Analysis of mercury and nickel content in fish and shrimp a result aquaculture of ponds in Pomalaa, Kolaka Regency

The Nickel Mining Industry in Pomalaa, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi has been operated since 1909. In its development, mining activities have begun to cause problems, namely pollution and environmental damage. Research on metals around the nickel mining waters has been done by taking samples of milkfish and shrimp which are cultivated by the community in ponds. The metal analysis was carried out using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) variance AA50. The presence of mercury metal in fish samples (B₆) and shrimp (U₄₀ and U₅₀) was not detected, but was found in fish samples (B₂ and B₄), and shrimp (U₃₀) with the contents of B₂ each at 7.0510+0.77 mg/kg, B₄ of 2.0700+0.12 mg/kg, and U₃₀ of 4.6560+1.04 mg/kg. Based on SNI7387:2009 (The maximum limit of mercury contamination in food) is known to fish and shrimp as a result of the cultivation of these ponds has undergone mercury metal pollution. Nickel is found in all types of samples, both in fish and shrimp. The value of nickel metal content in fish (B₂ is 0.5000+0.11 mg/kg; B₄ is 0.5000+0.11 mg/kg; and B₆ is 0.5000+0.17 mg/kg). While the nickel content in shrimp (U₃₀ is 1.1550+0.51 mg/kg; U₄₀ is 0.7650+0.17 mg/kg; and U₅₀ is 0.6650+0.17 mg/kg). For nickel content, the values referred to as standards are WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2000 Air Quality Guidelines, Chapter 6.10 Nickel - Second Edition. Concerning these standards, it was found that fish and shrimp from aquaculture ponds in these locations had suffered nickel metal pollution. (paper)