Water quality in the ecosystem of sea cucumber Acaudina sp. in the Delta Wulan Waters, Central of Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Sea cucumber Acaudina sp. is one of the benthic animals which has a very important role for the benthic ecosystem in a waters. One of its roles is to maintain sediment stability and is also known as a bioturbation animal. The research aims are to study the water quality in the ecosystem of sea cucumber in the Delta Wulan Waters, Demak. The research was conducted for 4 months (May, June, July and August 2020). Based on the research result, the type of substrate in the Delta Wulan Waters is silt has a range 87.4–96.70%. The salinity has a range value is 29.25 to 33.50 ppt. The value of the water temperature is 28.6–29.9 °C. The DO value has a range is 5.04–8.13 ppm. The pH value range is 6.05–7.–56. Furthermore, the average concentration of Pb in sediment has range 4.775.10 mg/kg. The average concentration of Cu in sediment has range 15.93–16.06 mg/kg. The average concentration of Cd in sediment has range 0.02–0.07 mg/kg. In the sediment, the average concentration of ortho-phosphate content has range 0.014–0.027 mg/g, nitrate has range 0.035–0.073 mg/g and chlorophyll-a has range 268-805 mg/m2. In conclusion, water quality in Delta Wulan Waters can still support population growth of Acaudina sp..