The density of marine debris in seaweed farming sites in Kupang Bay, East Nusa Tenggara Province - Indonesia

Abstract

Organic and inorganic debris in the seaweed farming areas in Kupang Bay and its surroundings is a serious problem, but until now there has been no accurate scientific data on this waste, both macro and micro. This study aimed to calculate and analyze macro debris wasted in seaweed farming areas. Sampling for macro debris consists of (1) sampling of debris deposited in the farming area, using Belt Transect, (2) sampling of debris at Sea Level and Water Column. The data obtained were analyzed for absolute density (weight of waste), absolute density (number of pieces of waste), relative density (weight of waste), and relative density (number of pieces of waste). The results of this research found that the dominant debris found at the seaweed farming site in Kupang Bay and its surroundings was plastics, with a details density of 24.33 amount/1000 m2 (37.83%) in Bolok; 13.67 amount/1000 m2 (35.57%) in Tablolong; 38.00 amount/1000 m2 (74.06%) in Tesabela; 37.67 amount/1000 m2 (58.55%) in Pasir Panjang, and 87.00 amount/1000 m2 (57.90%) in Sulamu, followed by wood waste and nylon rope waste. The most dominant source of waste was the activities of seaweed farming itself.