Observation on Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and sediment composition in the seawaters of Jakarta Bay

Abstract

This study aimed to monitor water quality by observing total suspended solid (TSS) levels and the percentage of sediment in Jakarta Bay. The study was carried out in March and May 2013. Samples of surface seawater were taken with a water sampler at 15 research stations. The samples were analysed for their TSS levels using the gravimetric method, while Wentworth and Shepard method for its sediment composition. The storet method was employed to determine the status of seawater quality. The analysis showed that the TSS level in the western part was lower than in the east. In March, the TSS level in the western areas was 30.162mg/l; in the eastern area, it was 33/422mg/l. Regarding the sediment analysis, the largest percentage of sediment composition for the western and eastern regions respectively was silt (68-80%), clay (10-21%), and sand (3-16%). Furthermore, the results of the water quality measurement showed that the seawater from all stations in Jakarta Bay was in the range of -1 to -5 or fell into the Class B category. Thus, the seawater in Jakarta Bay was still good or lightly polluted.