{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1699973,
        "msgid": "behind-diengs-beauty-geogenic-threats-loom-over-food-security-1777096254",
        "date": "2026-04-25 12:23:00",
        "title": "Behind Dieng's Beauty, Geogenic Threats Loom Over Food Security",
        "author": "Gloria Setyvani Putri",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Energy",
        "summary": "Researchers from BRIN have uncovered high concentrations of toxic elements like arsenic, antimony, cadmium, chromium, and lead in the water and soil of Dieng's volcanic region, posing significant risks to local agriculture, water sources, and human health. The study, conducted post the 2025 Sileri eruption, reveals arsenic levels in water 94 times above WHO guidelines and soil contamination far exceeding international standards. This research underscores the need for sustainable geothermal management that balances energy development with environmental and public safety, informing policy and risk communication strategies for local communities.",
        "content": "<p>KOMPAS.com \u2013 Studies on geothermal energy in Indonesia have\ntraditionally focused on technical reservoir systems and energy\ndevelopment. However, active volcanic areas like Dieng require deeper\nunderstanding as an environmental exposure landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Senior Researcher from the Centre for Geological Resource Research\n(PRSDG) at BRIN, Riostantieka Mayandari Soedarto, presented the findings\nof the study titled \u201cEarth, Water, Humans: A Geothermal-Geodermis\nPerspective from Dieng\u201d during the DIGDAYA #21 webinar on Wednesday\n(22\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDieng is not just a geothermal field, but a living landscape where\ninteractions occur between geothermal manifestations, water sources,\nagriculture, settlements, and daily activities,\u201d she stated, as quoted\nfrom the BRIN website.<\/p>\n<p>In the research conducted in August-September 2025\u2014about eight months\nafter the last Sileri eruption\u2014the BRIN team identified several priority\ntoxic elements such as arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), cadmium (Cd),\nchromium (Cr), and lead (Pb).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis results in the West Sileri area showed concerning figures.\nArsenic concentrations there were found to reach 94 times the WHO\ndrinking water guidelines. Not only in water, heavy metal content in\nsoil media also recorded levels far above the threshold.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cArsenic concentrations reached 562 times the US EPA comparator,\nantimony 6.5 times Dutch Soil Standards, cadmium 4.2 times Dutch Soil\nStandards, and lead exceeding Australian standards,\u201d Riostantieka\nrevealed.<\/p>\n<p>The aim is to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and risk\ncommunication strategies for local residents.<\/p>\n<p>Riostantieka emphasised that geothermal should no longer be viewed\nsolely through energy production figures. \u201cGeothermal needs to be\nunderstood as a pathway for mobilising elements that can interact with\nwater, food, and humans,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n<p>In agreement, the Head of PRSDG BRIN, Iwan Setiawan, hopes this\nresearch will serve as a strong foundation for policymaking in more\nsustainable geothermal management. According to him, Earth Day momentum\nshould remind us of the importance of maintaining balance between\nnatural resource utilisation and community protection.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSynergy, building networks, and competence are very important for\nadvancing research, especially in natural resources in Indonesia,\u201d Iwan\nconcluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/behind-diengs-beauty-geogenic-threats-loom-over-food-security-1777096254",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}