4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Environmental Condition at Pasi Island
The result of observation due to physical - chemical parameters and environmental condition at Pasi Island were shown in Table 1. Physical and
chemical parameters may indicate whether the coral reefs are in optimal condition for growth or not.
Table 1 The data of physical - chemical parameters at Pasi Island
Parameters Study Sites
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
Avg.
Temperature 31.4
C 31.4
31.3 30.2
31.2 31.2
31.5 31.6
31.6 31.0
31.23 Depth m
5 7
3 3
6 3
3 3
3 7
4.30 Brightness
100 100
100 100
100 100
100 100
100 100
100 Current velocity msec
0.12 0.04
0.04 0.02
0.08 0.03
0.03 0.03
0.03 0.10
0.05 Salinity ‰
33 32
32 30
32 32
32 32
32 32
31.90
Variation of temperature at each site measured in small value, ranging from 30,2
C to 31,6
Salinity was obtained at all sites ranged from 30 ‰ to 32 ‰. The lowest value was obtained at site no. 4 while the salinity at other sites is relatively the
same. The range of values was obtained show that the salinity in the Pasi Island within the tolerance ranges for coral growth.
C. The lowest value was obtained at site no. 4 located in the eastern part of the island. The highest value was obtained at site no. 9 located in
the southern part of the island. The range of temperature was obtained from the observed at all sites still in a good range for coral growth.
Surface current velocity at the sites of the study ranged from 0.02 to 0.12 m sec. The lowest current velocity at site no. 4 is 0.02 m s because the station is
close to the jetty and near the coast that could reduce its drive, while the highest current velocity at site no. 1 with 0.12 m sec. Current velocity can affect coral
growth because it not only can bring nutrients but also clean up sediments on the reefs. Current velocity also gives negative impact on coral reefs. Current those
are too heavy can break the reef and stirring the bottom of waters. The waters become muddy and will disrupt the photosynthesis process of zooxanthellae
Nugeus 2002. Brightness values were obtained at all sites are 100. This is related to
the depth of water for all sites located in the shallow waters between 3-7 m depth. If the reefs are in the shade or protected from light, the growth will be
vulnerable even death if light availability is not sufficient to live. Light were
needed by the zooxanthellae whose existence is closely related to the coral growth Nybakken 1997.
Physical-chemical parameters measured in waters Pasi Island in general are in good condition for supporting coral growth optimally. The results showed
that types of coral reefs in Pasi Island, Selayar Islands District categorized as fringing reef. According to Nybakken 1997, fringing reef is coral reef that grew
and developed around the islands along the coastline with less than 40 m depth.
4.2 Coral Reef Lifeforms
Kategori