Work

Quantitative evaluation of environmental and human health impacts in an Indonesian conservation region: A life cycle assessment (LCA) approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Anthropogenic factors and seawater intrusion cause environmental and health impacts. • Copper (Cu) mainly drives Ecotoxicity, while Nitrate (NO 3 ) dominates Eutrophication. • Lead (Pb) is the main factor behind human health impacts. Karimunjawa National Park (KNP) is an emerging tourism destination in Indonesia, where increasing tourism has led to excessive groundwater use and land subsidence. These issues pose environmental and health risks from emissions and seawater intrusion. This study examines the potential effects of these factors on the environment and human health within KNP. The research utilizes OpenLCA software 2.0.1 and the Ecoinvent 3.8 database, applying the CML-IA Baseline method for environmental impact assessment and the EPS 2015d method for human health impacts. The results show that the largest environmental impact is eutrophication, with the highest values recorded at spot 11 (6.94E-06 kg PO 4 – eq). At spot 5, where copper (Cu) contamination reached the highest levels, the Authors observed the most significant ecotoxicity impacts, affecting freshwater (3.67E-06 kg 1,4-DB eq) ecosystems. Human health impacts, including intellectual disability (2.62E-10 Person-Years), and renal dysfunction (1.028E-13 case), were most significant at spot 5, linked to lead (Pb) contamination. The study suggests that reducing human activity in areas contributing to eutrophication and ecotoxicity, such as controlling nitrate and copper pollution, could mitigate environmental damage. Moreover, addressing human toxicity and health risks from lead requires improving waste management, ecosystem rehabilitation, pesticide reduction, and strengthening environmental monitoring. Public awareness of these risks is essential for effective mitigation.

Source: Watershed Ecology and the Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.wsee.2025.10.006