The Impact of tin mining in Bangka Belitung and its reclamation studies

¹ University of Bangka Belitung, Biology Department, 33172 Merawang, Indonesia
² University of Tennessee, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, TN 37996, USA
³ University of Bangka Belitung, Fisheries Department, 33172 Merawang, Indonesia
⁴ University of Bangka Belitung, Agribusiness Department, 33172 Merawang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: eddy_nurtjahya@yahoo.com

Abstract

Tin mining in Bangka Belitung has been exploited for hundred years. The province is the second largest tin producer in the world. Secondary data from studies which took place in all four regencies in Bangka Island were discussed to show the impact of mining activities and its reclamation studies. In order to add plant selection criteria for regevetate mined soil, the greenhouse and laboratory experiment was carried out with fourteen herbs and grass species in Tennessee. The mining activities increase the wealth of the community, but the other hand they change and decrease the environmental stability, and cause horizontal conflicts. Offshore mining reduced water quality, change sea bed caused the change of biodiversity. Onshore mining activity reduces biodiversity and causes floods and damages infrastructure. While the more economic species are demanded, planting local tree species is challenging. An evaluation with local tree species concluded that best adapted species based on anatomical and physiological measurements was not those that showed the best performance in the field. The greenhouse and laboratory findings indicate that some physiological characteristics i.e. plant height and cover, transpiration rate, and foliar pigments may be used to select plant adaptability to mined soil.