Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability

Phytoremediation of Zinc (Zn) in Leachate-Contaminated Soil Using Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) with Compost Addition

Ameviana Fitri Noveira — 2026-05-04

Soil contamination by zinc (Zn) derived from landfill leachate poses significant ecological risks, particularly in regions with limited waste management capacity such as Indonesia. The Jatibarang landfill in Semarang has reported soil Zn concentrations exceeding the Ecological Soil Screening Level, highlighting the need for sustainable remediation strategies. This study
evaluated the stability of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)-based phytoremediation under varying plant densities and compost amendment in leachate-contaminated soil. A two-month greenhouse experiment was conducted using a 2 × 2 factorial completely randomised design with two planting densities (one and three plants per polybag) and two compost treatments (with and without compost). Parameters observed included soil Zn concentration, removal efficiency, bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), plant biomass, and soil pH, analysed using two-way ANOVA (? = 0.05). All treatments significantly reduced soil Zn concentrations from 174.41 mg/kg to 49.33-52.17 mg/kg, corresponding to removal efficiencies of 70.09-71.72%, with no statistically significant differences among treatment combinations. Zinc accumulation occurred predominantly in the roots, reflected by higher root BCF values and TF values generally below one, confirming phytostabilisation as the dominant remediation mechanism. These findings indicate that vetiver-based phytoremediation provides a stable and reliable strategy for controlling Zn mobility in landfill leachate-contaminated soils, supporting its application as a sustainable soil management approach.

Phytoremediation of Fe(III) Using Pistia stratiotes L. - Efficiency and Kinetic Insights

Raisya Fadilah Putri — 2026-05-04

The increasing presence of heavy metals (dense metallic elements, such as iron, which can be toxic at high levels) in industrial wastewater poses a substantial threat to environmental and human health, requiring the development of effective, sustainable treatment solutions. This study analyzes the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (also known as Kiambang, a floating aquatic plant) as a phytoremediation agent (an organism that removes pollutants from the environment) for extracting Iron (III) (the trivalent, oxidized form of iron) from synthetic wastewater (water with artificially added contaminants). The experiment was conducted in batch reactors (containers where reactions occur in set amounts) under controlled conditions, with modifications to the number of plants and contact length (the duration plants are exposed to contaminated water) to evaluate the effectiveness of iron removal. Iron concentrations were monitored spectrophotometrically (by measuring the amount of light absorbed by sample solutions) over time, and the phytoremediation kinetics (the rate and mechanism of pollutant removal) were investigated using zero, first, and second-order kinetic models (mathematical approaches to describe how quickly reactions occur). Results indicated that Pistia stratiotes L. was highly effective at reducing Fe (III) levels, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 99% under optimal conditions-specifically with 10 plants and 5 days of contact time. Kinetic analysis indicated that the second-order model provided the best fit, suggesting a chemisorption-dominated process (removal primarily involves chemical bonding between the plant and iron ions). These findings emphasize the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. as a green and efficient solution for Fe (III) removal from wastewater and offer significant insight into optimizing phytoremediation system design for industrial applications.

Multidimensional Scaling - Based Framework for Assessing the Sustainability of Communal Wastewater Treatment System

Rinda Meylani Widyasari — 2026-05-04

This study evaluates the sustainability of a communal wastewater treatment plant (CWWTP) in Pohjentrek Village, Pasuruan City, Indonesia, by integrating across five dimensions, technical, social, economic, environmental, and institutional using Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS), complemented by leverage and Monte Carlo analyses to identify critical attributes and validate model robustness. The results show that the social and environmental dimensions achieved a very sustainable status, with index values of 82.71 and 82.40, respectively. These findings reflect strong community acceptance of the communal wastewater treatment system and recognition of its environmental benefits, particularly in reducing potential groundwater contamination in densely populated residential areas. In contrast, the technical (67.38), economic (74.02), and institutional (72.10) dimensions were classified as sufficiently sustainable, indicating that the system remains operational but exhibits several structural vulnerabilities. Technical sustainability is constrained by effluent quality that has not yet consistently met regulatory standards and by the absence of routine effluent monitoring. While economic sustainability remains highly dependent on limited household contributions due to the absence of other funding source. Institutional sustainability largely relies on the commitment of local managers. The reliability of the sustainability assessment is supported by low stress values (0.14–0.15), high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.94–0.95), and Monte Carlo deviations below 5%, indicating a stable and statistically robust MDS configuration. Importantly, the sustainability classification reflects the aggregated performance across multiple dimensions rather than relying solely on individual indicators such as effluent compliance. This study contributes to the literature on sanitation sustainability by providing a validated, attribute-level sustainability diagnosis that integrates system performance with multidimensional analysis. The findings highlight the identification of sensitive attributes and priority interventions, enabling more targeted and effective management strategies for improving the sustainability of communal wastewater treatment systems.

Scenario-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Downstream Hazardous Wastewater Treatment for Environmental Impact Reduction

Assyfa Sopyasari — 2026-05-04

The rapid growth of industry in Indonesia has led to an increase in Hazardous and Toxic Waste (B3), including liquid waste with complex chemical characteristics that pose high environmental risks. Treatment facilities for B3 wastewater can generate significant impacts such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), Human Toxicity Potential (HTP), and Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity Potential (FAETP). This study evaluates the implementation of treated water recycling using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method with the CML-IA Baseline approach. The functional unit applied was 1 m³of treated wastewater. Results show that under the baseline scenario, GWP reached 102.89 kg CO₂eq, HTP 62.92 kg 1,4 DB eq, and FAETP 10.11 kg 1,4-DB eq. Applying recycling scenarios of 30%; 50%; and 80% consistently reduced impacts across all categories. Each 10% increase in recycling volume reduced environmental burdens by approximately 10%. These findings highlight recycling as an effective and measurable strategy to reduce environmental impacts while supporting sustainable production and consumption principles.

Risk Assessment of Chemical Exposure through Consumption of Rainwater in Coastal Areas

Muhammad Syahrir — 2026-05-04

Coastal communities rely heavily on Rainwater as their main drinking water source, even though it can be contaminated with harmful chemicals such as nitrates, cadmium, fluoride, and lead. Prolonged exposure to these contaminants poses significant health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive health risk assessment of chemical exposure through rainwater consumption in coastal populations. An observational-analytical design was used, with the Environmental and Health Risk Assessment framework. The study population was divided into two groups: community and environmental samples. Rainwater samples were collected from eight shelter points, while 94 residents (children and adults) were selected as study subjects. Data collection was carried out through laboratory analysis and structured interviews. The Environmental and Health Risk Assessment methodology is carried out in four stages: hazard identification, dose-response analysis, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The results showed that the concentration of chemical parameters (NO₃, Cd, Pb, and F) in Rainwater was still within the permissible limits, indicating that Rainwater was relatively safe for consumption. The study provides important insights into the chemical risks associated with Rainwater, offering a foundation for targeted interventions to protect public health, strengthen resilience to environmental hazards, and ensure sustainable management of water resources. The results of the study show that the quality of Rainwater consumed by coastal communities is still within safe limits, but it still needs attention because prolonged exposure has the potential to cause health problems, the study also contributes to the existing literature by integrating chemical risk assessment into public health planning for vulnerable coastal populations, highlighting the importance of proactive risk management strategies in mitigating long-term health impacts.

Evaluation of Composting Technology Cooperation in Southeast Asia: DAC-Based Analysis and Comparison with GIZ

Makoto Osuga — 2026-05-04

This study conducts a cross-case analysis of compost-related technical cooperation projects implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Southeast Asia, applying the six OECD/DAC evaluation criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability). The analysis covers six projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. First, publicly available ex-post evaluation reports were analysed through close reading of report narratives and cited evidence. Second, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders were used to triangulate documentary evidence and validate interpretations of the evaluation results. The findings suggest that project performance and sustainability
are driven less by the technical sophistication of composting systems per se than by institutional fit and the design of local participation. As a comparative reference, the study also examines three cases under the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)’s ProSoil programme. The comparison indicates that GIZ’s strategic combination of standardised ‘ready-made’ equipment and a long-term programme framework contributed to higher scores on efficiency and sustainability, whereas selected JICA projects demonstrated relative strengths in contextual adaptation and community
engagement. Overall, the results imply that effective compost technology cooperation requires project designs that explicitly integrate institutional conditions and an appropriate support horizon, in addition to technical content.

Effectiveness of Ultrafiltration Membrane Technology Combined with Zeolite–Ginger Coral Adsorbent in pH, TDS, EC, Fe, and Mn in Groundwater for Clean Water Production

Susi Susanti — 2026-05-04

Groundwater is a vital water source for many communities, especially in rural areas, but its quality often fails to meet clean water standards due to contaminants such as heavy metals, organic compounds, and unsuitable pH, TDS, and EC levels. This study examines an integrated water treatment system combining adsorption and ultrafiltration technologies. The process begins with adsorption using zeolite and coral ginger stone to remove contaminants through ion exchange and Van der Waals interactions. The pre-treated water is then filtered through an ultrafiltration membrane to eliminate suspended solids and microorganisms based on pore size exclusion. The novelty of this study lies in the variation of adsorbent compositions, namely 100 g zeolite, 100 g coral ginger stone, and a 50:50 g mixture. Results indicate that the 50:50 combination provides the highest efficiency in improving groundwater quality. Under optimal conditions, TDS decreased to 38 ppm, EC to 76 µS/cm, temperature reached 29.8 °C, and pH approached neutral at 6.28, meeting clean water standards.

Sustainable Alternatives for Chemical Waste Management in Testing and Calibration Laboratory

Ranti Wulandari — 2026-05-04

Laboratory waste represents a growing global concern due to its potential impacts on environmental quality, human health, and safety when improperly managed. At IPB University, laboratory activities generate up to 5 tons of wastewater per month, emphasizing the need for effective and sustainable waste management strategies. This study proposes a structured gap-to-roadmap framework for independent chemical waste management in testing and calibration laboratories. The framework integrates criteria-based gap analysis, a literature-derived waste minimization checklist, and phased implementation planning. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and literature review and analyzed using a qualitative, criteria-based approach. The results indicate that the PPLH IPB Laboratory generates approximately 100–481 L of chemical waste annually. While several minimization practices have been implemented, key gaps remain in standard operating procedures, labeling systems, temporary storage, and recovery and recycling practices. The checklist analysis further identifies feasible strategies, including solvent recycling and inter-laboratory chemical exchange, with significant potential for waste reduction and improved resource efficiency. The proposed framework translates identified gaps into targeted actions and assigns them into short-, medium-, and long-term implementation phases. This approach provides a practical and replicable tool for laboratories seeking to transition toward independent, compliant, and environmentally sustainable waste management systems, particularly in resource-constrained settings.