Universitas Diponegoro has again held a scientific paper presentation of three Undip professor candidates organized by the Universitas Diponegoro Council of Professors on Friday (23/6). The three professorship candidates were Dr. Ir. Bambang Yulianto, DEA. (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences), Dr. Parsaoran Siahaan, M.S. (Faculty of Science and Mathematics), and Dr. Hartuti Purnaweni, MPA (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences).

In his paper entitled “Mitigation of Heavy Metal Pollution with Wetlands (Mangroves) in Coastal and Marine Area Conservation Efforts”, Dr. Bambang explained the results of his study of the quality conditions of coastal and marine waters on the north coast of Central Java indicating that they were contaminated by various types of waste, such as heavy metals, microplastics, pesticides, organic matter, and microorganisms. The polluted media ranged from water (river, beach and sea), sediment, to marine biota. Pollutants that entered the coastal and marine environment, especially heavy metals, could have a negative impact on marine biota, including shrimp, shellfish, fish, squid, and others. Marine biota that became food commodities (seafood products) contaminated by pollutants would trigger health risks for people who consume them. For this reason, it was necessary to protect the food safety of these seafood products.

“The concept of artificial wetlands has been implemented in an effort to overcome the pollution of ponds in the Delta Sidoarjo by Lapindo Brantas mud. The concept of artificial wetlands is implemented through planting mangrove vegetation and Gracilaria sp seaweed to absorb heavy metal pollutants, regulating water circulation to settle sediments, adding oxygen using waterwheels to reduce BOD,” he explained.

While Dr. Parsaoran’s scientific work discussed “Molecular Modeling of Small, Medium, and Large-Sized Interacting Systems to Understand Natural Phenomena”. He said that the development of nanomaterial technology with smart properties required quantitative understanding ( not only with qualitative) to the molecular level, thus requiring a method that could help design molecules. Smart material properties are a function of electron distribution in molecules that can be adjusted (tuning), and it can only be done with quantum molecular modeling methods. Molecular modeling is a branch of science as well as a method that can also be interpreted with computational chemistry and theoretical chemistry.

“The stages of development in molecular modeling depend on the size of the system and the difficulty of the theory used to generate the system model. The accuracy of the model depends on the complexity of the system and the theory, while the computational method determines the speed of the calculation. The modeling of complex stability is followed by molecular dynamics studies to show the stability of the complex as a function of time. The binding energies of the complexes vary widely, indicating the formation of many complex conformations. Binding energy variation is the basis used to explain ligand release from the receptor,” he said.

Dr. Hartuti with her scientific paper “Environmental Governance as a Pillar of Sustainable Development” said that various types of environmental changes were likely to be caused by humans which caused destabilization of the earth system or environmental damage. Environmental degradation is accelerating, so the issue of environmental damage has become one of the most interesting international issues in recent decades. The increase in population and human needs, as well as changes in human lifestyles that are not in accordance with the carrying capacity and capacity of the environment, are the main determinants of various phenomena of climate change, pollution (soil, water and air pollution), food shortages, damage to ecosystems and biodiversity habitats. Cases that cause environmental damage include poor waste management and rampant mining.

“The implementation of good Environmental Governance is highly recommended for Public Management. The implementation of good Environmental Governance is believed to encourage the realization of governance towards sustainable development. The state in its public realization can strengthen its development sustainability position, manage resources and risks more efficiently and effectively, and prosper the people it is obliged to serve effectively, fairly, responsively and robustly,” Hartuti said. (LW-PR)

Source: undip.ac.id