The quality of mercury absorption with activated carbon and zeolite in gold treatment wastewater

Artisanal Gold Mining with amalgamation method produces wastewater containing mercury metal causing water quality changes in river water. This change in water quality people around the river. This research aims to lower mercury levels from gold processing by using zeolite and activated carbon to minimize river water pollution and decrease mercury levels by testing zeolite and activated carbon. The research method of absorption of mercury with activated carbon anis carried out with contact times of 3, 6, and 9 hours; the activated carbon weight used 2, 3, and 4 grams. Zeolite testing performs 30, 35, and 40 grams, with a contact time of 7, 8, 9 hours. The best zeolite use study used 40 grams with 7 hours obtained zeolite absorption of 95.29%. The quality of mercury adsorption by activated carbon at the use of 3 grams with a contact time of 9 hours is 98.2%. The absorption quality of mercury metals in terms of zeolite time is more effective, whereas, in terms of mass, less activated carbon using in the same number of water samples. The results of this study expect to be used by gold miners who use amalgamation methods.