Heavy Metals in Water of Stream Near an Amalgamation Tailing Ponds in Talawaan – Tatelu Gold Mining, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

AbstractHeavy metals exposed to the environment as a result of Talawaan–Tatelu mining activity (North Sulawesi, Indonesia) potentially contaminated the surrounding area. The purpose of this study was to determine the content of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg in water of stream near an amalgamation tailing pond in Talawaan–Tatelu mining. The metals were determined using ICP/MS, except Hg using CVAFS method. In general, the metals content in water of stream near Talawaan–Tatelu mining is higher than one found in the river water near the other traditional mining in Indonesia and the world's metals average content in the river water, but lower than the Indonesian standard of water quality