DETECTION OF THE LEAD CONTAMINATION LEVEL IN THE ENVIRONMENT USING CATTLE AS A BIOINDICATOR

Abstract

Environmental pollution by lead is suspected to be increasing, both in the plants, soil, and water. The lead contamination in plants will spread to livestock production and then to humans. The aim of the study was to examine the level of lead contamination in the blood of cattle associated with the level of contamination in the soil and water at the location where the cattle were kept. Cattle blood samples were taken by purposive sampling method in each Regency in Bali, accompanied by soil and water samples from this location. Examination of cattle blood, soil and water samples was carried out for the presence of lead using the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method, at the Analytical Laboratory of Udayana University. The results of the examination of 270 samples of cattle blood, obtained the results of 20 cattle exposed to lead with an average of 0.109 ± 0.080 ppm. Examination of lead contamination at 20 exposed cattle farm locations obtained lead content data of 0.239±0.136 ppm in soil and 0.192±0.894 in water, respectively. The level of lead contamination in the soil and water are higher than that of cattle blood. Regression test showed that lead levels in cattle blood can be a predictor of lead contamination in soil and water. on the cattle farm. The conclusion is the presence of lead heavy metal contamination in cattle blood can be used as a bioindicator of lead heavy metal pollution in the soil and drinking water environment.