Prof. Barlah Rumhayati, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D was inaugurated as Professor in the Field of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Thursday (01/30/2025), at the Samantha Krida Building, Universitas Brawijaya (UB). She is the 32nd active Professor in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the 231st active Professor in UB, as well as the 407th Professor of all Professors produced by UB.
She created the Passive Sampling-PIM Method for accurate, effective, and efficient orthophosphate monitoring.
Various efforts have been made to maintain water quality and quantity. On the other hand, human activities in the fields of agriculture, industry, mining, and domestic are increasing and producing many chemical pollutants. The massive amount of pollutants entering the water system causes the water to lose its carrying capacity so that its quality decreases. One of the pollutants that pollutes water is phosphate compounds.
Orthophosphate is a general term which refers to the form of dissolved inorganic phosphate. Orthophosphate concentrations of 0.01-0.05 mg/L cause uncontrolled phytoplankton growth, which is called eutrophication. In addition to environmental impacts, eutrophication also has an economic impact since it reduces water utilization, such as for raw water for drinking water, power plants, tourism, and fisheries cultivation.
Therefore, the orthophosphate monitoring method needs to be carried out from the beginning and continuously so that its fluctuations in the waters can be monitored accurately, effectively, and efficiently before eutrophication occurs.
The Passive Sampling–PIM method is a development of a passive sampling method for monitoring orthophosphate in waters. The advantages and novelty of the Passive sampling-PIM method lie in the presence of PIM (Polymeric Inclusion Membrane) in the passive sampler device which is able to accumulate orthophosphate selectively and specifically and continuously. Therefore, fluctuations in orthophosphate levels in waters can be monitored accurately and effectively.
In addition, the Passive sampling-PIM method uses a solution-shaped accumulator so that it is more efficient in orthophosphate analysis. This is different from other passive sampling methods which have solid-shaped accumulators so that additional procedures are required to desorb orthophosphate before analysis. [Irene/UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
