Researching Hyperaccumulator Plants Earns Widyasari a Doctorate Degree in Environmental Science University General

• Posted by: Admin
• Selasa, 28 November 2023
• Has been read 23 time(s)

Located in the Hall Room of the Udayana University Postgraduate Building, Denpasar, Ni Luh Widyasari, SSi, MSi, successfully earned a doctoral degree in the Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program (PDIL) Postgraduate Program at Udayana University (Unud) on Friday, November 24, 2023. Dr. Ni Luh Widyasari, SSi, MSi, who is a lecturer from the Environmental Engineering Study Program, Mahasaraswati University, successfully defended her dissertation entitled "Potential Use of Hyperaccumulator Plants to Overcome Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Land" in front of a team of examiners consisting of eight referees and three academic invitees. The doctoral promotion examination was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Rai, M.S., as the promoter of the promovenda, with members of the referees namely, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gusti Bagus Siladarma, MT, PhD., Prof. Dr. Ir. Made Sudiana Mahendra, MAppSc, PhD., Dr. Ir. I Wayan Diara, M.S., Prof. Dr. I Wayan Budiarsa Suyasa, MS., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Sandi Adnyana, MS., Dr. Drs. I Made Sara Wijana, M.Si., and Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Suarna, MS., as well as academic invitees namely, Dr. Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro, S.Si., M.Si., Ni Made Utami Dwipayanti, ST., M.BEnv., PhD., and Dr. Ni Made Suartini, S.Si., M.Si.

In her presentation, Widya said that the Badung River is one of the rivers crossing Denpasar City that is polluted with heavy metals with high toxicity levels, such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr), which, if used as a means of irrigating agricultural land, will endanger agricultural products. Widya added that the purpose of this study was to determine the content of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr in rice and corn crops whose irrigation comes from downstream of the Badung River and how to overcome it using heavy metal absorbers, namely hanjuang (Cordyline fruicosa), puring (Codiaeum variegatum), tongue-in-law (Sansevieria trifasciata), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). This study used an experimental method that was analyzed descriptively and quantitatively to determine the level of absorption of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr in hanjuang, puring, tongue-in-law, and sunflower plants. Hanjuang and sunflower plants are able to absorb the heavy metals Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr and accumulate them in plant organs through the phytoextraction mechanism. Hanjuang and sunflower plants have the potential to be hyperaccumulator plants in the absorption of heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr, he added.

Prof. I Nyoman Rai, M.S., as the promoter, in his speech, congratulated Widyasari, who has spent a lot of time, energy, and money and has been able to achieve a doctoral degree. In addition, Mahasaraswati University, especially the Environmental Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, has added to its teaching staff with doctoral degrees. He also added that the research that has been done is very meaningful and useful for the community, nation, and state. (DK)