PERIPHYTON RESPONSE ANALYSIS TO THE POLLUTION IN SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEM PANJANG ISLAND, SERANG-BANTEN

• Main Author: SUGIANTI (NIM : 25314710), YAYUK
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/24767
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The increase of pollutant burden in coastal areas which largely caused by human activities on land impact the seagrass ecosystems. The high sedimentation in the waters cause an increase in the concentration of sludge, organic matter, nutrients, and increase turbidity. Ultimately, it reduces the depth that can be reached by sunlight. The condition adversely affects seagrass ecosystems. Changes in water condition can be illustrated by the presence of water biota. One dominant kind of organism in seagrass ecosystems is periphyton. The existence of periphyton existence in the waters is largely determined by the physical and chemical conditions of the waters because it has specific limit of tolerance, which causes different community structure based on the condition of physical and chemical parameters. To analyze periphyton response to the changes of environmental quality in seagrass ecosystems, Shannon Winner diversity index and saprobic index (SI) are measured. Poor sanitary of Panjang Island conditions and combines with activities such as ports and industries around the waters have produced liquid and solid wastes which have serious impacts on coastal areas and the surrounding living beings. It is observed from some physico-chemical parameters that exceeded the quality standard for the life of seagrass ecosystems and marine life. Then, based on the classification and saprobic coefficient using periphyton biological parameters, the condition of seagrass land ecosystem in Panjang Island is classified into β Mesosaprobic to β/α Mesosaprobic phase, which indicates light to medium pollution with pollutants including organic and inorganic materials. Several types of dominant periphyton were discovered during the morning and evening observations, including Meridion sp, Navicula sp, Nitzschia sp and Synedra sp. This Periphyton species belong to Bacillariophyceae class (Family Chrysophyta ) that is commonly used to assess the condition of eutrophication and organic pollution on waters.