Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE GROWTH OF EUCHEUMA SPINOSUM IN DIFFERENT DEPTH OF BATUBAO MARINE WATERS WEST KUPANG

Rockie R. L Supit1, Apriliana Ballo, Angreini D.N. Rupidara, Jeni Kambajawa, Alfred G.O. Kase,Donny M. Bessie, Sonya T. Nge and Marthen Makaborang

Abstract

This research was aims to know the growth of red algae Eucheuma spinosum cultured with different depth,and several environmental factors which affect algal growth. An experimental method was used in the research. Long line cultivation method was obtained for binding 60 seeds at various depths of 10 cm, 1 m,and 2 m. The measurements were carried out every week for two months. Several environmental parameters measured were temperature, salinity, current velocity, pH, Nitrate and Phosphate. The result indicated that the average growth at the end of cultivation showed that the growth at 10 cm depth weighed 671 g heavier than 1 m and 2 m depths, (423 g and 248.5 g). While the average of daily growth were 13.028 g at the depth of 10 cm, 7.612 g in depth 1 m and 4.428 g in depth 2 m. The comparison of algae growth from all three different depths showed that at 2 m depth was the lowest; this was thought to be caused by predator attacks Baronang fish (Siganus sp) and also due to lack of light penetration, whereas the measured environmental parameters are still within the normal range for algal growth.