Sains Malaysiana 46(6)(2017): 859–865

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4606-04

 

Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Organic Carbon-Based Nutrients in Setiu Wetland, Malaysia

(Variasi Bermusim dan Reruang Nutrien Berasaskan Karbon di Tanah Bencah Setiu, Malaysia)

 

SUHAIMI SURATMAN^1,2*, NUR HAYATI CHE ZAN¹, AZYYATI ABDUL AZIZ¹ & NORHAYATI MOHD TAHIR^1,3

 

¹Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

 

²Institute for Kenyir Research, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

 

³School of Marine Science and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

 

Received: 30 June 2016/Accepted: 24 November 2016

 

 

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess spatial and seasonal variations of dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC, respectively) in the Setiu Wetland, which is located in the southern region of the South China Sea coastal area. Surface water samples were collected monthly from October 2009-September 2010. In addition, the concentration of chlorophyll-a was determined. The DOC and POC mean concentration varied between 80-340 μM and 60-115 μM, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of these parameters were mainly influenced by human activities and season. Higher concentrations of DOC (150-340 μM) and POC (75-115 μM) were found at stations near the populated area, aquaculture and palm oil plantation. In addition, higher concentrations of DOC (200-275 μM) and POC (105-150 μM) were also recorded during the monsoon season due to runoff from terrestrial sources and resuspension from bottom sediments. No significant correlation between the low molecular weight (LMW) fractions of DOC and chlorophyll-a (R2=0.0096, p>0.05) further supports the hypothesis that phytoplankton not playing key role in regulating the organic carbon distribution. Higher percentage of LMW DOC in monsoon season suggesting possible input of this fraction from land runoff to the wetland area.

 

Keywords: Dissolved organic carbon; particulate organic carbon; Setiu Wetland (Malaysia); spatial and seasonal variations, surface water

 

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menilai variasi bermusim dan reruang karbon organik terlarut dan partikulat (masing-masing DOC dan POC) di Tanah Bencah Setiu, yang terletak di kawasan perairan selatan Laut China Selatan. Sampel air permukaan dikumpulkan secara bulanan dari Oktober 2009-September 2010. Sebagai tambahan, kepekatan klorofil-a juga ditentukan. Purata kepekatan DOC dan POC masing-masing berubah antara 80-340 μM dan 60-115 μM. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan kepekatan parameter ini dipengaruhi terutamanya oleh aktiviti manusia dan musim. Kepekatan DOC (150-340 μM) dan POC (75-115 μM) yang tinggi direkodkan di stesen yang berhampiran dengan kawasan yang ramai penduduk, akuakultur dan perladangan kelapa sawit. Tambahan lagi, kepekatan DOC (200-275 μM) dan POC (105-150 μM) adalah tinggi semasa musim monsun disebabkan oleh larutlesap daripada sumber daratan dan ampaian daripada sedimen dasar. Tidak terdapat korelasi signifikan antara fraksi DOC yang mempunyai berat molekul rendah (LMW) dan klorofil-a (R2=0.0096, p>0.05) yang seterusnya menyokong hipotesis bahawa fitoplankton tidak memainkan peranan penting dalam mengawal taburan karbon organik. Peratusan LMW DOC yang tinggi semasa musim monsun mencadangkan kemungkinan input fraksi ini dari larutlesap daratan ke kawasan tanah bencah.

 

Kata kunci: Air permukaan; karbon organik partikulat; karbon organik terlarut; Tanah Bencah Setiu (Malaysia); variasi bermusim dan reruang

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*Corresponding author; email: miman@umt.edu.my