Biologists ready to help solve pollution problems<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Most biologists are interested in solving
\npollution problem, a seminar was told yesterday.<\/p>\n
From 27 participants of the environmental biology discussion,
\nheld at the University of Indonesia in Depok, 30 kilometers south
\nof here, 13 discussed ways to help solve pollution problems.<\/p>\n
Hamidah Razak, an observer of the Department of Oceanology
\nResearch and Development of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences,
\ntold The Jakarta Post yesterday that industrial waste had
\ndecreased since the government issued an environmental
\nregulation.<\/p>\n
According to Hamidah, this can be seen from specimens she has
\nobserved, which only contained a small amount of the chemical
\nsubstance.<\/p>\n
Hamidah said that in one of her research projects, in the
\nPanimbang waters of West Java, she found the pesticide
\norganochlorine inside the shell Anadara pilula.<\/p>\n
"This means that the pollution level in the area is not very
\nhigh because the pesticide was banned many years ago," Hamidah
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
She added that organochlorine is accumulatively persistent and
\nis very difficult to diffuse.<\/p>\n
According to Hamidah, although the pollution level is still
\nlow in the area, local residents, especially farmers, still need
\nto be aware of possible dangers.<\/p>\n
Erwin Nurdin, from the School of Mathematics and Science of
\nthe University of Indonesia, said his research in the Rawakalong
\npond in Bogor, 50 kilometers south from here, proved that many
\nkinds of fish had vanished due to pollution caused by mercurial
\nwaste from four nearby industries.<\/p>\n
Erwin, together with his colleagues, examined the pond in
\norder to find out the mercury level inside Trichogaster
\npectoralis (a fish which is immune to a certain mercury level).<\/p>\n
The observation was conducted by using the histochemical
\nmethod, which analyzed the mercury in fish's body, and Atomic
\nAbsorption spectrophotometer, an instrument used to detect the
\nmercurial accumulation in fish body.<\/p>\n
He said that the fish were able to accumulate mercury inside
\ntheir bodies.<\/p>\n
The dangers of mercury for human beings depends on how much
\nfish they consume every day and how high the pollution level is,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
According to Erwin, the Bogor pond functions as potential
\nwater absorber, flood controller and fishery sources.<\/p>\n
"We still have the opportunity to save it," he said. Reducing
\nindustrial waste is one of the ways to restore the pond.<\/p>\n
An approach through biology, for example by using Eichornia
\ncraspisis (water hyacinth) as a biofilter, is always possible,
\nand can save the pond.<\/p>\n
The experts also discussed reproduction biology, microbiology,
\nbiosystematic and conservation, agricultural and medical
\nbiology.(05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/biologists-ready-to-help-solve-pollution-problems-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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