Evaluation of bleaching caused by different acidity degree (pH) levels in Sargassum sp.

• Main Authors: Arini Fadhla Wahyuningtyas, ,-, Afif Mufidah, ,-, Mochammad Amin Alamsjah, ,-, Agustono, ,-, Pratiwi Pudjiastuti, ,-
• Format: Article PeerReviewed
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: Bioflux - bimonthly 2019
• Subjects: SH1-691 Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling; SH201-399 Fisheries; SH388.7-391.5 Algae culture
• Online Access: https://repository.unair.ac.id/121534/1/C.6.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/121534/2/C.6.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/121534/3/C.6.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/121534/; http://www.bioflux.com.ro/docs/2019.1031-1039.pdf; http://www.bioflux.com.ro/aacl
• Institution: Universitas Airlangga

Indonesia is a country with high potential marine resources. Sargassum sp. is a marine seaweed that has high economic value. The unpredictable seasonal changes can cause fluctuation in the seawater pH (acidity degree). Fluctuation in seawater pH can interfere with the Sargassum sp. cell wall permeability. This can cause stress in Sargassum sp. and lead to bleaching condition. The aim of this study is observe the effect of pH difference in seawater towards the bleaching condition of Sargassum sp. This study uses different values of seawater pH, namely 5, 7 (control) and 9. The main parameters observed in this study were the thallus color gradation and the amount of chlorophyll-a of Sargassum sp. The supporting parameters observed were the structure and texture of the thallus and the characteristics of Sargassum sp. cells. The results from the low and high pH treatment groups show significantly different effects compared with the control group regarding thallus color gradation and the amount chlorophyll-a of Sargassum sp. (p <0.05). The lowest color gradient in the thallus of Sargassum sp. was in the group with pH 5 (43.06%), then group with pH 9 (43.775%) and the highest was in the group with pH 7 (57.95%). The lowest amount chlorophyll-a of Sargassum sp. was found in the group with pH 5 (0.00522 μmol/cell), then in the group with pH 9 (0.00718 μmol/cell) and the highest amount chlorophyll-a of Sargassum sp. was in the group with pH 7 (0.00945 μmol/cell). This concludes that differences in acidity degree (pH) have different effects regarding the bleaching condition in Sargassum sp.