Untad study finds Palu Bay polluted

PALU, Central Sulawesi: The level of heavy metals in Palu Bay has surpassed tolerable standards following the unchecked, daily dumping of liquid waste by local residents, an environmental study has found.

"At least seven kinds of metals have polluted the bay," a study conducted by Tadulako University's Environmental Research Center (PPLH-Untad) and the Palu administration said on Sunday.

Among the metals found in the bay are copper, zinc, lead and mercury.

However, the study has not yet assessed the level of metal contamination and how this might affect the local marine ecosystem and lives of local residents.

Meanwhile, Palu Environmental Impact Management Agency head Yusri Asryad said the increasing concentration of heavy metals in the bay was inseparable from daily waste dumped by local residents, with the greatest waste found in Palu municipality and Donggala regency. -- JP