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| Shellfish Hunter. Photo: Doc. Author |
Administratively, located at Unit Wanggu River Basin (SWS) Lasolo-Sampara. Most Watershed (DAS) Wanggu located in residential areas, farms, and agricultural areas. The total area reaches 32 389 hectares of watershed, which stretches from the mountains Boro-Boro, Wolasi, to Kendari Bay
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One of the biodiversity of both the river icons Wanggu are mangrove clams (Polymesoda Sp.). Local people call Kalandue. Due to habitat around the mangroves, it is certain that the ecosystem is the estuary of the river.
Kendari coastal communities is very familiar with the mangrove clams. They make typical food, as well as an important economic resource for hundreds of seekers and sellers of shells.
In the city of Kendari, the seeker shellfish concentrate their activities in the region and the Bay Bridge New Market Kendari.
The area was once filled with mangroves. Along with the development of the city, mangrove land now turned into residential areas and fish ponds.
The river estuary also became polluted by urban activities are increasingly complex. As a result, the water quality dropped dramatically. Kalandue no longer fully into highly nutritious source of food. Instead turned into a culinary which can endanger health.
Allegations against Kalandue heavy metal contamination has been reported since 2006. Research results Mr Muhtar Kumkelo, who was then Director of the Institute for Health and Environmental Advocacy Sultra, find the content of mercury (Hg) in Shellfish Kalandue. He analyzed the content of Mercury and Cadmium on some soil and sediment samples Kalandue.
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| Shellfish (Kalandue) |
The content of mercury in all samples of shellfish stands at 0.5371 to 0.7180 ppm. While on the ground sediment reaching 0.39 to 1.47 ppm. This figure is much to exceed the threshold of tolerance of the content of mercury in marine biota are determined by WHO which is equal to 0,005 ppm. Muhtar said the heavy metal content of shellfish is now certainly be much higher as pollution increases.
"From our data from 1970 to 1990, the type of shellfish Kendari and the surrounding bay area is reduced due to a lot of pollution. Which survive only shells Kalandue mangrove or so-called because it is able to withstand the chemical and biological waste, " said Muhtar that when contacted was in Ambon, Maluku, Saturday (09/05/2015) then.
Environmental experts Mr. La Ode Alwi say, physically Wanggu River pollution has entered the weight category. It is seen from the color of the water is murky yellowish and garbage scattered along the river. As for chemical contamination is still in a moderate level. It is based State of Environment (SLHD) Kendari released in 2014.
Kalandue dangers of consuming not only because of the content of heavy metals, but also from the bacterium E. coli. This is because many closed water disposal (WC) owned by residents who do not have septic tanks (tank). Sewage directly discharged into the river Wanggu.
Worse, Kalandue still growing with content that is not suitable for consumption. Organic materials, metals, and bacteria that settles in the bottom of the river will be mixed into humus. Kalandue very pleased with humus so it will stay in it.
Alwi added, shellfish it is like a vacuum cleaner will suck anything that was nearby, including heavy metals. In the body shells, heavy metals manipulated for growth. Thus, the concentration of heavy metals higher and higher in the body of the organism.
"Mussels did not suffer any effect and will not affect its growth rate. But not so with humans. The buildup of heavy metals because often consume shellfish that contain heavy metals would be dangerous to health, " said Alwi in Kendari, Sunday (04/26/2015).
Although the threat Kalandue with poisonous content is quite alarming, Center for Drug and Food Control (BPOM) Southeast Sulawesi have never done heavy metal test against Kalandue and processed. BPOM head Southeast Sulawesi Adilah Pababbari reasoned there are still more parties authorized to conduct testing and publication of the safety of the shellfish consumed.
"If true Kalandue consumed contain heavy metals such as mercury, then it can lead to cancer. Not only that, the condition of polluted waters in the biota water may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli, "said Adilah in his office, Thursday (30/04/2015).
Meanwhile, Director of the Forum for the Environment (WALHI) Southeast Sulawesi Mr. Kisran Makati say, there has been no study as well as the results of recent research on the safety of consuming shellfish around Wanggu River estuary.
"Regarding the contamination of heavy metals such as mercury that dissolves in water and sediment has been widely found not only around the mouth of the River Wanggu but also in a number of other points in Kendari Bay," said Kisran in Kendari, Sunday (05/17/2015).
Therefore, he said, to follow up on allegations of shells containing heavy metals, 2015. The company will invite a number of parties such as haluoleo university (UHO) and the Environment Agency (BLH) to review whether Shellfish Kalandue safely consumed by residents.
Need More Testing
Head of Pollution Control Environment Agency (BLH) Southeast Sulawesi Province Mrs. Supiati recognize the results of research conducted by Muhtar Kumkelo been verified and tested further to the heavy metal content appropriate point Muhtar research sites. But it does not find the content of mercury in water and sediments. As for the content of mercury and heavy metals in the mussels were not followed up at the time because it is not a domain BLH.
"If anything the shells, it is also doubtful because they have seen first accredited laboratory where it is examined or not. Because if it is not accredited, sanctioned the truth, "said Supiati when met at his office on Monday (18/05/2015).
Supiati also denied claims if there are currently Mercury contamination in the waters of the Gulf of Kendari and Wanggu River. According to him, in order to determine it must be in an accredited laboratory. She also doubted the data contained in WALHI as it should be if there are findings should disambaikan to BLH for verification.
Based on the Environmental Status (SLHD) Kendari In 2014, the water quality of major rivers (including Wanggu River) flowing in the city of Kendari has much decreased due to the contaminated solid waste and household waste pollutants.
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| River Pollution. Photo: Author |
Head of Head of Pollution Control Environment Agency Kendari Mrs. Rusnani claimed to be surprised if the contamination of river mussels Wanggu also affect Kalandue who live there. She said that, until now there is no information as well as the results of recent research regarding the safety or do not eat shellfish from the estuary Wanggu.
"There should be steps to conduct studies and research on mussels Kalandue it because it concerns the health and safety of residents of the city of Kendari. For that we will coordinate it to a BLH Southeast Sulawesi province and a number of related parties, "said Rusnani in his office, Monday (05/18/2015).
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| Mangrove Forest Logging. Photo: Author |
"But if the study of metal content in mussels was required then we will test Kalandue around Wanggu River in accordance with the work program. In 2006, it also needs to be seen the phenomenon of what is there. Could then use a chemical trap is high indeed, but today is generally determined to be safe because there are no complaints from residents, " Ridwan said in his office, Thursday (21/05/2015).
Head of the Laboratory of Development and Fishery Products Quality Testing Southeast Sulawesi Province Mr. Agustinus says, shellfish in Kendari has never been tested since 1980. In that year, the shells of Kendari had exported but without metal test because supervision is still lacking. In subsequent years, the shells are not exported again for no apparent reason.
To test the content of Shellfish Kalandue this time, can not be done because of the testing machine was broken. Possibly at the end of the new year can be tested.
"So far not been tested because no company makes Shellfish Kalandue as products sold and no complaints from residents who complained Kalandue Kendari," said Agustinus in his office, Thursday (21/05/2015).
Agustinus added, the difference shellfish that contain heavy metals and do not contain heavy metals that can not be seen from the shape of shells. Therefore, before any further study on the safety of Shellfish Kalandue, the people who consume it are advised to choose Kalandue clear origin and must be treated with care.
Agustinus tells big earth-shattering cases have occurred with the emergence of a new type of disease called Minamata Minamata disease or syndrome. This disease gets its name from the city of Minamata, Japan, which is an area where an outbreak began in 1958.
The disease results in neurological dysfunction caused by acute intoxication by mercury (quicksilver) due to consumption of shellfish and fish from polluted Minamata Bay mercury. However, Agustinus was reluctant to speak further about the disease because it is a sensitive matter, if disclosed especially shellfish in the region Wanggu River estuary as well not exist the test results.
Economic Impact
The reason Mr. Augustine is quite reasonable. The verdict is too early to hazard Wanggu River Shellfish Kalandue origin can have a major impact on the survival of hundreds of people whose livelihoods depend on these coastal biota.
One of the shells seeker Mr. Jasrin admitted Kalandue demand is high enough so that many residents of the city of Kendari came looking for the types of shellfish. Shells they get sold to collectors and there are also consumed alone.
"When we started down low tide looking for Kalandue every day. Now it is somewhat difficult because of the failure by many search rival Kalandue. So clever-clever course we are looking for a nice place, "said Jasrin, Friday (08/05/2015).
Search other shellfish, Mrs. Eti has its own schedule seek Kalandue, namely every Saturday and Sunday. Kalandue shells which have been separated by the skin sells for Rp 5,000 per bowl of used packaging of soap.
Eti said, first sought Kalandue in 1997. At that time, Kalandue still abundant around Wanggu River estuary. But now the number on the wane since the land around the river has changed from mangroves into fishponds.***
Author: Muhamad Taslim Dalma (Jurnalis in Kendari)
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