Abstract

Musi River, with its eight tributaries, is the largest river in Palembang. However, as time passes by, pollution has become one of its biggest problems. The pollution was generally caused by domestic and industrial activities. This research was aimed: (1) to analyze the content of Pb and Cd in water and sediment; (2) to examine the content of Coliform bacteria in water; (3) to identify the physical and chemical parameters of water; (4) to determine the enrichment factor and accumulation index of Pb and Cd metals in sediment, and (5) to determine the river’s water quality based on Pollution Index (IP) and STORET. Based on the research, it was found that the average content of Pb and Cd at the six stations had exceeded the quality standards reaching 0.03 and 0. 01mg.l-1. The average concentrations of Pb and Cd in sediment were 4.49 and 0.15mg.kg-1 which still met the quality standards of ANZECC/ ARMCANZ and CCME. Based on the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the accumulation index (Igeo) of Pb and Cd, it was found that the river had not been contaminated and was low in contamination. The coliform content in water reached 1,600 MPN.100ml-1 indicating that it was not suitable to use as a source of conventional drinking water treatment. The pollution index showed that all stations had been heavily polluted.

Keywords: Musi river; Pb and Cd in water and sediment; Physical and chemical parameters; Coliform; EF and Igeo