IPB Marine Conservation Expert Reveals Threat of Nickel Mining to Sperm Whales, Giant Clams, and Manta Rays in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, an area long known as a center of marine biodiversity, now faces a serious threat from nickel mining activities.
Dr Meutia Samira Ismet, a lecturer in Marine Science and Technology at IPB University, expressed her concerns about the long-term impacts of mining on marine ecosystems, particularly on marine species classified as vulnerable under conservation status, such as sperm whales, giant clams, and manta rays.
“These three species are highly dependent on the balance of the marine environment in Raja Ampat,” said the IPB University expert in Marine Conservation and Applied Microbiology.
She explained that sperm whales, giant clams, and manta rays have very specific feeding habits. Sperm whales are known to consume large quantities of pelagic fish and cephalopods, such as squid and octopus.
Meanwhile, giant clams are filter-feeding organisms that strain planktonic microorganisms from the water while also forming a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic microalgae to meet their nutritional needs. Manta rays are also known to have a diet dominated by plankton and small pelagic fish, all of which are greatly influenced by the environmental conditions of their habitat.
“Their diet is highly dependent on planktonic microorganisms, particularly photosynthetic ones, which also give giant clams their distinctive color and form the foundation of the food chain for sperm whales and manta rays,” she said. If the ecosystem balance is disrupted, the food chain supporting these species will collapse.
Nickel mining activities on the mainland of Raja Ampat, according to Dr Meutia, have the potential to generate waste runoff that pollutes marine waters. “This waste carries organic matter and heavy metal residues that can disrupt symbiotic microalgae and other planktonic microorganisms,” she explained.
She added that high nickel concentrations can be toxic to microalgae and marine microbes. Research in Vavouto Bay, New Caledonia, she noted, has shown that nickel concentrations exceeding the threshold limit (46 μg/L) can harm photosynthetic microalgae, which play a vital role in primary productivity and the biogeochemical cycle of the waters.
Dr Meutia also stated that increased heavy metal levels in the ocean impact the abundance and composition of zooplankton such as copepods, which are the primary food source for manta rays and pelagic fish groups, as well as squid, which are the main prey of sperm whales. The effects are not limited to the food chain but also affect the biodiversity of benthic groups like giant clams, which are highly vulnerable to changes in environmental quality.
“Some studies indicate that increased nickel concentrations reduce the reproduction and growth rates of benthic organisms,” she added. This exacerbates the condition of species populations that heavily depend on plankton and other microorganisms.
Moreover, the indirect impacts of pollution from nickel mining are also considered highly significant. Decreased dissolved oxygen (DO), increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, and reduced water clarity are said to damage the natural habitats of various marine organisms.
“As a result, the structure of the marine ecosystem could undergo drastic changes, threatening the existence of rare species in the region,” she explained.
Dr Meutia emphasized that a thorough risk assessment is essential to determine the safe threshold concentration of nickel for marine ecosystems. She urged the implementation of water quality monitoring and more responsible management of mining waste.
Furthermore, she called on the government, community, and industry to collaborate in designing policies that prioritize environmental conservation. “Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation is crucial to ensure Raja Ampat remains a home for the world’s marine biodiversity,” she said. (dr)
