Mercury (Hg) contamination in soil and forage plants is toxic to ecosystems, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of such pollution in the Bombana area of Indonesia. Hg contamination in soil and forage plants was investigated by particle-induced X-ray emission analysis of samples collected from three savannah areas (i.e., ASGM, commercial mining, and control areas) in the Bombana area. Hg contents of forage plants in the ASGM area (mean 9.90 ± 14 µg/g) exceeded those in the control area (2.70 ± 14 µg/g). Soil Hg contents (mean 390 ± 860 µg/g) were also higher than those in the control area (mean 7.40 ± 9.90 µg/g), with levels exceeding international regulatory limits. The Hg contents of 69% of soil and 78% of forage-plant samples exceeded critical toxicological limits. Thus, the Hg levels observed in this study indicate that contamination extending over large areas may cause major environmental problems.

The rapid expansion of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) industry in developing countries has marginalized the local communities in poverty, and resulted in occupational exposure to mercury via the gold extraction process. We investigated the mercury exposure of the mining workers lived inside and outside the mining area. Based on the occupations of the contributors, the hair samples were divided into three subgroups: directly exposed, indirectly exposed, and a control. A total of 81 hair samples were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry. The median mercury concentration was highest in the hair from the directly exposed group (12.82 μg/g hair) (control group median: 4.8 μg/g hair, p < 0.05), and the concentrations in hair from 45 respondents exceeded the Human Biomonitoring I (HBM I) threshold limit. Mercury concentrations were also elevated in the hair from the indirectly exposed group (median 7.64 μg/g hair, p < 0.05), and concentrations in hair from 24 respondents exceeded the HBM I threshold limits. Exposure to mercury during ASGM presents health risks and is harmful for the miners; mercury is also at hazardous levels for people who live in the mining area but who are not engaged in mercury-based gold extraction.

The industrial mining sector is one of the main contributors to environmental damage and toxic metal pollution, although some contamination originates from natural geological sources. Due to their position at the top of the food chain, cattle tend to bioaccumulate mercury (Hg) in their bodies. We used analyses of cattle hair samples to investigate Hg contamination in cattle farmed within and outside of an artisanal and small-scale gold-mining area in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We also examined the factors that might have influenced the toxicity, such as the environmental conditions, sex, and age of the cattle. A total of 63 hair samples were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry. The mean Hg concentration was significantly higher in hair from cattle farmed within the artisanal and small-scale gold mining area (11.44 μg/g hair) than in those farmed outside the area (2.89 μg/g hair, p < 0.05). A possible cause of this is contamination by mercury persistent in terrestrial food chain. The results indicates that the level of toxic metals such as Hg need to be controlled in food sources to protect human health, especially in Bombana, Indonesia.

Toxic materials in waste generally contain several components of the global trending pollutant category, especially PAHs and heavy metals. Bioremediation technology for waste management that utilizes microorganisms (bacteria) has not been fully capable of breaking down these toxic materials into simple and environmentally friendly chemical products. This review paper examines the potential application of a consortium of marine sponge symbionts with high performance and efficiency in removing PAHs and heavy metal contaminants. The method was carried out through a review of several related research articles by the author and published by other researchers. The results of the study conclude that the development of global trending pollutant (GTP) bioremediation technology could be carried out to increase the efficiency of remediation. Several types of marine sponge symbiont bacteria, hydrocarbonoclastic (R-1), metalloclastic (R-2), and metallo-hydro-carbonoclastic (R-3), have the potential to be applied to improve waste removal performance. A consortium of crystalline bacterial preparations is required to mobilize into GTP-exposed sites rapidly. Bacterial symbionts of marine sponges can be traced mainly to sea sponges, whose body surface is covered with mucus.

Snack is food that is purchased in a ready-to-consume form and is widely preferred because of its relatively cheap price, easy to obtain, attractive and varied appearance. Rhodamine B dye is one of the colouring substances prohibited for food and is declared as hazardous substance according to Regulation of Health Minister Indonesia No. 722/Menkes/Per/IX/1988 regarding dyes that are declared dangerous and prohibited in Indonesia as well as in the Decree of the Directorate General of POM No. 239/Menkes/Per/V/1985 regarding certain dye stuffs declared as hazardous materials. This study aimed to recognize the levels of Rhodamine B dye in snacks traded. This was descriptive survey research with laboratory examination by analysing Rhodamine B dye on snacks by the results of UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. Population in this study were all snacks marketed in Karuwisi Traditional Market, while the sample was nine snacks consisting of: chili sauce, layer cake, red chocolate cream, red curly crackers, cassava chips, red jelly, red popcorn, cassava crackers, and macaroni crackers because the nine samples were physically identical to Rhodamine B colouring agent, namely the use of a striking red or pink colour. The sampling technique was total sampling. The results revealed that of the nine samples, only one sample was positive for Rhodamine B, namely cassava cracker containing 7.960μg/g. It concluded that red cassava cracker was a wholesale snack at Karuwisi Traditional Market which is positive for Rhodamine B.

Gender dynamics play a significant role in shaping access to clean water in urban areas. This study examines the disparities in burdens between men and women and highlights the spectrum of gender dynamics related to clean water access. The research was conducted in the Tallo district of Makassar City, characterized by slums and low-income households. Data were collected through interviews with 200 heads of households using a self-administered questionnaire and combined with participatory observation. The study reveals that adult women (mothers, wives, aunts, sisters, and sisters-in-law) experience more significant burdens in aspects of water collection, time poverty, health and safety risks, hygiene, and sanitation compared to adult men (fathers, husbands, uncles, and brothers). Regarding decision-making power in water access, heavy burdens are experienced by male children (sons and nephews) and female children (daughters and nieces). Women often face more significant challenges in obtaining safe and affordable water access due to gender role demands in domestic tasks and limited water infrastructure affecting water distribution in the community. The study underscores the need for gender-focused interventions to promote equitable access to clean water in Makassar City and empower women in water resource management and decision-making, improving water infrastructure.