PHYSIOCHEMICAL WATER QUALITY  AND PLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN THE  WESTERN COAST OF BENGKULU  PROVINCE

Ana Ariasari; Firdha Iresta Wardani; Maya Anggraini Fajar Utami; Yar Johan; Zamdial Zamdial; Dede Hartono

Ana Ariasari Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu
Firdha Iresta Wardani Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu
Maya Anggraini Fajar Utami Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu
Yar Johan Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Beng
Zamdial Zamdial Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu
Dede Hartono Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu

Keywords: Bengkulu, Chemical Water Parameters, Coastal, Physical Water Parameters, Plankton

Abstract

The western coast of Bengkulu Province has been directly influenced by the Indian Ocean and anthropogenic activities, so the characteristic of water quality parameters is essential to be monitored. This study is aimed to observe the physiochemical water parameters and plankton abundance of coastal areas. We observed two sites of tourist destinations in May 2022, which are carried out at Zakat Beach and Berkas Beach. Water surface temperature, current velocity, and tidal range have been simultaneously measured as physical water parameters. Dissolved oxygen, water salinity, and water pH were also measured as chemical water properties. Plankton density, diversity, and dominance were studied as water condition indicators. Two research sites have relatively good quality conditions in physiochemical water properties with low-high plankton dominance and low-moderate plankton diversity. This is followed by the Cyclotella kuatzingiana and Schroederia segitera with 50% and 41.5% in abundance, which are dominant in Zakat Beach. A total of 47.8% Rhizosolenia robusta is dominant plankton both in occurrence and abundance in Berkas Beach waters. PCA analysis showed that plankton abundance has the highest correlation with dissolved oxygen, salinity, and water temperature, while plankton diversity has the highest correlation with pH value.