Cadmium (Cd) Heavy Metal Content in Central Java Shallot Production Center

Abstract

Central Java is one of the centers of shallot production in Indonesia. The number of anthropogenic activities in the area causes the accumulation of heavy metal contamination in the soil. This study aimed to determine the heavy metal content of Cadmium (Cd) in three regencies of shallot production centers in Central Java. The study was conducted in three regencies of shallot production centers in Central Java: Pati, Demak, and Brebes Regency. Soil samples were taken by the purposive sampling method. The highest Cd content was found in Brebes Regency at 3.53 mg kg^-1, and the lowest was in Pati Regency with a value of 1.10 mg kg^-1. The value of the geoaccumulation index shows the presence of Cd contamination from anthropogenic activities. In Pati and Demak Recency contaminated with Cd with moderate to heavy status, Brebes Regency showed Cd contamination as serious. The high content of Cd in the Brebes Regency with severe contamination status is thought to be due to the intensity of cultivation and the increased use of agrochemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides.