THE DETERMINATION OF ALGAE GROUP AS

BIOINDICATOR WATER QUALITY CHANGE AFFECTED BY

MERCURY RELEASE FROM ARTISANAL SMALL-SCALE
GOLD MINING (ASGM)
Indah Yusliga Sari Purba1*, and Herto Dwi Ariesyady2
1Master
Program of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung
2Environmental Management Technology Research Group, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi
Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung

Abstract. Artisanal small scale gold mining (ASGM) that typically occurs near a river and uses
mercury for amalgamation could affect the decrease in water quality. The aim of this study was to
determine algae that able to be an indicator of the change river water quality impacted by ASGM
activities in WG, MR, DH, and KB regencies. The research was conducted from July to October
2018 in thirty sampling sites which determined purposively along the river near the ASGM area. A
composite sample of water and sediment was carried out using water sampler, Eckman grab, and
trowel. Volume sampler and brushing method were applied to collect planktonic and benthic algae
samples in each site. The results showed that mercury was detected in water between <0,04 and
20 µg.L-1, and sediment from <0,04 to 13,489.87 µg/kg. A significant influence (p<0,05) of
dissolved oxygen, pH, and nitrate was found associated with Achnanthes , Synedra and Navicula
as planktonic genera. While, Achnanthes and Synedra as benthic were significantly influenced by
water temperature and velocity, respectively. Besides, pH was sensitive to the density of Cymbella,
Microspora, and Phormidium . Mercury accumulation in sediment was negatively significant
affected (p<0,05) to Navicula abundance. Consequently, it is potential to describe the decrese of
mercury contamination in the sediment of the river near the ASGM area.

1 INTRODUCTION changes by the succession of community in which the

Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining is a conventional
mining system which performed informally individual
miners and small enterprises with limited capital
investment. ASGMs are usually operated surround
aquatic ecosystem such as river to gain the sedimented ore
gold in the riverbed and use water to support the mining
process. The ASGM spots in all regions in Indonesia have
notably reached a peak of 850 spots in 2010 [1].
The ASGM activities have systematically impacted
the decrease of water quality due to siltation [2], erosion,
high turbidity and toxic substance contamination like
mercury from amalgamation process [3]. Mercury is one
of the most toxic heavy metal that able to be absorbed
usually as methyl mercury species and potentially
accumulated by lower trophic level like algae to higher
organism through the food chain. The change of structure
of aquatic biota due to toxic contamination could be also
affected by the possibility of pollution-tolerant organisms
that will dominate the community. It then will be more
harmful to water to be consumed because of the presence
of toxic-accumulated species.
A bioindicator is a biological and comprehensive
method to screen the health of the aquatic system by the
biological response of organisms to the changes of
physicochemical water parameters [4]. Algae are the
autotrophic aquatic organism that able to produce oxygen
by photosynthesis and live whether as planktonic or
benthic. Algae are ideally appropriate for water quality
assessment due to the rapid reproduction and short life
cycle, ubiquitous inhabitants, sensitivity and the ability to
attach in the substrate so that cannot migrate to avoid
pollution exposure [5]. Algae response water quality
tolerant species will have large populations over a long
period in polluted water while less tolerant species will
selectively be eliminated by interspecific competition or
predators [6]. Lobo et al. (2017) reported that Diatom and
Cyanobacteria were dominantly found in Tapajos
Amazon Brazil River near ASGM area [2].
The multivariate approach has been used to
determine the relationship bioindicator and
environmental characteristics. Cluster and Principal
Component Analysis has been performed in the study of
determination benthic foraminifera as bioindicator [7].
CCA is also applied to Assessment of River Quality in a
Subtropical Austral River System: a Combined Approach
Using Benthic Diatoms and Macroinvertebrates [8].
Recently, Chazanah et al. (2018) using Principle
Component Analysis to determine the parameter of
ecological status Upper Citarum River in Indonesia with
benthic macroinvertebrate [9]. However, the reference
related to algae as a bioindicator of river water quality
near the ASGM area is restricted particularly in Indonesia.
The aim of this study is to determine algae as an
indicator of water quality degradation in the river near the
ASGM area using multivariate analysis. We hypothesized
that several general algae can describe the change in water
quality. The several regencies of Indonesia were selected
to be study sites. It corresponded to the priority regions of
western Indonesia for mercury inventory study by
Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic
Indonesia. This research would eventually be referenced
for water quality management in river near ASGM area.
2 MATERIALS AND METHOD
2.1 Study Area
Four locations such as WG, MR, DH and KB regencies
were selected along several rivers in four provinces of
Indonesia as the representative ASGMs area (Fig. 1). The
research was conducted from July to September of 2018
during the dry season at 30 sampling sites. The sites
represent ASGM activities or potentially contaminated
area, river utilization, and upper stream as control. WG
regency is located in East Java Province in which there
are 6 (S1-S6) selected sampling sites in the stream near
the ASGM area. The gold processing use mills or well
known as “gelundung” to grind the ore.
Second, sampling was carried out in MR regency which
is located in Jambi Province. In this area, environmental
Fig 1. Study locations in river near ASGM area of four regencies, Indonesia (Source: BIG Indonesia)
2.2 Sampling Methods
Based on the different type of habitat, sampling was
conducted into two categories, for planktonic (S1-S6 and
S28-S30) and benthic (S7-S27). Algae were sampled from
stones in riffles of shallow streams using a soft clean
brush in an area about 20 x 30 cm for benthic form. As
planktonic, these were collected by volume sampler
method using plankton net in the pool of large stream or
river. They were immediately fixed with 37% of
formaldehyde. Physicochemical water variables such as
water velocity, depth, pH, conductivity, total dissolved
solids, and oxygen dissolved were taken directly in each
site. A composite sample of surface water and sediment
were collected using water sampler, trowel, and Eckman
Grab. It would then be analyzed in the laboratory for
determination of heavy metal mercury, nutrients (NO3 and
PO43-), total suspended solids, specific gravity, particle
size distribution, cation exchange and organic carbon
fraction.
2.3 Chemical Analysis
Mercury extraction was performed based on SNI 6989.78:
2011 for water and sediment using US EPA 7471B in
Toxicology and Hygiene Industry Laboratory of ITB. It
would be next analysed in total mercury form (T-Hg) by
spectrophotometry technique using Inductively Coupled
sampling was divided into four sub-basin which were
MR1 River (S7-S8), MR2 River (S9-S10), MR3 River
(S11-S12), and MR4 River (S13-S14). The ASGM
activities were mostly operated using an excavator to
remove ore from rock mines near the river system and
panning to concentrate the gold. Third, ten sampling sites
were selected along MM River (S15-S19) and HH River
(S20-S24) in DH regency which is located in West
Sumatra. The conventional mining system around MM
River is dominated by gelundung machine while
dompeng or floating mining process was operated along
HH River. The last, KB Regency is located in Central
Kalimantan, of which the sampling sites was at AT River
(S25-S30). This location represented all the small-scale
gold mining techniques both in aquatic and terrestrial.
Plasma Mass Spectrophotometry (ICP-MS) within PT.
SKYPACIFIC Lab, Bogor, Indonesia. Other chemical
water properties were assessed in the Water Quality
Laboratory of ITB. Brucine–Spectrophotometer was used
to determine NO3, Stannous Chloride–Spectrophotometer
Method for PO43-, and total suspended solids following
Gravimetric Method. While, physicochemical sediment
parameters were measured in TEKMIRA Laboratory,
Bandung, Indonesia. Particle size distribution was
analysed by sieve analysis, spectrophotometer for organic
carbon fraction, and cation exchange using volumetric.
2.4 Biological Analysis
Algae were identified in three replicates of each sampling
points using OMANO microscope with 10x objective lens
in Toxicology and Hygiene Industry Laboratory of ITB.
The identification was carried out to genus level
according to Freshwater Algae: Identification,
Enumeration and Use as Bioindicator [10], River Algae
[11], and Freshwater Algae North America [12]. Density
was measured by counting algae cell in 40 of 1000 grids
Plastic Sedgwick Rafter Counting Chamber S50 in which
30 grids is expected to reveal 90-95 % species presence
[10]. It then used different equations for measuring the
density of planktonic and benthic algae [13].
Additionally, relative density was also calculated to
present dominant or abundant genera based on relative
density >20% [14].
2.5 Data Analysis
Statistical analysis will be performed using the statistical
software package SPSS IBM 25. All variables were
transformed into Log10 (x) to normalize data distribution.
Normality was tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test (α ≤
0.05). The abundance of all taxa was expressed as relative
density (>20%) before advanced analysis. Principle
Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to extract and
classify the number of variables based on eigenvalue >1
using the varimax method into a new main factor and
loading score >0.5 (strong correlation). All 23
physicochemical water and sediment variables are
included in PCA analysis. Following PCA, each group of
factor will be analysed by linear regression to determine
the most influenced environmental variables that affect
certain genus dominant of algae. A probability level of
0.05 was considered as a statistically significant factor.
Hence, it will be used to determine the potential genus of
algae as bioindicator describing physicochemical water
and sediment factors changes.
3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Physicochemical water and sediment
characteristics
The results of physicochemical water and sediment
variables measurement of 30 sites in 4 regencies are given
in Table 1. As the key parameter of ASGM activity, total
Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in water and sediment are
considerably different among four locations. According to
Government Regulation of Indonesia, Number 82 of 2001
regarding Water Quality Management and Water
Pollution Control, mercury concentrations in all study
locations tend to exceed an acceptable level of mercury in
water (1 µg.L-1). The highest concentration of T-Hg in
water was 20 µg.L-1 at two sampling sites in S13 (MR)
and S16 (DH) (Table 1). It might be caused by the S13
which was located in the downstream that potentially
receive more pollutants input from the river in other
districts which were possible having the ASGM activities.
Meanwhile, the ASGM that actively operated along MM
River was able to influence the high level of T-Hg in S16.
It also notably corresponded to the extremely increase of
physicochemical water parameters such as TDS, TSS,
conductivity, and the decrease of DO.
The various operating systems of ASGM which have
a technically different process and duration were
suggested affecting the different number of used and
released mercury into local water bodies. Further, the
environmental condition was also contributed to the
distribution of mercury in the river. The gold mining
activity caused the increase of suspended solids and heavy
metal release as soil erosion [14, 15, 16]. In addition, the
dewatering process influenced the high level of electrical
conductivity in the river [17].
Based on Canadian Sediment Quality for Aquatic
Life Protection 170 µg.kg-1, mercury concentration in
sediment tends to be accumulated below the standard
[18]. However, there were several sites in WG and DH
Regencies where mercury accumulation was more than
50-fold on a standard level in sediment at S6 (13.489.87
µg.kg-1) and S22 (11.128.92 µg.kg-1). It was expected that
mining operation in both sites was closely located to the
aquatic ecosystem. The effluent or tailing that was flushed
directly into the water system could be impacted by
mercury distribution in water and sediment. PSLB3
(2018) reported that ASGM in WG and DH Regencies
were found using mercury in the gold mining process
[19].
On the other hand, mercury concentration in
sediment showed the lowest level or under limit detection
in all sampling sites in MR Regency. PSLB3 (2018)
reported that there was no evidence about the use of
mercury at ASGM activities in that area [19]. It was
supported with the data regarding mercury in tailing
which was 0.005 µg/kg below the permissible limit (5
µg.L-1) based on State Minister of Environment Decree
Indonesia No.202/2004 about Effluent Standard for Gold
and/or Copper Ore Mining Business and/or Activities.
In addition, the particle grains of sediment in S7-S14
were mostly composed of gravel and sand (Table 1). The
released gravel and sand in the river were commonly
caused by the semi-mechanical ore crushing in ASGM
[3]. Mercury distribution in sediment showed that there
was a decrease of total mercury concentration with the
increasing particle size. The smaller particle has a large
specific surface area that will be beneficial to bind
stronger the heavy metal than the bigger size [20].
3.2 Composition of Algae
A total of 32 genera has been identified as planktonic
algae in 9 sites of 2 rivers (Table 2). The number of genera
that have a relative density greater than 20% were
Synedra, Nitzschia, Navicula, Gomphonema, and
Achnanthes . On the other hand, 61 genera of algae have
been found in 21 sites as benthic form (Table 2). There
were Phormidium , Microspora, Synedra, Navicula,
Gyrosigma, Gomphonema, Cymbella, and Achnanthes
classified as the dominant benthic algal genera.
The relative density clearly shows that both
planktonic and benthic algae in 30 sites along the river
near the ASGM area were dominated by a member of
Baccilariophyta. Diatoms are microscopic algae which
abundant in the freshwater aquatic ecosystem as a food
source for invertebrate organisms [21]. Diatom is also
found in all freshwater habitat as planktonic and benthic
of standing and flowing waters [12].
The planktonic algae population was mainly
dominated by Synedra, which represented 54.55%.
Furthermore, the genus of Synedra was also abundantly
(59.64%) found as benthic algae. According to Stevenson
(1996), other groups of algae can be found either as
planktonic or benthic such as Fragilaria, Synedra, and
Nitzschia [22]. Meanwhile, the percentage of other
benthic algae with relative abundance more than 50%
were composed Navicula (54.05%), and Phormidium
(50%). Table 2 shows that Navicula tends to be found in
the river of MR region (S7-S14), which had excavator
 Table 1. Physicochemical water and sediment characteristics in the 30 sites along the river near ASGM area of four regencies. S1-S6 is reported as WG Regency; S7-S14 = MR Regencies;
S15-S24 = DH Regencies; and S25-S30 = KB Regencies.
T-Hga Organic- T-Hgb
Depth Velocity Tempa a TDSa TSSa Conductivitya DOa PO43- a NO3a CECb Specificb Gravelb Sandb Siltb Clayb
Site -1 pH -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 water carbonb sediment
(cm) (m.s ) (°C) (mg.L ) (mg.L ) (µs.cm ) (mg.L ) (mg.L ) (mg.L ) -1 (me.100g-1) gravity (%) (%) (%) (%)
(µg.L ) (%) (µg.kg-1)
S1 10 0 27 5.4 905 14 1478 7.6 0.060 2.477 0.25 0.21 2.71 2.77 8.4 14.7 69.7 7.2 691.73
S2 5 0 24.7 7.06 815 49.33 1315 8.6 0.136 1.305 12.5 0.36 7.19 2.78 9.2 6.6 80.2 4 537.27
S3 10 0 24 7.6 368 12 594 8.5 0.056 0.074 0.06 0.23 15.54 2.77 22.8 29.4 44.3 3.5 <0.04
S4 10 0 27.9 7.2 380 7.67 612 8.6 0.041 0.546 10 0.542 10.59 2.77 27.6 71.8 0.6 0.6 35.79
S5 15 0 25 7.4 502 13.33 809 6.9 0.150 3.782 <0.04 0.656 9.6 2.68 4 64.5 24.5 7 37.14
S6 10 0 26 7.8 469 119 756 7.5 0.042 2.805 1.25 0.38 7.28 2.73 9.1 14.5 54.7 21.7 13.489.87
S7 28 0.2 25 6.6 37 7 59.7 8.0 0.042 1.639 10 0.539 1.79 2.72 17.7 80.9 0.8 0.6 <0.04
S8 80 0.02 27.9 7.17 39.4 31 63.5 6.3 0.057 1.098 1.4 0.863 0.271 2.73 53.9 45.6 0.5 0.5 <0.04
S9 40 0.17 30.1 7.4 37.9 113 61.1 6.5 0.067 1.210 12 0.511 0.543 2.79 61.9 36.7 1.4 1.4 <0.04
S10 20 0.18 28.5 7.45 41.8 157 67.5 7.6 0.059 1.841 0.16 0.468 0.381 2.76 72.5 25.5 2 2 <0.04
S11 20 0.27 26.6 8.01 44.6 47 72 6.8 0.050 1.247 16 0.862 1.36 2.72 32.6 55.3 10.5 1.6 <0.04
S12 30 0.33 28.3 8.1 41.3 20 66.6 8.0 0.040 1.655 0.2 0.636 3.75 2.78 31.9 67.1 0.7 0.3 <0.04
S13 40 0.33 27.5 8.47 42 92.33 71.7 3.8 0.012 0.350 20 0.262 0.605 2.73 66.3 33.3 0.4 0.4 <0.04
S14 100 0.18 30.5 8 35 86 56.5 4.5 0.039 0.281 2 0.669 0.762 2.72 44.5 52.4 1.6 1.5 <0.04
S15 30 0.2 32.4 7.6 16.82 17.67 27.1 9.4 0.000 0.180 1.2 0.689 2.12 2.79 66.7 33.2 0.1 0.1 37.09
S16 20 0.37 27.5 7.5 107.7 109.67 173.7 4.7 0.034 0.568 20 0.663 0.217 2.78 76.6 23.4 0 0 12.27
S17 30 0.42 28.9 7.4 98.2 68.33 158.3 5.6 0.041 0.249 1 0.558 0.57 2.79 78.3 21.6 0.1 0.1 35.77
S18 60 0.27 27.3 7.5 97.1 10.33 156.6 4.5 0.034 0.074 0.6 0.316 0.476 2.71 67.1 32.8 0.1 0.1 12.98
S19 60 0.3 31.5 7.62 97.4 10.33 157.1 7.1 0.042 0.499 <0.04 0.369 0.847 2.75 71.5 28.4 0.1 0.1 35.76
S20 50 0.4 32 7.8 67.3 256.33 108.6 3.6 0.072 0.727 0.8 0.367 0.793 2.77 84.4 15.5 0.1 0.1 <0.04
S21 60 0.29 28.3 7.6 70.7 284.67 114 4.5 0.086 0.918 <0.04 0.319 0.953 2.72 23.6 61.2 0 0 11.12
S22 50 0.37 31.6 7.6 65.8 237.67 106.2 3.5 0.059 0.785 0.16 0.226 0.899 2.79 23.1 54.8 0 0 11.128.92
S23 50 0.46 27 7.6 64.7 138.33 104.4 4.6 0.059 0.891 4 0.328 0.635 2.79 77.1 22.8 0.1 0.1 517.91
S24 60 0.48 28.8 7.74 66.2 205.67 106.8 4.4 0.070 1.034 0.8 0.328 0.953 2.79 59.9 40 0.1 0.1 71.51
S25 30 0.00 31.3 5.82 14.33 18.67 23.1 7.4 0.062 0.912 12 0.283 0.476 2.73 30.5 69.1 0.2 0.2 345.66
S26 100 0.33 30 5.27 23.7 29.67 38.2 7.9 0.068 2.515 0.15 0.448 0.318 2.62 12.3 69.9 12.8 5 37.11
S27 60 0.33 30 6.18 12.02 101.67 19.4 7.8 0.042 0.700 <0.04 0.304 0.846 2.69 13.4 76.8 7.6 2.2 8.48
S28 100 0.2 32.3 8 11.76 77.67 19 7.9 0.050 0.679 15 0.647 1.54 2.66 0 44.9 39.4 15.7 <0.04
S29 100 0.2 30.3 7 12.38 118 20 3.9 0.093 0.870 0.3 0.441 0.953 2.75 3.5 96 0.3 0.2 <0.04
S30 100 0.25 33.7 8 11.91 83.33 19.2 7.1 0.061 0.700 0.08 1.09 2.33 2.61 0 15.3 61.1 23.6 <0.04
a water parameters
b sediment parameters
gold mining technique and the high proportion of larger Phormidium was mostly identified in the high river water
sediment particle size such as gravel and sand. The depth (Table 1), of which the light intensity would be
presence of dominant Navicula indicates stable sediment decreased. Phormidium is one of Cyanobacteria that
and moderate siltation [14]. On the other hand, adaptive living in less than 0.1% light intensity [23].

Table 2. Composition of dominant (relative density>20%) planktonic and benthic algae in river near ASGM area. S1-S6 is reported
as WG Regency; S7-S14 = MR Regencies; S15-S24 = DH Regencies; and S25-S30 = KB Regencies.
Taxa
Sites Baccilariophyta Chlorophyta Cyanophyta
Achnanthes Cymbella Gomphonema Gyrosigma Navicula Nitzschia Synedra Microspora Phormidium
S1 27.27*
S2 54.55 *
S3
S4 21.62* 21.62 *
S5 27.27 * 31.82 *
S6 21.05 * 36.84 * 21.05 *
S7 30.12**
S8 34.03 **
S9 23.19 ** 31.94 ** 30.42 **
S10 30.26 ** 33.85 **
S11
S12 59.64 **
**
S13 54.05
S14 28.71 ** 20.79 **
S15 29.81 **
S16 30.19 **
S17 26.3 ** 35.69 **
S18 29.77 ** 42.95 **
S19 21.83 **
S20 26.22 **
S21 28.49 **
S22
S23 33.65 **
S24 33.71 **
S25 21.62 ** 36.04 ** 21.17 **
S26 50 **
S27 21.78 ** 30.69 **
S28 27.59 *
S29 26.67 *
S30
* planktonic
** benthic

3.3 Determination Algae as Bioindicator
Principle component analysis (PCA) was performed
with varimax rotation to simplify a large data set of
physicochemical and biological variables that will be
distributed into several main factor groups. PCA analysis
shows that planktonic algae from 9 data sets and 23
variables were reduced become 7-factor groups with
loading score >0.5 (Table 3). However, the dominant
algae were only distributed into 4 groups. As shown by
the factor loading matrix in Table 3, PC2 was comprised
of Achnanthes , dissolved oxygen (DO), TSS, cation
exchange capacity (CEC) and gravel. It was also similar
to Gomphonema, Synedra, and pH in PC5 that had
loading score >0.5 (medium correlation). On the other
hand, Navicula, nitrate, and Hg in sediment were
distributed into PC4, then Nitzschia and Hg in water
belonged to PC6 with high loading score >0.7.
Following PCA, the multiple regression linear
analysis using stepwise method explains that Achnanthes
, Navicula, and Synedra were significantly affected by
several environmental parameters. Fig 2. (a) shows that
Navicula and nitrate had a strong positive relationship (R2
= 0.665). It indicates that Navicula was tolerant of nitrate
concentration in water. Navicula is one of the genera that
have a positive response to the high nutrient in water by
decomposing organic matter [8]. However, Achnanthes
presented strongest negative correlation with dissolved
oxygen (R2 = 0.742, Fig 2. (b)), while Synedra and pH
with weaker negative relation (R2 = 0.474, Fig 2. (c)) in
water. It means that Achnanthes has good tolerance to the
low dissolved oxygen of water. Achnanthes is able to live
in light reduction due to the dense canopy and high
turbidity. Similar to Achnanthes, Synedra demonstrated
the intermediate ability to adapt to a low level of pH.
According to Gasse and Tekaia (1983), species of
Synedra have specific tolerance to the different level of
acidity or alkalinity [24].
 Table 3. Variables and factor loadings after varimax rotation of planktonic algae in PCA analysis
Components
Variables
PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4 PC5 PC6 PC7
Depth (cm) -0.73
pH 0.87
Temperature (°C) -0.79
DO (mg/L) -0.74 0.52
TDS (mg/L) 0.61
TSS (mg/L) 0.88
Conductivity (µs/cm) 0.61
Nitrate (mg/L) 0.93
Ortophosphate (mg/L) 0.97
Hg water (µg/L) -0.91
Organic Carbon (%) -0.95
CEC (me/100 g) -0.64
Specific Gravity 0.96
Gravel (%) 0.61 -0.58
Sand (%) -0.96
Silt (%) 0.97
Clay (%) -0.65 0.53
Hg sediment (µg/kg) 0.79
Achnanthes 0.83
Gomphonema 0.61
Navicula 0.81
Nitzschia 0.78
Synedra -0.64
Eigenvalue 5.40 3.52 3.42 3.32 2.43 2.31 1.98
% of the total variance 23.46 15.32 14.86 14.45 10.58 10.04 8.62
% of cumulative 23.46 38.78 53.63 68.08 78.66 88.70 97.31
Note: Values in bold correspond to the absolute value of loading>0.50
The result also presents that there was no significant contamination along the river of 9 sampling sites. The
influence of Hg in water and sediment to the planktonic study has shown that periphytic or attached algae are able
algae in this study. It indicates that the dominant to describe the degree of pollution impacted by gold
planktonic algae were not appropriate to monitor mercury mining activity [14].

(a) (b)

(c)
Fig 2. Linear regression models describe the relationship between dominant planktonic algae and physicochemical water and sediment
parameters (a) Navicula (b) Achnanthes , (c) Synedra
 PCA produced 8 groups of factors from 21 of data composed by Gomphonema, Gyrosigma, Navicula, and
sets with 27 variables. The dominant benthic algae which Hg in sediment, while Synedra and water velocity belong
were distributed into 4 main factor groups are presented to the next principal component. The last, Achnanthes
in Table 4. The second principal component had high had a good correlation with temperature and Hg of water
loading of Cymbella, Microspora, Phormidium as well in the sixth principal component.
as pH and organic carbon. Moreover, the third factor was
Table 4. Variables and factor loadings after varimax rotation of benthic algae in PCA analysis
Components
Variables
PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4 PC5 PC6 PC7 PC8
Depth (cm) 0.81
Water velocity (m/s) 0.86
pH -0.60 -0.55
Temperature (°C) 0.85
DO (mg/L) 0.59 -0.51
TSS (mg/L) 0.85
TDS (mg/L) -0.81
Conductivity (µs/cm) -0.82
Ortophosphate (mg/L) 0.84
Nitrate (mg/L) 0.58 0.58
Hg water (µg/L) -0.66
Organic-Carbon (%) -0.78
CEC (me/100 g) -0.61
Specific Gravity -0.65 -0.63
Gravel -0.91
Sand 0.82
Silt 0.83
Clay 0.77
Hg sediment (µg/kg) -0.63
Achnanthes 0.87
Cymbella 0.90
Gomphonema 0.59
Gyrosigma 0.75
Navicula 0.88
Synedra 0.75
Microspora 0.90
Phormidium 0.52
Eigenvalue 5.99 3.54 2.67 2.45 2.45 2.42 2.07 2.00
% of the total variance 22.17 13.13 9.87 9.08 9.06 8.98 7.68 7.42
% of cumulative 22.17 35.29 45.16 54.24 63.30 72.28 79.96 87.38
Note: Values in bold correspond to the highest absolute value of loading>0.50
Regression linear analysis explains that the benthic and (f), R2 = 0.397; R2 = 0.385; R2 = 0.303, respectively).
algae genera were significantly influenced by several It indicates that the genera were tolerant to the decrease of
environmental parameters in river near ASGM area. pH level. Filamentous algae such as Phormidium and
However, the coefficient determination shows that the Microspora were able to be found in acid water system
models have a weak correlation. It was expected that there [26, 27], respectively.
were other unidentified environmental variables As a result above, mercury accumulation in sediment
influenced the dominant benthic algae. as the key parameter of river water quality degradation
The first model (R2 = 0.331, Fig 3. (a)) shows that due to gold mining process significantly affected
Achnanthes was positively affected by temperature as Navicula as benthic organism. If there was an increase of
well as Synedra by water velocity (R2 = 0.207, Fig 3. (c)). 1 µg.kg-1 total Hg concentration in sediment, the relative
It demonstrated that those genera have a good response to density of Navicula will decrease by 0.109%. It means
the increase in temperature and water velocity probably at that Navicula is potential to be an indicator of the mercury
a certain level. Achnanthes minutissima is a species that concentration in sediment. Peres et al. (1997) reported that
able to live in high temperature [25]. the exposure of MeHg reduced the cell density of Diatom
However, Fig 3. (b) describes the Hg accumulation in to 2.5 times for 34 days [28]. It also explained that
sediment that was negatively contributed to the relative pollutant from sediment was significantly affected
density of Navicula (R2 = 0.308). In addition, pH was the density. The abundance of Navicula aquaedurae clearly
only variable that negatively affected the abundance of decreased with initial doses MeHg in water 0.5 µg/L and
Cymbella, Microspora, and Phormidium (Fig 3. (d), (e) 2 mg.kg-1 from sediment source during 34 days.
 (a)
(c)
(e)
Fig 3. Linear regression models describe the relationship between dominant benthic algae and physicochemical water and sediment
parameters (a) Achnanthes , (b) Cymbella, (c) Navicula (d) Synedra, (e) Microspora, (f) Phormidium
In contrast, the genera that were not significantly
influenced by mercury was suggested due to different
response of genus to the presence of certain pollutant.
Phormidium and Microspora have been reported as the
tolerant and resistant genera to cooper heavy metal [29].
However, the accumulation process of a microorganism
to the pollutant can impact the cellular system. Algae are
able to accumulate mercury affecting cell division,
photosynthetic pigments, and membrane. Inorganic
mercury was mainly deposited in the nucleus, while
organomercury was detected in the nucleus and cytoplasm
[6]. A further study in cellular aspect approach is needed
to gain a comprehensive understanding of determination
algae as bioindicator
4 CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, Baccilariophyta group was generally
roled as algae indicator to determine water quality
(b)
(d)
(f)
degradation in river near ASGM area. Statistical analysis
shows that Navicula as a benthic organism is potential to
be bioindicator of water quality change of mercury
contamination. The high relative abundance of Navicula
as a benthic form was able to indicate the reduction of
mercury concentration in sediment river near ASGM area.
However, other environmental variables were also
possibly contributed to the density of Navicula.
This study was financially supported by The Indonesian
Directorate of Waste and Hazardous Waste as representative
Ministry of Environment and Forestry Republic Indonesia, and
Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). We are also
thankful to the local governments and community of each
regency for helping in the field, Dr. Nurul Chazanah, and an
anonymous reviewer.
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