International Journal of Marine Science 2015, Vol.5, No.22, 1-6
2
A study was conducted to determine distribution and
concentration several types of heavy metal (Lead, Pb;
Copper, Cu; Cadmium, Cd; Chromium, Cr and
Mercury, Hg) in the Tallo River Estuary which was
known to be in the category of polluted water body
and to examine whether there is a correlation between
the existing type of heavy metal and diversity and
abundance of microalgae.
1 Methods
1.1 Study site
The study areas are located at Tallo Estuary on the
north coast of Makassar as shown in Figure 1. Tallo
Estuary is estuary from Tallo River. Tallo Estuary is
the largest estuary in Makassar City and located in
South Sulawesi Province. The river originates from
northeast of Makassar Bay and its tributaries rise in
the forested mountain, which combine of resident,
agriculture and industrial activity.
Figure 1 Location of the sampling station on Tallo Estuary in
Makassar
Sampling was undertaken along Tallo Estuary, which
represented and affected area of industrial, mangrove
and domestic activity. A number of 3 sampling
stations were identified for heavy metal, microalgae
analyses and water quality with triplicate sampling
each station.
1.2 Samples Collection and Storage
The water samples were collected from a depth of 1
meter below the surface using Camerer Water Sampler
and kept in polyethylene container (500 mL) with the
addition of 2 mL concentrated HNO3, in order to
preserve the metal. Water sample for microalgae
analysis added with 2 mL Lugol’s solution as a
preservation solution. The sediment samples were
collected using Eikman Dredge and kept in the plastic
container (1 kg) and put into the cool box. Water
quality was measured in situ using Water Quality
Checker for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity,
turbidity, temperature and salinity.
1.3 Heavy Metal and Microalgae Analysis
The heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr and
Hg) was analysed using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry AAS 1100B model Perkin Elmer.
Microalgae samples were identified and counted using
Sedwick Rafter Chamber Method and light
microscope with maximum 400 times magnification.
1.4 Statistical Analysis
All sampling were performed in triplicate. Student
t-test were carried out to determine significant
differences (p<0.01) of heavy metal concentration in
the sediment and water and also between sampling
sites. To examine the correlation between heavy metal
concentration and abundance and dominant of
microalgae, the data were analyzed using regression
analysis in the SPSS v. 15 software program.
2 Results and Discussion
2.1 Water Quality
In general, Tallo River Estuary is characterized by
good water quality. Dissolved oxygen concentration in
Tallo River Estuary was 5.6 ppm, this concentration is
more than minimum requirement for aquatic organism,
which is 4 mg/L (Baker, 1980). Tallo River Estuary is
the largest estuarine in Makassar. The continuous
current created a homogenous condition of DO that
was indicated by low standard deviation value. Water
clarity of Tallo River Estuary was 0.6 meter, it was
considered normal for Tropical estuary. Sampling
stations are located within order 5, which is normally
affected by human activities and make the waters
color to a brownish color. The pH value also classified
Tallo River Estuary was a normal pH value for
tropical estuary.
Most chemical parameter was detected at low
concentration except for phosphate which was found
slightly high. The water quality of river depends on
catchment and land activities. It has been reported that
more than 60% of water quality at aquatic ecosystem
is determined by inland activities. Tallo River Estuary
