The influence of Water Hyacinth to Decrease the Heavy Metals Mercury (Hg) Concentration for Irrigation

Research was conducted in July - September 2012, mercury analysis performed in Environmental Engineering of Engineering Faculty, Andalas University. Levels of mercury that are permitted by Government Regulation Republic Indonesia No. 82 of 2001, fourth grade for water quality is 0.005 mg/l. There mercury content of 0.020169 mg/l in irrigated areas Batang Hari. The research aims to find out ability level water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes Sloms) to decrease content mercury and to find water depth suitable for phytoremediation. This research uses experimental methods in laboratory. Initial content of heavy metals mercury (Hg) that has been used is 0.02 mg/l in depth water 40 cm and 50 cm. Result in decreased concentrations of heavy metals mercury compared with quality standard heavy metal mercury for fourth grade water quality. The result showed that water hyacinth was able to restore the water quality of heavy metal contaminated Hg for irrigation. Decrease in the concentration of heavy metals mercury of 20 days at depth 40 cm reaching 94.3 % and depth of 50 cm reaching 85.7 %. Mercury concentration reaches a threshold quality standard for irrigation water depth of 40 cm during the 12 days and depth of 50 cm during 16 days.