Primary Productivity in Estuary Mangrove Kurau, Bangka Tengah

Abstract

Ocean primary production is an important factor for determining the ocean's role in global carbon cycle. Primary production is the process whereby inorganic carbon is fixed in the sunlit (euphotic) zone of the upper ocean and forms the base of the marine food pyramid. It occurs when marine phytoplankton use sunlight energy and dissolved nutrients to convert inorganic carbon to organic material, thereby releasing oxygen. The objective of this study was to analyze primary productivity in estuary mangrove area in Kurau, Bangka Tengah, Indonesia. The study area was carried out in mangrove area, specifically in Kurau mangrove, Bangka Tengah, Indonesia. The physicochemical sea water parameters were recorded for all stations. The area was divided into four research stations. Based on the data, value of GPP was between 98.95 mg/L - 114.58 mg/L, NPP between 10.42 - 72.92 mg/L, R between 41.67 - 104.17 mg/L. In general, the mean value of temperature, pH, salinity, sea water current, brightness, phosphate were 29.5 ± 0.5 °C; 6.75 ± 0.83; 15 ± 12.74 ppm; 0.075 ± 0.032 m/second; 0.21 ± 0.15 m; 0.74 ± 0.52 mg/L. GPP rates still in typical state range for estuary of equator. Based on nitrate data, the sampling area was eutrophic, so that respiration rates was higher than NPP rates. Moreover, it is because higher recycling of labeled organic matter in brackish part of the estuary as well.