Year: 2025 | Month: January | Volume: 12 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 369-375
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20250146
Analysis of Heavy Metal Content (Cd, Hg, and Pb) in Rice Harvested by Farmers in Dengilo District, Pohuwato Regency Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS)
Ishak Isa1, Muhammad Taupik2, Sela Andriyani Rahman3, Madania4, Mohamad Aprianto Paneo5
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
2,3,4,5Departemen of Pharmacy, Faculty of Sport and Health, State University of Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Muhammad Taupik
ABSTRACT
Rice is the staple food for a significant portion of the global population, particularly in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to determine whether rice cultivated in Dengilo District, Pohuwato Regency, is contaminated with heavy metals. The research employed qualitative and quantitative methods using various reagents, including HNO3, 55% HCl, HClO4, H2SO4, Potassium Iodide (KI), NaOH, Na2CO3, and an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) instrument. The results revealed that the qualitative tests showed positive contamination in rice samples A, B, and D, indicated by color changes and the formation of precipitates, while sample C tested negative. Quantitative tests confirmed the presence of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, and Pb) in all samples, although within permissible limits. Among the three metals, cadmium (Cd) exhibited the highest average concentration at 0.0465 mg/kg. This elevated Cd level is attributed to the repetitive use of phosphate fertilizers and pesticides, industrial waste discharge, vehicle combustion emissions, heavy metal residues from industrial processes, and atmospheric deposition. The study concludes that all rice samples tested positive for heavy metals (Cd, Hg, and Pb); however, their concentrations remain within the safe thresholds established by regulatory standards.
Keywords: Rice, Heavy Metals, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS)
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