Identification polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Banyuasin river estuary, South Sumatera

摘要

The Banyuasin river estuary is an aquatic area located on the east coast of south Sumatera and receives waste input from activities along with the river flow. One of organic pollutants that toxicate marine life is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study was aimed to identify and determine the concentration of PAHs in seawater and sediment samples from Banyuasin river estuary. A sampling of seawater and sediment was carried out in July 2018. Seawater samples were taken using water sampler and sediment samples were taken using grab at 5 research stations. The concentration of PAHs was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector. The results showed that the PAH content in the seawater ranged from 92.34 to 320.09 ppb while the content of PAHs in the sediment ranges from 3.16-23.28 ppb. Overall, the PAHs content in the seawater Banyuasin river estuary had exceeded the threshold limit value stated by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment, which was 3 ppb or 0.003 ppm.