Project title
Heavy Mineral Analysis as a Tool to Assess the Impact of Hydroelectric Projects on Sediment Transport Pathways: a Case Study of the Citarum Basin, West Java, Indonesia
Project abstract
The UK produced only 1.8% of electricity from hydropower in 2022, however a predicted additional 1550 Mw of hydroelectric energy potential may be available. New run-of-river projects face resistance due to concerns about the adverse effects of dam construction on river health and downstream ecosystems. To address this issue the Citarum River in West Java, Indonesia, is used as a proxy chosen for the presence of three well established hydroelectric plants with smaller, infrastructure along its length.
Strategic downstream sampling within the Citarum catchment, combined with heavy mineral analysis counting, with particular interest in “fertile” heavy minerals, and SEM EDS, allows precise source matching of sediments to well constrained regional bedrock geology.
This research addresses concerns related to hydroelectric power, and seeks to provide a case study framework informing sustainable practices for future plant engineering and developments.