Marine Science Expert from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), Prof. Dr. Dra. Noverita Dian Takarina, M.Sc., was appointed as Professor in the field of Marine Biota Ecophysiology, FMIPA UI by UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., at the Convention Hall, UI Depok Campus, Wednesday (9/87/2023). This event was also broadcast live through the YouTube channel of the University of Indonesia and UI TV.
Through a scientific oration entitled “Diversification and Downstreaming of Heavy Metal Research for Sustainable Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management,” Prof. Noverita conveyed that Indonesia’s tropical coastal waters and ecosystems are currently threatened by pressures related to anthropogenic activities (human activities), such as agriculture, mining, fisheries, and settlements. As a unified ecosystem, the coast and sea are influenced by various environmental variables and their surrounding ecosystems. One of these variables is the input of waste from land (land-based) and from the sea (sea-based) containing heavy metals.
Based on their benefits to living organisms, heavy metals are classified into essential and non-essential metals. Heavy metals are difficult to degrade, allowing them to be distributed in dissolved, suspended, and sedimentary forms at the bottom of waters. Heavy metal content in sediment tends to be higher than in water and aquatic biota. If these compounds accumulate in the bodies of these organisms, they can cause organ and tissue dysfunction.
Given this complex situation, Prof. Noverita stated that national-level heavy metal research must undergo diversification and downstreaming. Heavy metal research must be able to be downstreamed into products as a mitigation measure. In her presentation, the downstreaming process presented included an adsorbent innovation in the form of Zeolite Embedded Sheet (ZES) and an estimation of its optimal performance through Random Forest modeling.
To address this, heavy metal data analysis requires a breakthrough. As a follow-up, data analysis in future heavy metal research will utilize artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence has been used to determine the influence of each variable affecting the efficiency of ZES in absorbing heavy metals in water. By using one of the artificial intelligence modules, Random Forest, it is possible to determine precisely at what heavy metal concentrations ZES performs optimally. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the pH and water temperature at which ZES can perform optimally.
Given the diverse environmental challenges, in line with SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water), applied research is needed to address the challenges of heavy metals and other waste in national waters. In line with the proposed SDGs, Prof. Noverita’s research has addressed several of these goals.
“As a habitat for aquatic biota, I once again emphasize that heavy metal contamination can impact both the biota and the consumers who consume them. Risk assessments allow for the determination of minimum intake levels to mitigate the threat of heavy metals. Research development through diversification and downstreaming is expected to help determine mitigation measures,” said Prof. Noverita.
At the inauguration ceremony, the General Chairperson of ID Forum Prof. Bambang P. S. Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D.; President Director of PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Nandi Julianto; Vice President Director of PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Bob Azam; Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Edhie Purnawan, S.E., M.A., Ph.D.; and Professor of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) Prof. Joko Santoso were present.
Prof. Noverita graduated from the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in 1989. She then earned her master’s degree in 1996 from the Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In 2014, she completed her doctoral studies at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB).
This year, Prof. Noverita has published various scientific works, including the titles Machine learning using random forest to model heavy metals removal efficiency using a zeolite-embedded sheet in water; Land use variation impacts on trace elements in the tissues and health risks of a commercial fish; Modeling the tropical fish community related to land uses and environmental determinants; and Potential risks of heavy metals in green mussels (Perna viridis) harvested from Cilincing and Kamal Muara, Jakarta Bay, Indonesia to human health.
