A study conducted by the Haluoleo University recently found excessive amounts of mercury
in South Sulawesi waters, which endanger the
lives of local people.
Samples taken from the banks of the Langkowala
River discovered the
mercury content was 0.9 milligram (mg) per liter, 30 times the tolerable limit.
Aslan, the dean of the university’s School
of Fishery, said Thursday the
hazardous chemical might be spilling out from a traditional gold mine in
Bombana regency and flowing into the Tiworo
Strait in Muna regency through the Langkowala River, where the gold miners dump their
waste.
Tiworo Strait is the most popular fishing area
in the province.
“The government should conduct a crackdown on the rampant distribution of
mercury, which we believe is the result of illegal trading,” Aslan told Antara
state news agency.
Provincial legislative council speaker Sutan Harahap shared Aslan’s concern. He
demanded that police take action against those responsible for the pollution,
including illegal mercury traders.
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