The Implications of Physical Water Polution in The Tukad Buleleng’s Estuary (Buleleng Ex-harbor)
The Implications of Physical Water Polution in The Tukad Buleleng’s Estuary
(Buleleng Ex-harbor)
(I Wayan Sumartika)
Geography
Education Department
Ganesha University
of Education
A.
INTRODUCTION
Geography studies the
relationship between the elements of non biotic, biotic, and culture. The
harmonious relationship between the studied elements in Geography will produce
a harmonious life as well. Along with the rapid growth of the increasing
quantity of man on earth, the fulfillment of human needs will also increase.
Moreover, human nature which never feels satisfied increases the complexity of
human activity itself.
Humans are an individual living creature. That is, every human has distinctive characteristic which differ
to others. The difference characteristic is indicated by the different ways of
thinking, behavior, identity, and even physical appearance. Along with being
individual, humans are social creatures too. Human as social creature means in
fulfilling needs they require the assistance of others. In addition, as the
result of bearing those two statuses, humans perform certain activities to
fulfill their needs, both individual needs and collective ones.
Economic standpoint
describes the production process not only results products (goods), but also (waste) in the form of defective items or waste. The phenomenon of
social capillarity besides performing the process of production, distribution
activities, and consumption; human’s activities also results waste which we know as pollution and garbage.
Waste, pollution, and garbage are the materials that pollute the elements of non
biotic, biotic, and culture in certain places which have high social, economic
and tourism intensity activities.
Pollution is the
process of certain substances enters the environments which bring negative
impact toward it. Non biotic environment such as water, the air and the soil are
elements that often receive pollution from human activities. Pollution of water
is dangerous since water has a direct contact with human activities. The nature
of water that is frequently needed is not always available in every occasion,
at certain places and in certain static quality (Atmaja, 1995). However, water
has a high dynamics which more simply can be known through the understanding of
the water cycle. Water is not only available on the ground (soil) and sea, but
also in the air (hydrometeorology). The entirety of the water that is available
in every place has a great influence on the life on earth, especially humans.
Water is a natural
resource that has a very important function for human’s life and other living
creatures, so the quality of water must be maintained for the sake of the
present generation (PNMPLH No. 01Tahun
2010). Un-wise water usage by humans results in water pollution. Water
pollution is the inclusion of living creatures, substances, energy, and/or
other components into the air as the result of human activities that exceed the
set up waste-water quality standard (PPNLH
No. 01 Tahun 2010). There are four main parameters which are indicators in
determining whether the body of water suffered pollution or not. Those are
physical parameters, chemical parameters, biological and bio-chemical
parameters.
Water pollution commonly
occurs in larger cities. The development of the city is a reflection of human victory
over the earth as they do not rely on nature anymore (Sriartha, 2004). This
phenomenon has positive and negative effects. The impact of the development of
the city is the level of land used in the city and the way people consume goods
and services. The reported data indicates that the contamination of water
(river) from domestic waste and non-domestic ones in cities of developing
countries are very serious (Darmono, 2001). The
wastewater that is produced by the settlements (households) in the urban areas
is one of the biggest causes of the water pollution. The wastewater is one of
the domestic wastes, as the negative residual production result, produced by
the business and/or activities; it is usually in a form of liquid in which
becomes the dominant source of pollution (PMNLH No. 5 of 2014). The
characteristics of the city as the residential areas and the industrial
increase the water use itself. The use of water in the cities such as in the
household, tourism objects, factories, shops, malls, and so forth. The water
used being sourced from the springs, boreholes, and rivers. These human
activities will affect the quality and quantity of water itself that resulting
relatively the high water pollution.
Singaraja city is one of the coastal plain towns.
Besides being a coastal city, Singaraja are also an education city, a
government center city, and Buleleng economic center. Those Singaraja city
statuses reveal the characteristic community activities that affect the
environment itself, especially river water pollution. Every river that flows
through Singaraja; they empty into the Sea of Bali. The emptying of this river
water can be seen from the phenomenon of pollution itself. The pollution of the
river is cumulatively from upstream to downstream can be found in the estuaries
that directly adjacent with the marine waters; thus it is very dangerous for
marine life. In addition, in coastal areas, especially in estuaries, it often
experiences much pollution caused by the pollution that is processed very slow
(Darmono, 2001). The slow pollution process meant is that the accumulation of
substances that are difficult to be a normal pollution; it is due to the
accumulation of contaminants that is very high.
Buleleng estuary in the Kampung Tinggi coastal waters
is a dense residential area populated and the river estuary that divides the
city of Singaraja. Along the riverbanks is a very dense residential population;
the population’s activities are so high that enable create a large pollution
produced by domestic waste (Nurlita, 2014). The pollution happened in the
downstream have occurred in all estuary bodies of Tukad Buleleng, one of the
big rivers in Buleleng. However, when it is considered, the estuarine
conditions which connect directly to the beach area are not completely similar
getting a direct contact with the sea water; and of course it has a disparate
impact.
Tukad Buleleng is a large river that flows and divides
the Singaraja city. Tukad Buleleng is the river which has a length around
16,500 meters (Buleleng in Figures, 2015). Tukad Buleleng is one of springs
that affect the community's lives, there. The water of Tukad Buleleng which
empties near the Ex Buleleng Harbour observed that nowadays it is experiencing
a contamination or polution. The water characteristics of Tukad Buleleng that
flows near the residential communities mostly display the characteristics of
Tukad Buleleng that undergo the pollution. The importance of Tukad Buleleng
toward the local people’s lives surrounding is the thing that should be paid
attention by both of the government and society. There is the river pollution
phenomenon reflected from the water river estuary itself; in which it is a very
risky and dangerous if it is ignored. The level of pollution and its effects
toward the other components in the estuary of Tukad Buleleng are important to
be investigated.
The investigation of the Tukad Buleleng water
pollution estuary level used primary data collection techniques by conducting
observation. The observations were conducted three times during a single day
via two stations to obtain the temporal recording of the estuary water
pollution levels of Tukad Buleleng itself. The data collection used observation
sheets, thermometer, and a TDS meter. The data analysis used quantitative
descriptive analysis with the locations in Muara Tukad Buleleng (8.1031525o
S and 15.0900865o E).
B. DISCUSSION
Based on the data collection gathered in the previous
stage; the water pollution in the Tukad Buleleng estuary shows the dynamic
characteristics based on the dimension of time. The level of Tukad Buleleng
estuary water pollution can be analyzed through each of the parameters that
have been set as follows.
a.
Brightness and Color
The
quick dynamic is indicated by the parameter of Tukad Buleleng estuary. In the
morning, the brightness of water is quite clear but the color is quite dark.
The low level of pollution happens because of less domestic and non domestic
activities. In addition, this is also
caused by the wave neutralization and high tide phenomenon. The sea wave and
high tide phenomenon become a media of some materials which change the color of
the water into quite crystal one.
Different
with the above case, in the afternoon, the domestic activity is getting
increased. The color of Tukad Buleleng estuary water changes into old brown
with the clear degradation between sea water and river water. This color
gradation indicates that the adulteration process between sea water and river water run gradually. This gradual
adulteration happens because of the low river current and wave. In the
afternoon, the dark brown water indicates that the level of pollution is in the
culmination point compared with others time.
Last,
in the evening, the color of estuary water is dark young green. This special
green indicates that certain microorganism is undergoing rapid development
starting in the morning until in the evening. The maximal adulteration between
sea water and river water affects this kind of color.
b.
Smell
Based
on the smell which was observed by the researcher, it can be noted that the
water of Tukad Buleleng estuary was undergoing the serious pollution. The
normal water is the water without any smell. This is showed by the smell of
water in the Tukad Buleleng estuary. Based on the time dimension based
observation, both smelling water and non smelling water indicates the
sensitivity of human smelling. In the morning and in the evening, the estuary
water is odor of fish mixed with the salty aroma which brings steams of salt
from the sea. While in the afternoon, putrid smell is coming from the Tukad
Buleleng area. Therefore, after conducted an observation, the putrid smell is
caused by the death animals and mixed rubbish which floats on the river bank.
c.
TDS and Turbidity
The
turbidity which is able to be counted mathematically through TDS measurement is
undergoing fluctuation rate. Generally, from the two samples taken in the
morning, afternoon, and evening show the significant differences. The first sample was taken from the water
near the sea, while the second sample was taken from the Tukad Buleleng
estuary. The result is, the first sample shows the low level of pollution because
the TDS number is below 100uS. But in other hand, the second sample which is
not mix yet shows the high level of pollution with the number is upper
than100uS in TDS measurement. If the water indicates the number 1000-2000uS in
TDS, it can be concluded that the water belongs to 5 (E) type. The water with E
type is not recommended to be used with the previous type. Means that, this
type of water is not good to be consumed, washed, or even used in agriculture
and fishery.
The
graph which shows dynamism of TDS in Tukad Buleleng estuary seemingly refers to
the phenomenon heading to equilibrium. If the TDS in the first sample and the
second sample are accumulated, they will not show the different result. It
means that the dynamic still happens instead of some physical factors, such as
the wave, river flow, the number of pollutant, and others type of physical
aspect.
d.
Temperature
Temperature
is the most abstract parameter in the process of measurement. The measurement
of temperature usually uses thermometer as an instrument. The dynamic of temperature
happens in the range of time, in the morning until afternoon as the critical
water pollution. If the water temperature deviation between 3-5oC, it can be
concluded that, the water belongs to E type and very dangerous for all organism
especially in the estuary. The organism which lives in the estuary needs high
adaptable ability to survive from the drastic temperature change.
The water temperature is affected
by some factors, and mostly the factor which significantly affects the
temperature is the intensity of solar radiation. The water reaches the highest
temperature in every morning. The other
factor which affects the water temperature in Tukad Buleleng estuary is the
characteristics of the ocean and land. In the evening, the sun inclines through
the west after radiating the water with high intensity. The characteristic of the ocean which absorb
a lot of heat during the day influences the water of estuary to keep warm,
since both of water from ocean and estuary are mixed in the night. Based on the data gained on the temperature
measurement of the water during the day through the night, it can be seen that
there is no significant deviation caused by those factors. So, the organisms
that live in the water can adapt even with their low ability.
The intensity of pollution
especially the garbage are not measured by the particular instrument however,
it is measured by the physical visual based on the time of appearance. The water is belonged to a good quality when
there is no garbage on it. In the other side, the water which there is garbage
on it is categorized as impure water. It can be conclude that the Tukad
Buleleng estuary have impure water.
The intensity of garbage volume is
different based on the time whether in the morning, noon or evening. In the
morning, the garbage appeared in Tukad Buleleng estuary shows the lowest
quantity. At that moment, the water looked cleaner. People activities around
the river are not seen much so, there is no garbage yet there. Besides that,
the estuary has been neutralized by the tide water of the ocean along the night
before. All of that garbage has been
carried and distributed by the tide water trough the beach line.
The quantity of garbage from
during the day until the evening has increased significantly. It can be
concluded that the increased of the human activities are in line with the
increased of the quantity of the garbage. The highest quantity of the garbage
appeared in the estuary happened in the evening. Many different kind of garbage
can be seen at that time. We can see leaf litter, twigs, wood, animal
carcasses, leftover fruits such as durian, rambutan and orange appeared in the
estuary. The other garbage which can be found are the rest of sanitary napkins,
broken triplex, which settles in the bottom of clothing, cigarette butts,
dolls, residual food packaging and many more. Both of organic or inorganic
garbage have the same percentage. Based on the parameters of garbage, water
pollution in the Tukad Buleleng estuary has reach on acute situations. It
implicates directly on the environment whether biotic, non biotic or social
environment. The intensity of the pollution is based on the material, quantity,
and frequency of the garbage spread in the estuary. The effect of this
pollution is belonged to a very serious implication. There will be many
elements which get the disadvantage of this implication. In aims to make easier
in the description, the disadvantages that affected by this implication will be
explained more by the parameter of the physical pollution. These are the
implications that happened.
a. The Distance
through the Sea
As we know the water contained
in the estuary is the combination between both water from the river and water
from the ocean. There are some particular characteristics that only can be
found in the estuary which is affected by the ocean and the river. In the other
side, this pollution will effect on the ecosystem of the organism in the ocean.
The water that has been contaminated by the pollution is transported through
the ocean of the Bali.
Based
on the time dimension of time, in the morning where the wave are not really
high. At that time, the water stream of the river becomes the important element
that influences the distribution of the garbage trough the ocean. The garbage
flow easily trough the ocean so, the process finish quickly. Based on the fact
found, the furthest distance that can be reached by the garbage is on 600 m
from the Tukad Buleleng estuary. In the other side, in the afternoon we can see
the opposite phenomenon which is the physical characteristics becomes balance.
The waves of the ocean are ideal so that the distribution of the pollution
through the ocean decrease into the low level.
The nearest projection of the
pollution is on the evening. The projection reaches 200 m from Tukad Buleleng
estuary. This implication of pollution is caused by the high waves which start
to increase. The water streams are weak compared to the high wave from the
ocean so the materials of the garbage are just accumulated and floated around
the Tukad Buleleng estuary. It means that the pollutant material is unable to
enter the sea further in the other times.
Garbage
based on the danger toward the environment can be divided into two, mainly
plastic waste and organic. Plastic waste is more hazardous if it is in the body
of water rather than organic waste. It
is much harder that the plastic waste decomposed by the bacteria; so that its
presence will be accumulated in the sea. Plastic waste accumulation will
inhibit the growth of coral reefs that is known as the habitat of the fish in
the sea. If the coral growth is interrupted, then the other marine life will
suffer due to the lacking of food. The food chain experiences inequality where
consumers will be much higher than the producer organism.
Oil
component which is insoluble in water makes water color to be black.
Hydrocarbon components contained by the oil can be toxic and affect the
reproduction, development, growth and behavior of marine organisms, especially
plankton. Emulsification process is a source of mortality of marine organism
particularly in the phase of eggs, larvae, and embryos that have
characteristics vulnerable attacked by the water pollution. The long-term
effects of pollution caused by oil can affect the food chain. The substances
accumulation nature contained in water pollution being accumulated in the
organism; and it is distributed to other organisms through the food chain. It
is on and on happened; the food chain starts from phytoplankton, zooplankton,
small fish, crabs, fish predators, until consumed by humans; thus, it is very
dangerous to the health and biodiversity. The chemical compounds contained in
certain organisms are eaten by humans can lead to various types of cancers that
are dangerous and able to cause death.
C.
CONCLUSION
Based
on the exposure to the discussion in the previous chapter; the conclusions that
can be drawn are:
The
level of water pollution in Tukad Buleleng estuary dynamically follows the
dimension of time. It means that from a certain time differs based on the
influencing factor. The factors that most affect the level of water pollution
in Tukad Buleleng estuary is that the human activity. In addition, the other
factors which are also influential, mainly the physical conditions, like river currents,
waves, tides and sunlight exposure. In general, the level of water pollution in
Tukad Buleleng estuary is in critical condition. Pollution is at an
intermediate level.
The
water pollution at the estuary of Tukad Buleleng implicates toward the biotic
and non biotic environment. Non biotic environment affected is that the quality
of the water itself. The quality of water in estuaries and seaward has a low
quality with E water category. The non biotic elements affected are that the
lower air quality as a result of a foul smell and fishy. Concerning to the
impact of biotic elements; the water pollution in the estuary of Tukad Buleleng
does not reveal a specific and clear bio-indicators, such as the death of
biota. Small fish, water snails, algae water are still able to live in the
estuary of Tukad Buleleng. However, the biota life is disrupted by the waste
substances that settle in the bottom of the estuary. The muddy water and high
temperature would interfere the organisms’ breathing; thus, they need to have a
high adaptability toward their environment.
REFFERENCES
Atmaja,
Dewa Made. 1995. Hidrologi. Buku Ajar (tidak diterbitkan). Singaraja: STKIP Singaraja.
Darmono.
2001. Lingkungan Hidup dan Pencemaran. Bogor: UI Press.
Frieda,
Ni Putu Ristiati. 2014. “Analisis Mikrobiologis bakteri Anaerobik sebagai
Indikator Pencemaran pada Muara Tukad Buleleng, di
Perairan kampong Tinggi, Kabupaten Buleleng”. Seminar Nasional Riset
Inovatif II. ISSN: 2339-1553.
Kamal,
Eni. 2003. “Kajian Fisik Kimia Kawasan Pelabuhan Muara Padang Menjadi kawasan
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Other Sources:
- Keputusan Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup
Nomor 51 tahun 2004
- Peraturan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup RI No 5
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- Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia No 82
Tahun 2001
Table
1. Data Collection Wednesday, March 16th,
2016
| No |
Indicator
|
Unit
|
Quality standards
|
In the Morning
(07:55) WITA
|
In the Afternoon
(13:24) WITA
|
In the Night
(18:10) WITA
|
|||||
Sampel
no
|
|||||||||||
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
||||||
| 1 |
Brightness
|
M
|
>5
|
Blackish
|
Black
|
Dark Brown
|
Dark Brown
|
Dark Green
|
Dark Green
|
||
| 2 |
Smell
|
-
|
Natural
|
Fishy
|
Fishy
|
Rotten
|
Rotten
|
Fishy
|
Fishy
|
||
| 3 |
Turbidity
|
NTU
|
<5
|
Turbid
|
Turbid
|
Very Turbid
|
Very Turbid
|
Turbid
|
Turbid
|
||
| 4 |
TDS
|
µS
|
1000 - 2000
|
825
|
1781
|
632
|
1889
|
900
|
1015
|
||
| 5 |
Garbage
|
-
|
Naught
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
||
| 6 |
Temperature
|
oC
|
28 – 30
|
28
|
28.5
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
31
|
||
| 7 |
Oil layer
|
-
|
Naught
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
Exist
|
||
| 8 | |||||||||||
Gabung dalam percakapan