THE EFFECT OF HARMFUL AND FAVORABLE GAS AND CHEMICAL CONTENT EMITTED BY MUD VOLCANO TO ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The recent eruption of Kesongo mud volcano (MV) that occurred in 28 August 2020 in Blora, Central Java was a common natural phenomenon. MV eruption occurred periodically depending on the recharge fluid system that interconnected to a geothermal system and hydrocarbon reservoir. During the eruption, methane and CO2 gas were emitted to the atmosphere together with rocks, muds and fluids flowing from the fracture and fault system of MV. The extruded materials could be harmful and beneficial for the affected ecosystem. Aims: This study aimed to address the potential impact of the extruded mud volcano materials to the environment. Methodology and Results: An attempt was carried out by investigating gas and fluid content of every mud volcano morphology in the selected 11 areas of Kradenan, Central Java and Sidoarjo, East Java. The pristine fluids and gas of MV were sampled for chemical and toxic compound observation. Gas composition and type was observed using gas chromatography. The result shows that methane gas content ranges from 0.06 to 67.6 mol%., while the CO2 content ranges from 0.21 to 79.9 mol%. Methane gas exhibits thermogenic gas that associated with hydrocarbon generation. Conclusion, significance and impact study: The chemical compound of fluids indicates high Boron (B) content above 0.5 ppm which has harmful effect for crops and human health, but some compounds of Ca, Na, K, Mg present as essential elements for soil nutrient. According to the methane flux and chemical compound emitted by mud volcano, this study contributes to a management practice to restore and conserve the global ecosystem.