Abstract:We report the atmospheric Hg contamination in an artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) area in North Gorontalo, Indonesia. It is well known that atmospheric Hg contaminates the air, water, soil, and living organisms, including trees. In this study, we calculated total weight of heavy metals, especially Hg, and quantitatively measure the concentrations of heavy metals, especially Hg, in tree bark from an ASGM area. Tree bark can be used for the environmental assessment of atmospheric contamination because it attaches and absorbs heavy metals. Atmospheric Hg and other heavy metals, including Fe and Mn, and As were detected on the tree bark samples. The total weight of Hg, As, Fe, and Mn in the tree bark samples ranged from undetectable (ND) to 9.77, ND to 81.3, 124-4028, 37.0-1376 µg dry weight (DW), respectively per weight of sample. Based on quantitatively analysis micro-PIXE, the highest concentrations of all these metals were detected in the outer part of the bark. We conclude that tree bark can adsorb atmospheric contamination, which is then absorbed into the inner tissues.

The objective of this study was to determine the properties of biochar from meranti (Shorea sp.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). Biochar was produced using a traditional kiln with a temperature of 400°C and 600°C. The char yield, pH, and proximate analysis were evaluated. The results showed that the maximum char yield was obtained at 400°C, and the increase in temperature resulted in decreased char yield. At the same pyrolysis temperature, char yield was higher in meranti than OPEFB. The results revealed that the pH of meranti and OPEFB changed into basic after pyrolysis, which is essential when biochar is added to soil to neutralize soil acidity and increase the soil cation exchange capacity. The results also showed an increase of fixed carbon in meranti and OPEFB after pyrolysis at 400°C and 600°C. The higher heating values (HHV) in meranti and OPEFB increased after pyrolysis, with a remarkable increase of HHV observed in meranti than OPEFB, showing a higher potential of biochar from meranti to be used for bioenergy application than OPEFB.

The traditional house is one of the nature reserves that have the characteristics of various regions and must be protected and preserved. This research aimed to explain the species of wood used in the manufacture of traditional Besemah houses in the Pelang Kenidai Village, Central Dempo District, Pagaralam City, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The implemented methodology of this study was a qualitative approach alongside a case study method. The wood species used in the preservation of traditional Besemah houses (ghumah baghi) consisted of three species: mersawa (Anisoptera sp.), surian (Toona sureni Merr.) and rasamala (Altingia excelsa Noronha). The government is expected to support the preservation of traditional houses through policies on preserving traditional houses, rehabilitating forests and land, cultivating the species of wood used as raw materials for making traditional houses, providing alternative species of other wood as a substitute for these woods, developing culture-based tourism and supporting the community in preserving the culture they have.

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Abstract:This study aimed to determine the potential of naturally occurring Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica) as a biomarker and hyperaccumulator in an abandoned mine in Southwest Japan. This species is a known hyperaccumulator of As. Total concentrations of heavy metals and As were determined in the shoots and roots of plants collected from inside and outside of the mine area. The results indicate that As and Pb in the shoots of P. cretica reached 1290 and 3840 mg/kg dry weight, respectively, which is classified as hyperaccumulation. The metal uptake intensity in the shoots indicates that P. cretica is a biomarker for As, Pb, and Zn. Furthermore, the metal concentrations, and bioconcentration and translocation factors indicate that P. cretica is a good candidate for phytoremediation of sites that are contaminated with As and Pb.