Harmful algal bloom in three selected coastal areas of Indonesia
T Sidabutar (1), E S Srimariana (2) H Cappenberg (1), and S Wouthuyzen (1)

(1)Research Centre for Oceanography, BRIN Jl. Pasir Putih I, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
(2)Faculty of Fisheries, IPB University Campus Darmaga, Bogor 16680, Indonesia

Abstract

The frequency and distribution of algal bloom have been increasing in some coastal waters in Indonesia, until nowadays. The occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs), is now a major problem for several locations which causes thread and economic losses to the fishing industry, damage to aquatic ecosystems, and mass mortality of fish and other living organisms in the waters. The negative impact also on marine tourism, and damages the aquatic environment and also consumer health. There are three locations known as the most frequently algal bloom occurrences namely, Jakarta Bay, Lampung Bay, and Ambon Bay. The study of HABs has been conducted in the most infected locations in this country. All samples were collected using 20 um net plankton and preserved with Lugol^s solution before being identified. Some of the causative species were identified as toxic species mainly belonging to dinoflagellates, such as Pyrodinium sp, Aleandrium sp, Gymnodinium sp, and Cochlodinium sp. The most frequent species of algal bloom in those coastal waters are primarily, Skeletonema, Chaetoceros, Trichodesmium, and Noctiluca. The high nutrients mainly, nitrate and phosphate concentration in the waters is the primary triggering factor resulting from anthropogenic activities on the land that make the coastal waters eutrophic. This paper discussed the recent distribution, causes, and impact of harmful algal blooms events in those three coastal waters.

Keywords: harmful algal bloom, distribution, impact, causative species, triggering factor

Topic: Aquatic Ecology and Conservation (International)