Trapped Sediment in Seagrass Ecosystem: Bintan Island
Dewi Surinati (a), Ulung J Wisha (b), Ahmad Bayhaqi (a*), Hanif B Prayitno (a), Susi Rahmawati (a)

a) Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
*ahmadbayhaqims[at]gmail.com
b) Research Institute for Coastal Resources and Vulnerability, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia

Abstract

This study attempts to figure out the physical characteristic of water in the surrounding Bintan Island and considers the role of seagrass ecosystem in trapping the sediment transport using model simulation. Field observation was conducted during first transitional monsoon to collect the ocean current data and total suspended solid (TSS) at the observation stations (Pengudang, Teluk Bakau, and Madong). Flow model is employed to simulate the hydrodynamic and sediment transport. Based on the simulation result, the existence of seagrass meadows in Pengudang and Madong areas could significantly trap the sediment and induce sedimentation. Sediment transport in all stations would gradually decrease with around 15 % per year over the period of 2019-2023. This prediction of sediment transport was applied without any further changes in water condition in Bintan Island, so that different result could be potentially gained according to many factors influencing the movement of sediment.

Keywords: coastal zone, seagrass, trapped sediment, Bintan

Topic: Oceanography (International)