Seasonal environmental quality variations in a tropical seagrass ecosystem in the Straits of Malacca
The study was conducted at the Merambong seagrass meadow in Johor, Malaysia (between 01º20.046 N 103 º 35.985 E and 01 º 19.781 N 103 º 05.675 E) to investigate the effect of tropical monsoon on the environmental quality variation in the seagrass ecosystem. Environmental data were collected during d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
The Malayan Nature Journal
2014
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| Online Access: | http://www.mnj.my/index.php/mnj/article/view/111 http://www.mnj.my/index.php/mnj/article/view/111 http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/8235/1/dr_hazel_3.pdf |
| Summary: | The study was conducted at the Merambong seagrass meadow in
Johor, Malaysia (between 01º20.046 N 103 º 35.985 E and 01 º 19.781 N
103 º 05.675 E) to investigate the effect of tropical monsoon on the
environmental quality variation in the seagrass ecosystem. Environmental
data were collected during different monsoon seasons (Northeast, pre-
Southwest, Southwest and post-Southwest monsoon) between 2005 to 2006
at four different stations. Three of the stations were located in the sea-grass
bed (Stations 1 -3), whilst Station 4 was located about 1 m away from the
sea-grass meadow. Northeast monsoon was characterized by the highest
rainfall whereas, SW monsoon with the lowest rainfall during the period.
Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity values were found
lowest during the NE monsoon, while highest during the SW monsoon. In
contrast, turbidity was found highest during NE monsoon. On the other
hand, significant (p<0.05) negative correlations were found between rainfall
and several environmental parameters including temperature, salinity,
dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity. Whereas, a significant (p<0.05)
positive correlation between rainfall and turbidity, total carbon and total
organic carbon concentrations was detected. No significant differences in
the TN and TP were found at different monsoon seasons. Similarly, no
significant correlation between rainfall and TN and TP was found. The
result of this study suggests that significant impact of different monsoon
seasons brought about specifically by rainfall on the variability of
environmental quality in the seagrass ecosystem. In addition, positive
correlation between rainfall and carbon (TC/TOC) may suggest transport of
organic matter (both particulate and dissolved organic matter, POM and
DOM) from terrestrial sources. |
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