of PAHs on the marine environment.
In the meantime, the findings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of monitoring and managing marine pollution. As Haris notes, “The average concentration value of each PAHs is higher than the values for the Effect Range Low (ERL) and Effect Range Median (ERM) ranges.” This indicates a very high level of pollution, and urgent action is needed to address it.
So, while the study paints a concerning picture of the current state of Plawangan Timur’s marine environment, it also offers a roadmap for improvement. And for maritime professionals, it’s a call to action to play their part in protecting and preserving our precious marine ecosystems. After all, as the old saying goes, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” It’s time to start paying back that loan.