The Community Structure of Plankton at Floating Net Cages Aquaculture Area in Sendang Biru Water Indonesia

Abstract

The leftover food and feces from fish aquaculture in the floating net cages (FNC) may contribute to the nutrient enrichment at surrounding FNC water. The phytoplankton community structure is the one of important indicator for water quality evaluation. This research aims to determine the plankton community structure and water quality around FNC, Sendang Biru, Malang. Plankton samples and physico-chemical parameters were taken at 3 locations at surrounding FNC area. The results show that phytoplankton from the Bacillariophyceae class and zooplankton from the Hexanauplia class (copepods) dominate in the community structure. Phytoplankton abundance ranges from 795-11405 ind/L, diversity index (H') ranges from 1.47-2.43, evenness index (E) ranges from 0.76-0.95, and dominance index (D) ranges from 0.1-0.3. Meanwhile, zooplankton abundance ranges from 15-634 ind/L, H' value in range of 2.05-2.58, E value in the range of 0.72-0.84, D value in the range of 0.11 -0.17. Nitrate and phosphate have values that exceed the specified quality standards.