COVID‑19 lockdowns offered a rare, real‑world experiment: what happens to estuaries when human activity slows down—and what happens when it resumes? This study tracks water quality in three Cirebon estuaries (Kesenden, Sukalila, Kalijaga) over 2019–2023, comparing pre‑, during‑, and post‑restriction periods. Using the NSF‑Water Quality Index, the team integrated physical (temperature, turbidity, total solids), chemical (pH, BOD, DO, nitrate, phosphate), and microbiological (total coliform) parameters, benchmarking them against Indonesia’s Class II standards.
During periods of reduced activity, several indicators improved—particularly dissolved oxygen and bacterial loads—suggesting that curtailed traffic and industrial output briefly eased pressure on the system. However, as restrictions eased and activity rebounded, water quality deteriorated, in some cases falling below pre‑pandemic baselines. The temporal patterns underscore the sensitivity of urban estuaries to anthropogenic stress and the importance of sustained management rather than episodic clean‑ups.
The authors recommend strengthening upstream wastewater treatment, enforcing discharge standards for small industries, and expanding continuous monitoring at river mouths. Community‑based observation and low‑cost sensors can complement agency networks, creating faster feedback loops for local decision‑makers. By turning a disruptive event into actionable lessons, the study supports SDG 6 (clean water), contributes to SDG 14 (healthier coastal receiving waters), and aligns with SDG 11 (resilient urban management).
Credits
Universitas Padjadjaran authors: Qurnia Wulan Sari; Yuniarti Ms; M. Rudyansyah Ismail; Neng Tanty Sofyana; Nur Sakinah Junirahma; Santi Rukminita Anggraeni
Collaborating authors and institutions: Putri Adia Utari (BRIN; South China Sea Institute of Oceanology); Riza Yuliratno Setiawan (UGM); Dini Hartiningsih (Unpad, Marine Science Study Program); Hasna May Nurlaila (Unpad, Master of Marine Conservation); Muhamad Nur (Universitas Sriwijaya); Sri Agung Fitri Kusuma (Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University)
Affiliations: Marine Department, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia; Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia; Master of Marine Conservation, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia; Vocational Marine Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia; BRIN – Research Center for Oceanography, Jakarta, Indonesia; Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Jurusan Ilmu Kelautan, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia; Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Sumedang, Indonesia
Hashtags: #UnpadResearch #SDG6 #WaterQuality #Estuaries #Cirebon #COVID19
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.70012