Total Bacteria and Fungi in Gold-Mine Tailing in Buru of Indonesia after Three-Year Natural Revegetation

Abstract

The concern of agricultural environment damage due to amalgamation process of gold mining in Indonesia is increased. Gold mine tailing deposition in agricultural land pose a serious problem about the mercury (Hg) accumulation in soil. The objective of this study was to verify the population of heterotroph-aerobic bacteria and filamentous fungi in the tailing deposit grown with pioneer plants in comparison to both population in bare tailing after three-year revegetation. Moreover, the research was conducted to analyze the different of acidity (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) of both sites. The study area was performed in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Waelo village of Buru Regency, Maluku Province. The bacterial and fungal population in tailing that is naturally grown by sedges and grasses were lower than that in bare tailing without vegetation. In general, the bacterial and fungal count of tailing with vegetation was 9.3 and 4.3. while in bare tailing were 8.49 and 3.79. The acidity of both locations was not different but the pH was strongly acid ranged from 3.52-4.29. The EC was lower (21.61) in the tailing with vegetation compared to bare tailing without vegetation (58.94). This study suggested that the fungal and bacterial population as well as pH were increased after revegetation that benefit plant growth.