Distribution of Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecosystems’s Inorganic Carbon in the Waters of Beras Basah Bontang, East Kalimantan

Irwan Ramadhan Ritonga,S Supriharyono,Boedi Hendrarto

doi:10.12777/ijse.5.1.1-5

Abstract

Inorganic carbon is closely related to the calcification process (CaCO3), which is the main constituent of coral reefs or microorganisms that exist in the oceans such as foraminifera and cocolitoporit. Inorganic carbon is also closely linked to the chemical processes that occur when carbon dioxide gas (CO2) dissolved in water. The research of inorganic carbon in the waters of Beras Basah was carried out in January, February and March 2012. The purpose of this study was to understand the distribution and concentration of total inorganic carbon (CT) in coral reef and seagrass ecosystems as well as the correlation of Beras Basah. The results showed that the concentration of total inorganic carbon (CT) in January average 1166.503 μmol/kgSW, February average 1115.599 μmol/kgSW, and then in March the average 987.443 μmol/kgSW. Distribution patterns of total inorganic carbon (CT) is vectoral, where in January, the concentration of total inorganic carbon (CT) was highest in the Southeast region, was in February in the South and Southeast, while in March shifted to North region of Beras Basah Island. The concentration difference is thought to be influenced by pH and the seasons, tides, biochemical processes, and biological activity. Doi: 10.12777/ijse.5.1.1-5 [How to cite this article: Ritonga, I.R., Supriharyono, and Henderarto, B. (2013). Distribution of Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecosystems's Inorganic Carbon in the Waters of Beras Basah Bontang, East Kalimantan. International Journal of Science and Engineering, 5(1),1-6. Doi: 10.12777/ijse.5.1.1-5]

Highlights

Beras Basah aquatic ecosystems that are located in Bontang coastal area is highly vulnerable to climate change caused by global warming process of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from land use change, forest fires, fossil fuels, respiration, decomposition of organic matter
With the influence of the CO2 absorption process, it will affect the quality of waters that have Beras Basah marine potentials are quite good especially coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems, one of which is the process of calcification which ties carbonate ion (CO32-) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) as the main constituent of coral stone (Marubini et al, 2003)
Cause of the high concentration of CO2 research begins with the measurement of water quality dissolved in the waters of Beras Basah is caused by several parameters in the early factors, the first one is still good and the preservation of hours before sunrise (4:00 to 6:30 pm) at 10 stations coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems in the waters of both (zone of coral reefs, seagrass and coral reefs and seagrass the Beras Basah 30.42336 ha (Government of Bontang, shift) using Waterproof Cyber Scan PCD 650 (Eutec 2008)

Summary

Introduction

Beras Basah aquatic ecosystems that are located in Bontang coastal area is highly vulnerable to climate change caused by global warming process of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from land use change, forest fires, fossil fuels (oil and coal), respiration, decomposition of organic matter. In the process of calcification, many benefits that science can be assessed as to how the pattern of distribution, the amount of inorganic carbon, the level of closeness (correlation) that occur in coral and seagrass ecosystems by station and time, as well as determine the level of closeness (correlation) of several parameters forming total inorganic carbon (CT) in the waters, as the research that has been conducted by Suratno and Prayuda (2010) and Afdal et al (2011) in the waters of Java The conclusions from these studies that distibusi inorganic carbon in waters affected by seasonality and supply of biochemical processes, and marine biological activity.

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