Magnetic Susceptibility and Hydrogen Cyanide Levels as Proxy Indicator for Gold Mining Pollution in River Sediment

Sumbawa’s Kuris River is one of the rivers contaminated by island’s traditional gold mine. In order to detect contaminant levels, we examine magnetic susceptibility, HCN and heavy metal contents on river’s surface sediment. Environmental pollution has been widely assessed using a combination properties geochemical analysis. The goals this research are discover how susceptibility (χ) can be used as first-order proxy for pollution. relation between particular interest, major associated with mining. sediment samples were collected at ten different locations along rivers. was determined Bartington MS2B, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentration Argentometric titration. element content an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). low-frequency (χlf) ranges from 71 115×10-8 m3/kg, average 97×10-8 χfd(%) analysis 2% 4%. presence spherical iron oxides, which indicative combustion byproducts, also confirmed SEM. have low but high levels Hg HCN. AAS results showed Fe, Zn, Cu concentrations in river sediments, more variable Hg, Mn, As, Cr, Au. Because Cu, significant Pearson’s correlation χfd(%), parameter useful indicator contamination caused mining waste.