INFLUENCING PARAMETER OF SELF PURIFICATION PROCESS IN THE URBAN AREA OF CIKAPUNDUNG RIVER, INDONESIA

Abstract

Self-purification process is an important process in the effort of recovering the river condition itself This process usually takes place naturally. However, several inhibitions might disturb the process. It was indicated by the slow deoxygenation rate and unhealthy river condition. This research aims to identify the influence parameters responsible for the slow of self-purification in the Cikapundung River, which is located in the urban area of Bandung City, Indonesia. The river water samples were taken and analyzed in the laboratory to obtain the water quality. The deoxygenation rate was also calculated based on the Slope Method after data was acquired from 10 days daily observation. Research showed that the value of urban river deoxygenation rate is relatively low. The low value of the rate of deoxygenation led to the difficulty in rivers to purify themselves. Pollutants inhibiting the process include phenol, detergent, and heavy metals, which are contaminating the river over the maximum standard. Biologically, the decomposer consists in the river is few. It leads to a slow organic degradation rate. The condition is representing the low capacity of self-purification of the Cikapundung River which is caused mainly by chemical and biological parameters.