Gold mining and agriculture threaten water quality in Aceh Jaya
Surface water quality in Aceh Jaya district, Indonesia was studied to see how human activities like gold mining and agriculture affect the water. The researchers looked at ion concentrations in two rivers and found that the water quality met standards for physical and chemical parameters. Heavy metals like mercury were found in low levels, but cyanide levels were within safe limits. However, the presence of mercury in the water is still a concern because it can build up in aquatic organisms over time.