Pertumbuhan Kayu Putih (Melaleuca leucadendron Linn.) dan Longkida (Nauclea orientalis Linn.) pada Kondisi Tergenang Air Asam Tambang

Abstract

Most of the coal mining operations in Indonesia use open mining systems that could expose sulfide minerals, so cause Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) surface if oxidized with O2 and met H2O. The problems experienced by each company which is active in mining coal, including PT Mandiri Intiperkasa. Handling of AMD that has been done is the provision of lime to neutralize the pH before being released into public waters. However, this can only be done if the company is still actively operating. Therefore, the AMD also need to be addressed passively, which will continue to work even though the company has stopped operating. Handling AMD passively conducted with make a pond sedimentation (settling pond) which is usually planted with grass tifa (Typha angustifolia). This technique is also known as wetland. Although this technique is capable of resolving the problem AMD, but can cause land becomes unproductive because overgrown grass species only. Therefore, it is necessary to add commercial tree types that can survive and grow well in a pool of AMD condition, so that someday can provide the added value of wood and non-wood. The selection of tree species based on the results of previous research that states that the kayu putih (Melaleuca leucadendron) and longkida (Nauclea orientalis) is able to survive in conditions of puddle water. The both types were also selected in this research, but the water used for flooding is the AMD. This research aims to know the viability and growth of kayu putih and longkida in a puddle of AMD, and the influence of both types are on the increase in pH AMD. The research conducted in the nursery PT Mandiri Intiperkasa, East Kalimantan in May–July 2011. The research conducted using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) by treatment with a combination of plants, namely tifa and kayu putih, tifa and longkida, as well as the tifa alone. Each experiment repeated three times, so there are nine units of the experiment. The observations of seedlings conducted during the four-week with the observed variables are the diameter and height growth, the pH of the AMD, plant dry weight, root shoot ratio, analysis of the vegetative organs of plants, and sludge analysis. The acquisition of data processed using Microsoft Excel and Minitab 14. The research states that each unit experiment increase in pH AMD, with first pH of 2.8 and at the end of the observation of up to 6.6. However, the increase in pH of the AMD was not influenced by the type of plant. The both types of trees, both kayu putih and longkida able to survive and to grow well for four weeks on puddle AMD condition.