PEUBAH KUALITAS AIR YANG BERPENGARUH TERHADAP PLANKTON DI TAMBAK TANAH SULFAT MASAM KABUPATEN LUWU UTARA PROVINSI SULAWESI SELATAN

Abstract

Studi telah dilakukan pada tambak-tambak tanah sulfat masam di Kabupaten Luwu Utara Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan yang bertujuan menelaah peubah kualitas air yang berpengaruh terhadap jumlah individu dan genus plankton. Contoh plankton dan air diambil dari lokasi yang dianggap merepresentasikan kondisi kualitas air tambak tanah sulfat masam. Plankton dikoleksi menggunakan plankton net nomor 25, kemudian diawetkan dengan larutan Lugol (1%). Identifikasi plankton menggunakan mikroskop yang berpedoman pada buku identifikasi plankton dan penghitungannya menggunakan Sedwick Rafter Counting Cell. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa jumlah individu plankton berkisar 60—1.110 ind./L dan jumlah genus berkisar dari 2—17 genera. Analisis regresi berganda menunjukkan bahwa suhu air, pH, kandungan amonium, dan silikat berpengaruh terhadap jumlah individu, sedangkan suhu, potensial redoks, kandungan amonium, bahan organik total dan oksigen terlarut berpengaruh terhadap jumlah genus.

The study was conducted in acid sulfate soil-affected brackishwater ponds of North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province with the primary aim of investigating the effects of pond water quality on the individual number and genera of plankton. Plankton and water samples were taken at sites that represented water quality conditions influenced by acid sulfate soils in the aquaculture ponds. Plankton was sampled using a plankton net (number 5) and samples were preserved with 1% Lugol’s solution. Plankton was identified to genus level using standard identification keys for plankton. Plankton density was calculated using the counting cell method. The results showed that the number of plankton individuals ranged from 60 to 1,110 ind./L in 2 to 17 genera.  Multiple regression analysis showed that water temperature, pH, ammonium, and silicate affected the individual number, while water temperature, redox potential, ammonium, total organic matter and dissolved oxygen affected the number of genera.