Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest source of global mercury (Hg) emissions. This study investigated Hg contamination in water, soil, sediment, fish, and cassava plants around ASGM sites in Gunung Pongkor, West Java, Indonesia. Hg concentration ranged from 0.06 to 4.49 µg/L in water; 0.420 to 144 mg/kg dw in soil; 0.920 to 150 mg/kg dw in sediment; 0.259 to 1.23 mg/kg dw in fish; 0.097 to 5.09 mg/kg dw in cassava root; and 0.350 to 8.84 mg/kg dw in cassava leaf. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analysis revealed moderate to heavy soil contamination upstream, likely due to direct ASGM input. In contrast, sediment Igeo values indicated heavy contamination downstream, suggesting Hg transport and sedimentation. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) in fish were predominantly high in downstream and midstream areas, indicating enhanced Hg bioavailability. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in cassava were higher in upstream areas. Health risk assessment, based on the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI), identified ingestion as the primary exposure route, with children exhibiting significantly higher risks than adults. These findings highlight the significant Hg contamination associated with ASGM in Gunung Pongkor and emphasize the need for targeted mitigation strategies to protect human and environmental health.

Mercury (Hg) pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a global environmental and public health concern. In Indonesia, ASGM remains widespread, yet assessments of multimedia contamination and health risks are limited. This study quantified Hg concentration in water, sediment, soil, fish, and cassava to evaluate environmental pollution and potential health risks in Waluran, Sukabumi, Indonesia. Mercury concentration in ASGM was higher than in the reference area, especially in fish (median: 4.76 mg/kg dw), cassava leaves (median: 15.7 mg/kg dw), and tailing sediments (median: 171 mg/kg dw). A remarkably high Hg concentration (9760 mg/kg dw) was detected in soil from amalgam-burning spots. An elevated Hg concentration was observed in the reference area, suggesting widespread contamination and potential for long-range dispersion. Over 85% of ASGM samples were categorized as heavily to extremely contaminated by the geo-accumulation index (I_geo). Bioaccumulation assessment indicated a high bioconcentration factor (BCF) in fish and moderate bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in cassava roots. Hazard Quotients (HQ) were greater than 1 for most exposure pathways in both adults and children, with the greatest risk deriving from cassava leaf consumption. These findings indicate severe Hg contamination within ASGM-affected communities and underscore the urgent need for public health interventions, environmental monitoring, and strengthened regulations to reduce Hg exposure in Indonesia.

This article presents a comparative analysis of water management systems between two water utilities, Air Selangor in Malaysia and PAM JAYA in Indonesia. The study evaluates various dimensions including performance comparison, input–throughput–output analysis, hierarchy in operational action situations, and internal structures. Key findings reveal that Kuala Lumpur demonstrates superior service coverage and performance metrics compared to Jakarta, attributed to stronger financial performance and effective governance structures. The success of Air Selangor is highlighted, emphasizing the role of gubernatorial agencies in overseeing water resource management and ensuring operational efficiency. In contrast, Jakarta's water management faces challenges due to central government control and private sector focus on financial targets rather than operational goals. The proposed institutional model for Indonesia's New Capital City advocates for multi-stakeholder involvement to enhance water provision efficiency and address equitable access challenges. Overall, the study underscores the importance of robust governance frameworks and collaborative approaches in achieving sustainable and reliable urban water management outcome.

Mercury (Hg) contamination in seafood is a major environmental and public health concern because organic Hg, predominantly methylmercury (MeHg), bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through aquatic food webs. However, information on Hg speciation in fish and seafood from Indonesia remains limited. This study quantified total Hg (THg) and organic Hg (OHg) in 111 specimens representing 15 commercially important fish and seafood species collected from Jakarta Bay, Indonesia, and assessed the associated human health risk. Median THg concentrations ranged from 0.032 to 3.82 mg/kg dry weight (dw), whereas median OHg concentrations ranged from 0.014 to 2.95 mg/kg dw. A comparison with international and Indonesian food safety guidelines showed that Moses perch (Lutjanus russellii) exceeded the maximum permissible Hg concentration, whereas all other species complied with established limits. Median organic Hg accounted for 26.5–89.4% of THg. THg and OHg concentrations were significantly positively correlated with fish length but not weight. Most species presented negligible non-carcinogenic risks (hazard quotient, HQ < 1); however, 16% and 4% of evaluated exposures exceeded the HQ threshold for children and adults, respectively. Overall, Hg speciation combined with human health risk assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of seafood safety beyond THg alone. These findings provide baseline data supporting consumption advisories, long-term Hg monitoring, and evidence-based risk management in Indonesia.