IPB Expert: The Impact of Nickel Mining in Halmahera Threatens Not Only the Ocean but Also Public Health and the Local Economy
The rapidly expanding nickel mining activities in coastal areas, including the Buli Bay region in East Halmahera which has recently drawn public attention due to changes in water conditions need to be managed with greater care.
According to Dr Meutia Ismet, a lecturer at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at IPB University, the impacts of mining in coastal areas not only have the potential to disrupt marine ecosystems but can also affect public health and the long term sustainability of the coastal economy.
Dr Meutia explained that one of the most easily observable impacts is increased turbidity and changes in water color due to sedimentation flowing from land into the sea. The clearing of land for mining makes the topsoil unstable, allowing it to be easily carried by rainwater into coastal waters.
“The influx of large amounts of suspended solids can degrade water quality. Increased turbidity will block sunlight from penetrating the water column, thereby disrupting the photosynthesis of various photosynthetic marine organisms, and also reduce oxygen concentrations in the water due to the decomposition of organic matter from land,” she said.
She added that increased sedimentation in the water can also threaten the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. Sedimentation covering the surface of the coral will reduce the light intensity needed by symbiotic algae to photosynthesize.
“In the long term, these conditions can cause stress on coral reefs, triggering bleaching or coral bleaching, and ultimately leading to death,” said Dr Meutia.
Furthermore, she noted that coral reef damage does not affect just a single species. Various marine organisms that rely on coral reefs as habitats, feeding grounds, and spawning sites will lose their living spaces. Similar impacts could also occur in seagrass and mangrove ecosystems, which play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of coastal regions.
In addition to sedimentation, Dr Meutia noted that nickel mining activities have the potential to increase the levels of heavy metals such as nickel, iron, manganese, and cadmium in water bodies. These metals can accumulate in marine organisms and undergo biomagnification through the food chain, posing a long term health risk to humans who consume them.
“In the long term, heavy metals accumulated at high concentrations can increase the risk of various chronic health disorders, ranging from skin diseases, neurological disorders, and reduced kidney function to an increased risk of cancer. This risk becomes significant if coastal communities rely on catches from contaminated waters,” she explained.
Regarding the conditions in Buli Bay, East Halmahera, Dr Meutia emphasized the importance of regularly monitoring water quality, sedimentation, and heavy metal content to assess the impact of mining activities on the aquatic environment.
She believes the necessary steps include evaluating the implementation of environmental impact assessments (EIA), strengthening sediment control measures, revegetating open land, and protecting affected communities through economic support, health services, and access to clean water.
“Environmental restoration must be carried out in an integrated manner from upstream to downstream by addressing the root causes on land so that the benefits can be felt by both the ecosystem and the community,” she concluded. (Ez) (IAAS/EXC)
