Analysis of biofilms as a biomonitoring agent for Cr(VI) pollution in Cokro River, Malang Regency.

Contamination caused by heavy metals such as Cr(VI) has become a serious problem in the aquatic environment in the world. Various kinds of research to avoid the destructive effects of pollution in multiple ecosystems are being investigated. One of the important efforts is to keep track of existence of heavy metals in aquatic environment. However, the monitoring of heavy metal existence meets several blockages, in this case due to the water stream of the river. This research was aimed to investigate the use of biofilm matrix as a biological agent to monitor water river quality and focused on Cr(VI) pollution in the Cokro River, Malang Regency. Cr(VI) concentrations in water and biofilm were investigated. The environmental parameters of Cokro River were also analyzed, there were temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and salinity. The summary of this study showed that the concentration of Cr(VI) in the biofilms was higher than in water. Based on the results of this research, the biofilm matrix was a potential agent to monitor Cr(VI) concentration in the lotic ecosystems especially in Cokro River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]