Analysis Of Water Quality In The Dumai River Tourism Forest As A Study For Seven Flower Nature Tourism Management Activities
Analysis of Water Quality in the Dumai River Tourism Forest: Study for the Management of Seven Flower Nature Tourism
Introduction
The Dumai River Tourism Forest, covering an area of 47.65 hectares at the Bunga Tujuh Tourism Site, is one of the most important natural tourism destinations in Dumai, Riau. As a vital water resource, the Dumai River plays a crucial role in people's lives, serving as a source of drinking water, recreation, fisheries, animal husbandry, and irrigation. Therefore, understanding the water quality and level of pollution is essential to control and ensure that the water meets the permitted quality standards.
Background
The Dumai River Tourism Forest is a popular destination for nature tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world. However, the increasing number of tourists has put a strain on the environment, leading to concerns about water pollution. The Dumai River is a vital component of the ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of aquatic life. However, the presence of pollutants in the water can have devastating effects on the environment and human health.
Research Methodology
The research on water quality in the Dumai River Tourism Forest was conducted from December 2007 to March 2008. The researchers focused on physical analysis and water chemistry, with references to Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning Water Quality Management and Water Pollution Control. Sampling was carried out in three locations, namely the inlet area, the middle area, and the outlet area. The parameters analyzed include temperature, color, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, chlorine (CL), BioChemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
Results
The analysis shows that most parameters, such as temperature, color, TSS, TDS, and Chlorine, are within the limits of water quality standards. However, the PH, BOD, and COD parameters show values that do not meet the established standards. Based on the pollution index method, water quality in the three locations is classified as low polluted, with successive pollution index for the inlet location of 3.88, the middle location of 4.26, and the outlet location of 4.47.
Discussion
The results of this study provide valuable insights for the manager of the Tujuh Flower Nature Tourism in taking steps to improve and better environmental management. Ensuring good water quality is very important to maintain the sustainability of ecosystems, support tourism activities, and provide benefits to the local community. The existence of high BOD and COD parameters should be a special concern, because this shows the presence of organic matter content that has the potential to disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Conclusion
Effective management efforts are needed to maintain and improve water quality in the Dumai River tourism forest. Steps such as planting riparian vegetation, good waste management, and education to visitors about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness can be a solution to maintain the quality of water resources. With good management, the Dumai River Tourism Forest can not only be a safe and comfortable place for recreation, but also contributes to environmental sustainability and the welfare of the surrounding community.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Planting Riparian Vegetation: Planting riparian vegetation can help to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the water, improve water quality, and maintain the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
- Good Waste Management: Good waste management practices, such as proper disposal of waste and recycling, can help to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the water.
- Education and Awareness: Education and awareness programs can help to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness and the impact of pollution on the environment.
- Regular Monitoring: Regular monitoring of water quality is essential to ensure that the water meets the permitted quality standards and to identify any potential problems early.
Future Research Directions
Future research directions include:
- Long-term Monitoring: Long-term monitoring of water quality is essential to understand the trends and patterns of water pollution and to identify any potential problems early.
- Impact of Human Activities: The impact of human activities, such as agriculture, industry, and urbanization, on water quality should be studied to understand the potential sources of pollution.
- Development of Sustainable Tourism Practices: The development of sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible tourism, can help to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and promote environmental sustainability.
References
- Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning Water Quality Management and Water Pollution Control.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2006). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2007). Water Quality Standards.
Appendices
Appendix A: Water Quality Parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Inlet | Middle | Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | °C | 25.5 | 26.2 | 27.1 |
| Color | mg/L | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| TDS | mg/L | 200 | 220 | 250 |
| TSS | mg/L | 50 | 60 | 70 |
| pH | - | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
| CL | mg/L | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| BOD | mg/L | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| COD | mg/L | 20 | 25 | 30 |
Appendix B: Pollution Index
| Location | Pollution Index |
|---|---|
| Inlet | 3.88 |
| Middle | 4.26 |
| Outlet | 4.47 |
Note: The pollution index is calculated based on the parameters analyzed, with higher values indicating higher levels of pollution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Water Quality in the Dumai River Tourism Forest
Q: What is the significance of the Dumai River Tourism Forest?
A: The Dumai River Tourism Forest is a vital natural tourism destination in Dumai, Riau, covering an area of 47.65 hectares at the Bunga Tujuh Tourism Site. It serves as a source of drinking water, recreation, fisheries, animal husbandry, and irrigation for the local community.
Q: What are the main parameters analyzed in the study?
A: The study analyzed the following parameters: temperature, color, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, chlorine (CL), BioChemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
Q: What are the results of the study?
A: The study found that most parameters, such as temperature, color, TSS, TDS, and Chlorine, are within the limits of water quality standards. However, the PH, BOD, and COD parameters show values that do not meet the established standards.
Q: What is the pollution index method used in the study?
A: The pollution index method is a way to classify water quality based on the parameters analyzed. In this study, the pollution index for the inlet location is 3.88, the middle location is 4.26, and the outlet location is 4.47, indicating low levels of pollution.
Q: What are the recommendations for improving water quality in the Dumai River tourism forest?
A: The study recommends the following steps to improve water quality: planting riparian vegetation, good waste management, and education to visitors about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness.
Q: What are the potential sources of pollution in the Dumai River tourism forest?
A: The potential sources of pollution in the Dumai River tourism forest include human activities such as agriculture, industry, and urbanization, as well as the presence of organic matter content that has the potential to disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Q: What is the importance of regular monitoring of water quality?
A: Regular monitoring of water quality is essential to ensure that the water meets the permitted quality standards and to identify any potential problems early.
Q: What are the future research directions for water quality in the Dumai River tourism forest?
A: Future research directions include long-term monitoring of water quality, the impact of human activities on water quality, and the development of sustainable tourism practices.
Q: What are the references used in the study?
A: The study references Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning Water Quality Management and Water Pollution Control, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking-water quality, and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality standards.
Q: What are the appendices included in the study?
A: The study includes appendices A and B, which provide additional information on water quality parameters and pollution index, respectively.
Q: What is the significance of the study for the local community?
A: The study provides valuable insights for the manager of the Tujuh Flower Nature Tourism in taking steps to improve and better environmental management, ensuring good water quality, and promoting environmental sustainability and the welfare of the surrounding community.
Q: What are the implications of the study for sustainable tourism practices?
A: The study highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible tourism, to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and promote environmental sustainability.
Q: What are the limitations of the study?
A: The study has limitations, including the short duration of the study and the limited number of parameters analyzed.
Q: What are the future directions for research on water quality in the Dumai River tourism forest?
A: Future research directions include long-term monitoring of water quality, the impact of human activities on water quality, and the development of sustainable tourism practices.