Pengelolaan Air Asam Tambang Melalui Rawa Buatan Berbasis Bahan In Situ di Pertambangan Batu Bara (Studi Kasus di Site Pertambangan Sambarata PT. Berau Coal, Kabupaten Berau, Provinsi Kalimantan Timur)

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the main problem in open pit mining due to extremely low pH and high solubility of metals. Metal solubility can be reduced biochemically in an anaerobic condition. Wetland is typical ecosystem having anaerobic conditions and characterized by low potential redox (Eh). Low Eh can be achieved if the wetland has enough quantities of organic matter. This research was aimed to design an artificial wetland that was constructed using locally available materials, and test it for AMD treatment, to identify AMD remediation process within artificial wetland, and to identify biomass production of artificial wetland plants. An artificial wetland of 1.028 m2 has been constructed. It’s composed of two organic walls, two growing ponds, and one collecting pond. Each component separated by a dike. Each organic wall was placed next to growing pond that were planted by Typha sp. and Cyperus sp. Collecting pond was planted by Eichornia crassipes. Artificial wetland was incubated until redox potential (Eh) of inundated water was less than 100 mV. Operation of artificial wetland started after incubation was done. Result showed that during incubation Eh of inundated water has decreased to below 100 mV after 5 days. Reduction and precipitation has occured during AMD remediation process. Sulphate, iron and manganese were accumulated in the root of each plant. Typha sp. has better growth rate than other plants and potentially to produce a higher biomass.