Use of phytoplankton abundance and species diversity for monitoring coastal water quality
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Date
2004
Authors
Yasser Abdul Kader, Al-Gahwari
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Abstract
A comparative study on coastal water quality and phytoplankton abundance and
diversity was conducted from December 2000 to November 2001 at four locations in
Penang namely Teluk Aling, Batu Ferringhi, Kuala Juru and Bayan Lepas. The main
objective of the study was to determine possible correlations between the water quality
parameters and the phytoplankton abundance & diversity, and eventually to see if any of
the parameters associated with the phytoplankton can be used as an indicator of the
changes in water quality.
The study showed that changes in TSS, TSO, BOD and nutrient levels were significant
in contributing to the changes in seawater quality resulting from human activities. A
total of 133 phytoplankton species from 63 genera were identified from all the
locations. The diatoms were the most diverse group with 103 species followed by the
dinoflagellates (27) and the blue green algae (3). Seven species of diatoms,
Coscinodiscus asteromphalus, Odontella sinesis, Pleurosigma elongatum, Pleurosigma
normanii, Rhizosolenia stolterforthii, Thalassionema frauenfeldii and Thalassionema
nitzschioides dominates the population found during this study. Kuala Juru recorded the
highest phytoplankton abundance and biomass followed by Bayan Lepas, while Batu
Ferringh recorded the highest values of phytoplankton species diversity followed by
Teluk Aling. Both the water quality parameters and phytoplankton abundance and
diversity were influenced by the dry and rainy seasons as well as the tidal levels.
The results of the study indicated that phytoplankton biomass, abundance and species
diversity are not very good predictors for the changes in water quality for the study area. The conditions of water quality were not reflected in the variation in phytoplankton
species diversity. Although the variation in phytoplankton population and biomass can
be related to the changes in water quality, the phytoplankton response to these
environmental conditions is by no means fully understood. At all the locations, the
selected water quality parameters do not seem to be adequate in describing the variation
in phytoplankton characteristics. Other factors such as currents and wave movement
may also contribute towards the variation in water quality and phytoplankton
characteristics and these should also be considered to provide a refinement of the
general picture of environmental quality for the area.
Description
Master
Keywords
Science and Technology , Phytoplankton Abundance , Water Quality