DAMPAK APLIKASI PUPUK BERBASIS LIMBAH PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT (POME) TERHADAP KUALITAS TANAH DAN AIR TANAH DI PERKEBUNAN SAWIT
Kata Kunci:
Pupuk, Limbah POME, Pencemaran Tanah, Kontaminasi Air Tanah, Perkebunan Kelapa SawitAbstrak
Penggunaan pupuk berbasis limbah Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) dalam perkebunan sawit menawarkan manfaat dalam meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman melalui suplai hara makro seperti nitrogen (N), fosfor (P), dan kalium (K). Namun, penerapan POME yang tidak terkelola dengan baik berpotensi menurunkan kualitas lingkungan, terutama tanah dan air tanah, akibat akumulasi senyawa organik. Studi ini mengkaji literatur yang relevan mengenai dampak aplikasi POME terhadap parameter kimia tanah dan kualitas air tanah. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa konversi hutan menjadi perkebunan sawit mengurangi kadar karbon organik tanah hingga 42%, sementara infiltrasi senyawa toksik dari POME meningkatkan risiko pencemaran air tanah. Kesimpulan penelitian menyoroti perlunya integrasi teknologi pengolahan limbah dan pemantauan berkala guna memastikan keberlanjutan ekosistem serta keseimbangan antara produktivitas pertanian dan perlindungan lingkungan.
The use of fertilizers based on Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) in oil palm plantations offers benefits in enhancing plant productivity through the supply of macro nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). However, poorly managed application of POME poses a potential risk to environmental quality, especially concerning soil and groundwater, due to the accumulation of organic compounds. This study reviews relevant literature regarding the effects of POME application on soil chemical parameters and groundwater quality. The results indicate that the conversion of forests to oil palm plantations reduces soil organic carbon content by up to 42%, while the infiltration of toxic compounds from POME raises the risk of groundwater pollution. The study's conclusion emphasizes the need for integrating waste management technologies and regular monitoring to ensure ecosystem sustainability and achieve a balance between agricultural productivity and environmental protection.
