Presentation 6 - Jabatan Taman Laut Malaysia

Ann Anton, Dwenovel D John and Yusdi Ismail
Unit for Harmful Algal Bloom studied (UHABS)
Borneo Marine Research Institute
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
aanton@ums.edu.my

INTRODUCTION
• Differences in the quality and quantity of
phytoplankton in water bodies have
contributed to their use as indicators of water
quality and trophic status (level of
anthropogenic enrichment)
• For 2 important reasons:
• Autotrophic organisms
• React very quickly to changes in the
environment

Cont……
• Usually done together with hydromorphological,
chemical and physical parameters to support water
quality assessments.
• Resulted in development of indices in water resource
monitoring and management strategies/Initiatives.
Examples:
• European Water Framework Directive (WFD)
• UK Priority Species Indicator Initiative
• DoE Malaysia Indicators for River Classification
and Monitoring

INTRODUCTION (Cont…)
• Phytoplankton indicators are reflected as:
• changes in taxonomic composition
(indicator species)
• phytoplankton community structure, eg:
dominance of larger cells in eutrophic
coastal systems (Bosak et al 2012)*
• presence/absence of specific (toxic)
species
*(Bosak, S., T. Silović2, Z. Ljubesić, G. Kuspilić,B. Pestorić, S. Krivokapić
and D.Vilicić. 2012. OCEANOLOGIA, 54 (2):255–286)

Marine Phytoplankton indicators
• Communities affected by toxic
pollutant has a low diversity and low
number of species whereas a
community affected by organic
pollutant has a fairly high number of
species but low diversity (Patrick 1973)
• Oscillatoria chalybea, Oscillatoria
trichodes, Spirulina spp (Nwankwo,
2004) – indicators of high levels of
biodegradable waste pollution
• Beggiatoa alba – indicator of sewage
pollution (APHA 1981)
Oscillatoria trichodes
Beggiatoa alba

OBJECTIVES OF TAMAN LAUT MALAYSIA LABUAN
(TLML) EXPEDITION
• To identify dominant species of phytoplankton.
• To identify the presence of key species (eg.
indicators of eutrophication, harmful algal
species, etc)
• To determine the phytoplankton community
structure abundance and spatial distribution of
dominant phytoplankton species in TLML
• To establish the water quality and productivity of
the marine environment of TLML

SAMPLING SITES
• Sites of interest
‣ Kuraman Island
‣ Rusukan Kecil/Besar Island
• Justification for selection of
sampling stations:
‣ Sites of interest
‣ Sources of
pollution/anthropogenic/industri
al influences
‣ Gradients of physical/chemical
parameters

SAMPLING LOCATIONS
• Total of 12 sampling stations.
• line transects (from Labuan Island to
Kuraman island (stations A,B,C, D, D1)
• Areas surrounding islands ie shallow
waters (stations E, F, G, H, J, K, C)
• Possible sources of pollution - Shipping
lanes (stations B, D, I) - anthropogenic
influence (stations D1, & A)

SAMPLING LOCATIONS
D1
J
C
D
B
A
E
F
K
G
H
I

SAMPLE COLLECTION
• Qualitative data (cell
identification) & Quantitative
data (estimation of
phytoplankton cell
densities).
• Sampling for both analysis
done at each sampling site.
• According to standard
methods(Addison 2006) *Addison, P. 2006. Environment Agency Report.
BS EN 15204.2006. Quality Assurance in Marine
Biological Monitoring 10.2 Phytoplankton.

SAMPLE COLLECTION (Cont…)
Description
Number of Stations
Phytoplankton Group
Total : 12 Stations
Number of Samples taken
38 Samples
• Samples for estimation of
diversity and density of
phytoplankton
• Presence of harmful algae
• Identification of indicator
species for levels of
productivity and pollution
status

RESULTS
52 species of phytoplankton from 28 genera were
identified (16 species of dinoflagelates, 36 species
of diatoms)
Mainly diatoms (Rhizosolenia sp., Bacteriastrum
sp., Chaetoceros sp., Thalssionema sp.)
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) species present
(Cochlodinium polykrikoides) – present in low
numbers ~ 80 cells/L
(Blooms of C.polykrikoides in Sepanggar Bay 9.1 x
10^7 cells/L (Anton et al., 2011)

Diatoms
Rhizosolenia sp.
Thalssionema sp.
Cosinodiscus sp.
Chaetoceros sp.
Bacteriastrum sp.
Bidulphia sp.

Dictyocha fibula
Dinoflagellates
Ceratium tripos Dictyocha fibula Licmophora sp.
Ceratium sp. Peridinium sp. Prorocentrum sp.

HABs
C. polikrikoides

PHYTOPLANKTON DENSITIES
37
27
28
12
9
10
21
21
39
64
25
58
Numbers shown are phytoplankton
densities (cells/L) x 10^2

Species diversity – Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H’)(Odum, 1993)
Station
S-W diversity index
A 1.6
B 1.4
C 1.5
D 1.4
D1 1.5
E 1.4
F 1.3
G 1.3
H 1.2
I 1.1
J 1.1
K 1.1
H’ < 1 phytoplankton community is low
1

Phytoplankton Abundance in coastal waters
off Labuan, Kudat and Kota Kinabalu
Labuan Kudat Kota
Kinabalu
Average
cells/L
2903 2730 8440

Correlation Coefficient Values Between
Physico-chemical Parameters and
Phytoplankton Abundance and Diversity
Phytoplankton
Correlation coefficient, r
Salinity pH Temp Turbidity Nitrate Phosphate Oil &
Grease
Chlorophyll
A
Cell Density *0.82 *-0.66 *-0.75 0.19 0.48 0.28 0.51 *0.60
Species
Diversity
*-0.70 *0.62 0.69 0.47 0.50 0.32 0.20 *-0.65
* Significant at p< 0.01

7000
Cell Density vs salinity
6000
5000
y = 3874x - 116543
R² = 0.6665
4000
3000
Cell Density
Linear (Cell Density)
2000
1000
0
30.2 30.4 30.6 30.8 31 31.2 31.4 31.6
Salinity
• Positive correlation

1.8
Species Diversity vs salinity
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
y = -0.3445x + 11.947
R² = 0.481
Species Diversity
Linear (Species Diversity)
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
30.2 30.4 30.6 30.8 31 31.2 31.4 31.6
Salinity
• Negative correlation

1.8
Species Diversity vs pH
1.6
1.4
y = 1.5291x - 12.002
R² = 0.3756
1.2
1
0.8
Species Diversity
Linear (Species Diversity)
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
8.5 8.55 8.6 8.65 8.7 8.75 8.8
pH
• Positive correlation

7000
Cell Density vs pH
6000
5000
4000
3000
Cell Density
Linear (Cell Density)
2000
y = -16047x + 142758
R² = 0.4533
1000
0
8.5 8.55 8.6 8.65 8.7 8.75 8.8
Negative correlation
pH

7000
Cell Density vs temperature
6000
5000
4000
3000
Cell Density
Linear (Cell Density)
2000
1000
y = -7722.7x + 237353
R² = 0.5565
0
29.9 30 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 30.6 30.7
Negative correlation
temperature

7000
Cell Density vs chlorophyll a
6000
5000
4000
3000
y = 570.22x - 2695.5
R² = 0.3655
Cell Density
Linear (Cell Density)
2000
1000
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Positive correlation
Chlorophyll, mg/ml

CONCLUSIONS
• Diatoms were the most dominant phtyoplankton
• Chaetoceros sp., Bacteriastrum hyalinum and
Thalssionema fraunfeldii recorded the highest
densities –common marine phytoplankton
• Presence of harmful algae (Cochlodinium
polikrikoides), but in low numbers, no blooms
detected.
• Absence of specific indicator species

Cont..CONCLUSION
• Interactions with environmental factors:
Cell abundance
positive correlation with salinity and
chlorophyll a
Negative correlation with pH and
temperature
Species diversity:
Positive correlation with pH
Negative correlation with salinity and
chlorophyll a

Cont..CONCLUSION
• High species diversity & relative low densities of
phytoplankton in Taman Laut Malaysia Labuan
suggest pristine water quality, no sign of marine
eutrophication.
• No evidence of severe pollution either from
anthropogenic activities of mainland Labuan,
shipping lanes or refinery.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Long-term monitoring required for:
• Determination of species indices for the
assessment of eutrophication levels for
mitigation/policy purposes.
• Monitoring and assessment of harmful
algal blooms for protecting human health
and avoiding economic losses.
• To provide baseline information necessary
for developing a monitoring programme for
island parks.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• JABATAN TAMAN LAUT MALAYSIA
• UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH
• BORNEO MARINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
• RESEARCH AND FIELD ASSISTANTS

Thank you for your attention!