Bioindikator Berbasis Pergerakan Cangkang Kijing Lokal (Pilsbryoconcha exilis) untuk Monitoring Pencemaran Limbah Cair

Abstract

Pencemaran limbah cair pada perairan tawar berdampak terhadap stabilitas ekosistem dan kehidupan biota akuatik, sementara pemantauan berbasis metode konvensional kurang efisien untuk deteksi dini pencemaran. Penelitian ini mengembangkan bioindikator berbasis perilaku dengan memanfaatkan respons buka–tutup cangkang kijing lokal (Pilsbryoconcha exilis) sebagai indikator perubahan kualitas air. Penelitian dilaksanakan secara eksperimental menggunakan lima jenis limbah cair yang umum mencemari perairan, yaitu limbah deterjen, tahu, batik, industri lem, dan tinta percetakan. Aktivitas katup kijing direkam menggunakan sensor magnetik berbasis mikrokontroler yang mencatat jarak bukaan cangkang setiap 10 detik selama 24 jam. Hasil menunjukkan variasi respons perilaku yang mencerminkan tingkat stres fisiologis akibat karakteristik limbah yang berbeda. Rancangan bioindikator berhasil mendeteksi perubahan kualitas air secara real-time dan berpotensi diaplikasikan sebagai sistem pemantauan pencemaran yang cepat dan adaptif.

Wastewater pollution in freshwater ecosystems causes environmental degradation and threatens aquatic life. Conventional monitoring methods are limited by high costs and delayed detection, making biological-based alternatives necessary. This study developed a bioindicator prototype using the valve movement behavior of the local freshwater mussel Pilsbryoconcha exilis as an early response indicator of water quality disturbance. Five types of wastewater commonly found in freshwater environments were tested: domestic detergent effluent, tofu processing wastewater, batik dyeing effluent, adhesive industry wastewater, and printing ink effluent. Mussels were exposed under controlled conditions, and valve gape activity was recorded using a magnetic sensor connected to a microcontroller. Shell opening distance was logged every 10 seconds for 24 hours to observe behavioral responses. Results showed that mussels exhibited measurable changes in valve activity when exposed to wastewater, indicating behavioral stress. The developed bioindicator prototype was able to detect real-time deviations in valve movement patterns, demonstrating its potential as an early warning system for freshwater pollution. This approach is practical, low-cost, and applicable for continuous environmental monitoring.