Proportion of HABs in Losari coastal waters of Makassar

Abstract

Harmful alga blooms (HABs) are phytoplankton considered dangerous in any waters, especially when found in a large number of cells. Research on the proportion of the emergence of harmful phytoplankton (HABs) had been conducted in June until December 2018 in the coastal waters of Losari Beach, Makassar City. The method developed by APHA was used to analyze the appearance of HABs, then a proportion test. Results showed that there were seven genera detected by HABs, namely Protoperidinium, Gymnodinium, Ceratium, Prorocentrum, Gyrodinium, Gonyaulax, and Dinophysis. All genera were groups of Dinophyceae. Based on the proportion test, HABs gained 41%. This means the percentage of HABs was still low in abundance when compared to a non-HABs type. Thus, the water condition of Losari has not been worrying. However, early preventive measures have to be taken into account to prevent the growth of HABs.