Pollution Research Paper

WATER QUALITY AND POLLUTION INDEX OF TEMPE LAKE IN SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

AHMAD YANI, MOHAMAD AMIN, FATCHUR ROHMAN AND ENDANG SUARSINI, HAERUNNISA

Abstract

Lake Tempe is one of the largest lakes in South Sulawesi. It is located in the Wajo district. The primary source of Lake Tempe water is several rivers nearby that accommodate a number of human activities such as transportation, bathing, washing, agriculture and other activities. The direct interaction of the community with the rivers that flow into the lake may adversely impact the water ecosystems. The aim of this study was to analyze the water quality and pollutant index of Lake Tempe. Water samples of Lake Tempe were collected from seven sampling points. In situ: temperature, hydrogen ion (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO) and ex-situ: turbidity, total suspended solid (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3) measurements were performed to examine the physicochemical parameters of the water. The results of the physical and chemical parameter tests showed a decrease in the water quality of Tempe Lake with a series of values: temperature (29-31.50°C), pH (6-7), DO (3.5-6 mg/L), BOD (5.5-8.00 mg/L), turbidity (60-80 mg/L), TSS (80-180 mg/L), PO4 (0.10-0.31 mg/L) and NO3 (0.10-0.25 mg/L). Based on the government regulation of the Indonesian water quality standard concerning the management of water quality and control of water pollution, these figures indicate that the lake is “moderately polluted”. The water quality index analysis showed that the three sampling points were categorized into the “bad” class and the other four were in the “middle class”.