Chlorophyll a concentration of Phytoplankton in Estuary Mangrove Kurau, Bangka Tengah, Indonesia

Abstract

Chlorophyll a is bound within microalgae and other phytoplankton found in surface seawater. Chlorophyll is an important biochemical component in the molecular apparatus of microalgae that is responsible for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process whereby phytoplankton use sunlight energy and dissolved nutrients to convert inorganic carbon to organic compounds and releasing oxygen. The objective of this research was to analyze chlorophyll a concentration of phytoplankton in estuary mangrove area in Kurau, Bangka Tengah, Indonesia. The research was carried out in estuary area that is mangrove Kurau, Bangka Tengah, Indonesia. Chlorophyll a concentration was determine using spectrophotometer methode. The chlorophyll a concentration and sea water parameters were recorded for all stations. The area was devided into four research sites. Based on the data, chlorophyll a concentrations were between 0.00587 mg/L – 0.00117 mg/L. It was considered low rate chlorophyll a concentration since lack of light penetration in the research area.