Sains Malaysiana 40(6)(2011): 549–554

Accumulation of Settling Particles in Some Coral Reef Areas of Peninsular Malaysia

(Akumulasi Partikel Terampai di Beberapa Kawasan Terumbu Karang di Semenanjung Malaysia)

Jen Nie Lee & Che Abd Rahim Mohamed*

Marine Ecosystem Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

Received: 20 May 2010 / Accepted: 21 October 2010

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of settling particles in coral reefs of Peninsular Malaysia. Settling particles were collected from the coral reefs of Port Dickson, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang and Pulau Tinggi from 2005 to 2008. The average total settling particles in Pulau Langkawi and Port Dickson was 49.8 mg/cm2/day, while for Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Tinggi was 3.5 mg/cm2/day. The results showed that accumulations rate in west coast were higher than east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. However, Pulau Tioman in the east coast received high accumulations rate of settling particles in certain times of the year due to sediment resuspension at shallow reefs caused by high energy seasonal yearly wave and monsoon.

Keywords: Accumulations rate; coral reef; organic matter; Peninsular Malaysia; settling particles

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan kadar pemendakan partikel di kawasan terumbu karang Semananjung Malaysia. Sampel telah diambil dari kawasan terumbu karang Port Dickson, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang dan Pulau Tinggi dari tahun 2005 hingga 2008. Purata kadar pemendakan di Pulau Langkawi dan Port Dickson adalah 49.8 mg/cm2/hari, manakala di Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang and Pulau Tinggi adalah 3.5 mg/cm2/hari. Hasil menunjukkan bahawa kadar sedimentasi di pantai barat adalah lebih tinggi dari pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia. Namun, sesetengah kawasan dari pesisir barat menerima kadar pemendakan yang tinggi pada waktu tertentu kerana pemendakan semula sedimen pada terumbu cetek akibat tenaga ombak yang tinggi pada musim monsoon yang berlaku setiap tahun.

Kata kunci: Bahan organik; kadar akumulasi; partikel terampai; Semenanjung Malaysia; terumbu karang

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*Corresponding author; email: carmohd@ukm.my