The Meiobenthos Abundance as Bioindicators of Tangerang Coastal TWaters

THE MEIOBENTHOS ABUNDANCE AS BIOINDICATORS
OF TANGERANG COASTAL WATERS

LUSITA MEILANA

DEPARTMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
FACULTY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE SCIENCE
BOGOR AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
BOGOR
2014

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY
Hereby I declare that the undergraduate thesis entitled "The Meiobenthos
Abundance as Bioindicators of Tangerang Coastal Waters" is true of my work
with the directives of the supervisor committee and has not been submitted in any
form to any college. Sources of information derived or quoted from the work
published and unpublished from other writers have mentioned in the text and
listed in the references at the end of this paper.

Bogor, July 2014
Lusita Meilana

NIM C24100003

ABSTRACT
LUSITA MEILANA.
The Meiobenthos Abundance as Bioindicators of
Tangerang Coastal Waters. Supervised by MAJARIANA KRISANTI and YUSLI
WARDIATNO.
Sediment at five stations along 54 points on Tangerang coastal waters were
investigated to study meiobenthos abundance as bioindicators and the relationship
between grain size and TOC. They were analyzed using N/C ratio and Spearman
rank correlation. Sediment samples were collected during April and August 2013
and identified to the different taxa level. Nematodes were dominant taxa
(90.81%),
followed
by Polychaeta
(3.14%),
Copepods
(3.07%),
Sarcomastigophora (2.46%), and Oligochaeta (0.53%) in all sampling sites. The
meiobenthos was primarily represented by Nematodes amount 2029 ind/10 cm2.

Meiobenthos diversity, dominancy, and evenness were not significantly different
among the five sites. The density of meiobenthos organisms are positively
correlated with the grain size and negatively correlated with TOC. The values of
N/C ratio >1 indicated that Tangerang coastal waters have highly polluted by
organic matter.
Keywords: bioindicators, meiobenthos, organic matter, sediment, Tangerang
coastal waters

ABSTRAK
LUSITA MEILANA. Kepadatan Meiobentos sebagai Bioindikator di Pesisir
Kabupaten Tangerang. Dibimbing oleh MAJARIANA KRISANTI dan YUSLI
WARDIATNO.
Pengambilan contoh sedimen dilakukan pada lima stasiun di 54 titik
sepanjang wilayah pesisir Kabupaten Tangerang untuk mengetahui kelimpahan
meiobentos sebagai bioindikator dan korelasinya terhadap grain size dan TOC.
Analisis dengan menggunakan rasio N/C dan Spearman rank correlation.
Sedimen diambil pada bulan April dan Agustus 2013 serta diidentifikasi pada
level taksa yang berbeda. Lima taksa dominan yang ditemukan yaitu Nematoda
90.81%, Sarcomastigophora 2.46%, Polychaeta 3.14%, Copepoda 3.07%, dan
Oligochaeta 0.53% di semua lokasi. Nematoda adalah jenis yang paling

mendominasi sebanyak 2029 ind/10 cm2. Nilai keanekaragaman, dominansi, dan
keseragaman tidak berbeda jauh di lima lokasi penelitian. Meiobentos berkorelasi
positif dengan grain size dan negatif dengan TOC.
Rasio N/C >1
mengindikasikan bahwa pesisir Kabupaten Tangerang telah tercemar bahan
organik.
Kata kunci: bahan organik, bioindikator, meiobentos, sedimen, wilayah pesisir
Kabupaten Tangerang

THE MEIOBENTHOS ABUNDANCE AS BIOINDICATORS
OF TANGERANG COASTAL WATERS

LUSITA MEILANA

This undergraduate thesis is
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the bachelor degree of fisheries
on
Departement of Aquatic Resources Management

DEPARTMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
FACULTY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE SCIENCE
BOGOR AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
BOGOR
2014

Title

: The Meiobenthos Abundance as Bioindicators of Tangerang Coastal
TWaters
Name : Lusita Meilana
NIM : C24100003
Major : Department of Aquatic Resources Management

Approved by

Dr Majariana Krisanti, SPi MSi
First Supervisor

Dr Ir Yusli Wardiatno, MSc

Second Supervisor

Dr Ir M Mukhlis Kamal, MSc
Head of Department

Graduated Date:

PREFACE
Praise to Allah, the most gracious and merciful. The writer could finish
undergraduate thesis with the title “The Meiobenthos Abundance as Bioindicators
of Tangerang Coastal Waters”. This undergraduate thesis submitted in fulfillment
of the requirements for the bachelor degree of fisheries at Department of Aquatic
Resources Management, Fisheries and Marine Faculty.
In finishing this undergraduate thesis much help in the form of guidance,
suggestions, and corrections have been given to the writer. In this respect, the
writer is greatly indebted to:
1. Bogor Agricultural University that has given chance to study.
2. BIDIK MISI Scholarship that has given fund to study at IPB.
3. PT. Kapuk Naga Indah and LPPM that have given fund to finish this
research.

4. Dr Ir Yunizar Ernawati, MS as academic supervisor.
5. Dr Majariana Krisanti, SPi MSi and Dr Ir Yusli Wardiatno, MSc as
supervisors, who have given valuable guidance, helps, and advices during
the processes of writing this undergraduate thesis to the writer.
6. Dr Ir Isdradjad Setyobudiandi, MSc as examiner, Dr Ir Niken Tunjung
Murti Pratiwi, MSi as education commission of Department of Aquatic
Resources Management.
7. Beloved Father and Mother (Sutiyo and Dwi Setiya Wati), also sister
(Novita Sastrawati) for their encouragement to finish this undergraduate
thesis.
8. Tangerang team mates (Special for Akrom Muflih who has helped much).
9. Big family of Biomicro Laboratory (Special for Ibu Siti), Productivity and
Water Environment Division, as well as the entire Administration
Department staff of Department of Aquatic Resources Management,
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Bogor Agricultural University.
10. Great family of Department of Aquatic Resources Management batch 46,
47, 48, SDP 2013.
11. Every single person that cannot be mentioned, for their guidance and
suggestions.
The writer realizes that this paper is still far from perfect. Therefore the

writer would like to welcome every kind of contribution suggested by the readers
in such forms as comment, critics, and so on, as these will valuable for the
improvement of this paper. This undergraduate thesis thus prepared, may be
useful.

Bogor, July 2014

Lusita Meilana

CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF APPENDIXES
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Sites
Sampling Method and Treatment of Samples
Data Analysis
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Result

Discussion
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusions
Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIXES
CURRICULUM VITAE

vi
vi
vi
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
10
12

12
12
12
15
17

LIST OF TABLES
1
2
3

4

Classes of sediment texture according to Wentworth scale in samples
composed sediment (LPPM 2013)
Total density (ind/10 cm2), diversity (H’), evenness (E), and
dominancy (C) index of meiobenthos taxa in the five sites
Total numbers of meiobenthos density (ind/10 cm2) and percentage of
most abundant taxa (Nematodes and Copepods include both adults
and nauplii) at five stations

P statistic and correlation value for Spearman rank correlation
(average abundances of five taxa contrasted with environmental
factors)
...

4
7

9

10

LIST OF FIGURES
1

2
3
4

5

Sampling area and location of stations: Kronjo (K), Mauk (M),
Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir (T), and Dadap (D), sub-stations (K01K09, M01-M06, R01-R15, T01-T15, and D01-D09) with composed of
three replicate cores K1 (K01-K03), K2 (K04-K06), K3 (K07-K09),
M1 (M01-M03), M2 (M04-M06), R1 (R01-R03), R2 (R04-R06), R3
(R07-R09), R4 (R10-R12), R5 (R13-R15), T1 (T01-T03), T2 (T04T06), T3 (T07-T09), T4 (T10-T12), T5 (T13-T15), D1 (D01-D03), D2
(D04-D06), D3 (D07-D09) stations (map sources: WGS 1984)
Total Organic Carbon (TOC%) concentrations in sediment according
to Walkley & Black (LPPM 2013)
Proportion of five most meiobenthos abundance in April and August
Average numbers of major meiobenthos taxa (±SD) in the five study
areas (April and August), Kronjo (K), Mauk (M), Rawakidang (R),
Tanjungpasir (T) and Dadap (D)
Pearson cluster analysis of observations ((a) = April, (b) = August) for
group average clustering of meiobenthos genera at Kronjo (K), Mauk
(M), Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir (T) and Dadap (P) stations with
composed of three replicate cores

2
5
7

8

9

LIST OF APPENDIXES
1
2

Abundance of meiobenthos
Documentation of the research

15
16

INTRODUCTION
Marine and coastal areas are very important for the majority of the
Indonesian population. Amount 60% of the total Indonesia population, living, and
active in that areas (Dahuri 1995). Tangerang coastal waters are one of coastal
areas that face constant pressure in the form of ecological pollutants. Its
originating from human activity such as: fisheries, mining, commercial,
residential, social, and industrial plant (Ariyani & Sue 2009). This area has
depleted over the past year, putting residents in the coastal areas at risk of tidal
waves and sea rise published by Jakarta Post (2010). Land use patterns and
characteristics created by human initiative have affected surface and groundwater
quality, air quality, wildlife habitat availability and quality, climate, and also
ecosystem structure. These impacts are becoming more significant when the
human population growth and the ability to exploit natural resources has been
improving (Khosla et al. 1995 in Kumurur 2002).
Damage to aquatic environment occurs due to the pollution from
anthropogenic activities will affect the lives of aquatic biota such as plankton,
benthos and fish (Sudarso et al. 2009). One of the impacts examples is waste heat
from the power plant. It causes the water temperature increase and dangerous for
benthic organisms (Huboyo et al. 2007). Moreover, excessive material inputs
from other human activity, also can lead to the phenomenon of sediment grain
size changes and can threaten benthic community change (Williams 1987 in
Anggraeni 2002).
Benthic organisms are good bioindicators to monitor the impact of pollution
on the environment quality, especially meiobenthos due to the presence of
abundant in the fine sediments in bottom waters from the littoral zone to the basal
zone (Susetiono 2000; Romimohtarto & Juwana 2001; Lampadariou et al. 2005;
Prakitri 2008). Meiobenthos in marine sediments, has very important ecological
roles such as caterers for a variety of higher tropic levels, plays an important role
in the biodegradation of organic matter, facilitates biomineralization of organic
matter, improve nutrient regeneration, nourish bottom waters, contributes to the
interactive effects of marine other through competition, symbiosis, predation, and
associations. High sensitivity to anthropogenic inputs, pollutants, and very
important role, make meiobenthos become a good organism for studies of
pollution and used as bioindicators in assessing the marine environment condition
(Lee et al. 2000; Beier & Traunspurger 2001; Mistri et al. 2002; Stead et al. 2005;
Mirto et al. 2000 in Wardiatno et al. 2012; Raffaelli 2000 in Wardiatno et al.
2012; Smith et al. 2001 in Wardiatno et al. 2012; Buat 2006 in Wardiatno et al.
2012).
In particular, the aims of the present study are to determine the meiobenthic
communities and also to determine the relationship between meiobenthos with
grain size and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) along the Tangerang coastal waters
located in the Java Sea. It’s association with the management of aquatic resources
sustainably.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Sites
The study area (Fig.1) includes five different stations along the Tangerang
coastal waters: Kronjo (K), Mauk (M), Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir (T), and
Dadap (D). The first study area is Kronjo. Kronjo has run off from two streams
(Sipanjang and Cipasilian). The second site is Mauk, has run off from three
streams (Cimandiri, Cileuleus, and Cimauk). The third site is Rawakidang has
run off from two streams (Cirarab and Cisadane ordo). A next site is
Tanjungpasir has run off from one stream (Cisadane). Dadap has run off from
Kali Dadap and Kali Kamal (Jakarta), that location opposite the mouth of the
Muara Angke Harbor.
Tangerang coastal waters are located in Eastern part of the Banten Province.
Geographical located at 106o20'-106o43' East Longitude and 6o00'-6o20' South
Latitude. This area is a shallow and has large tidal range characteristics and also
small tilt. That caused the waves did not break in one part of the tidal flats for a
long time. It made the rise and low tide more effectively in sediment transport
process in tidal flat than compared with wave. Sediment distribution in tidal flats
showed that the high tidal flats were dominated by mud and the low tidal flats
were dominated by sand (Lanuru & Suwarni 2011).

Fig. 1 Sampling area and location of stations: Kronjo (K), Mauk (M),
Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir (T), and Dadap (D), sub-stations (K01-K09,
M01-M06, R01-R15, T01-T15, and D01-D09) with composed of three
replicate cores K1 (K01-K03), K2 (K04-K06), K3 (K07-K09), M1 (M01M03), M2 (M04-M06), R1 (R01-R03), R2 (R04-R06), R3 (R07-R09), R4
(R10-R12), R5 (R13-R15), T1 (T01-T03), T2 (T04-T06), T3 (T07-T09),
T4 (T10-T12), T5 (T13-T15), D1 (D01-D03), D2 (D04-D06), D3 (D07D09) stations (map sources: WGS 1984)

3
Tangerang coastal water includes parts of the Java Sea has average
temperature ranged 21.5°C-34.1°C. The highest temperature in October and
December amount 35.4 °C, minimum temperature in August amount 20.2°C. The
humidity and light intensity in average about 79.9% and 54.5%. The highest
rainfall occurred in June and November was 17 mm, and the rainfall was 10.9 mm
in a year. The rainfall season in January with the 24 days and in August 3 days
only. Average wind speed in a year was 3.5 km/h, with a maximum speed of 24
km/h (BPS 2012).

Sampling Method and Treatment of Samples
Primary data (meiobenthos) and secondary data (grain size and TOC) from
LPPM (2013) were taken. Sampling was carried out in April and August 2013.
In each station, five stations (K, M, R, T, and D) with 54 sub-stations (K01-K09,
M01-M06, R01-R15, T01-T15, and D01-D09) were sampled for meiobenthos and
sediment analysis. Sediment samples were obtained using Van Veen grab
(opening size: 25 x 45 cm) with opener in up part. At each location, the grab was
deployed three times. Particle size distribution was determined and the sediment
fractions were defined according to the Wentworth scale (Gray & Elliott 2009).
Subsamples for meiobenthos analyzed were collected in triplicate using a
sediment corer (minicorer: 2 inch internal diameter) and these samples were taken
from Van Veen grab opener. Samples were fixed in 4% neural formaldehyde
solution and treated in Bio micro laboratory, Department of Aquatic Resources
Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB: Samples of
organisms were extracted from coarser sediments and other debris by manual and
retained on a 35 μ m and 60 μ m mesh sieve. Meiobenthos was stained with Rose
Bengal solution, sorted, and counted into the different major taxa under a
microscope (Leonardis et al. 2008). Standard identification keys “Guide to
Identification of Marine and Estuarine Invertebrates” was used for taxonomic
based on morphological characteristics (Gosner et al. 1971).

Data Analysis
Number of species and the numbers of individuals per species were
analyzed with the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (Krebs 1998). Simpson
dominance index (Krebs 1998) was used to determine the dominant biota species
or dominate much and evenness index was used to determine the level of
similarity among species (Krebs 1998). Total density was defined as the total
number of individuals (ind/10 cm2) overall per area. Taxa density was defined as
the average of individual types in each type of the station, and generally counted
in the density calculation of meiobenthos ind/10 cm2. Pearson cluster analysis of
observations was applied to determine the contribution of higher meiobenthos
taxa to the dissimilarity between the areas or to determine the same type of taxa
abundance number in stations. It was performed using Minitab 15.
The ratio of Nematodes/Copepods (N/C) can be used as a biomonitoring
tool for benthic communities. The value of the ratio between the Nematodes and

4
Copepods can indicate the intensity of organic contamination. The high ratio of
N/C (N/C >1) indicates the presence of organic pollution (Susetiono 2000). Oneway ANOVA test was used to determine the significantly different among the five
sites. Simple regression analysis, to determine for main component that gives
high effect to Nematodes and Copepods. Spearman rank correlation was applied
to describe the correlation between abundance of meiobenthic communities and
environmental factors (grain size and TOC), it was performed using SPSS 20.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Result
All examined samples sediment was composed. The silt (Md=0.00550.0544 mm) fractions was the main sediment components at all sites, with
exception of three sites (R2, R3, D1), where very fine (Md=0.0118-0.1015 mm)
sand was dominant (Table 1).
Table 1 Classes of sediment texture according to Wentworth scale in samples
composed sediment (LPPM 2013)
April
Stations
Stations K
K1
K2
K3
Stations M
M1
M2
Stations R
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
Stations T
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
Stations D
D1
D2
D3

August

Md
(mm)

Classes

Abundance
(ind/10 cm2)
± SD

Md
(mm)

classes

Abundance
(ind/10 cm2)
± SD

0.0103
0.0237
0.0090

Silt
Silt
Silt

100 ± 0.95
27 ± 10.06
14 ± 4.74

0.0167
0.0237
0.0167

Silt
Silt
Silt

78 ± 31.00
115 ± 46.42
62 ± 23.81

0.0068
0.0055

Silt
Silt

80 ± 31.96
20 ± 7.49

0.0179
0.0237

Silt
Silt

41 ± 15.68
71 ± 27.15

0.0084
0.1015
0.0769
0.0146
0.0221

Silt
very fine sand
very fine sand
Silt
Silt

39 ± 13.00
1 ± 0.55
14 ± 6.07
62 ± 23.06
100 ± 40.59

0.0206
0.0335
0.0407
0.0272
0.0313

Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt

82 ± 33.70
12 ± 4.81
28 ± 11.89
71 ± 29.92
204 ± 83.88

0.0544
0.0254
0.0084
0.0237
0.0068

Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt

48 ± 15.80
190 ± 82.11
47 ± 19.50
49 ± 20.44
10 ± 4.46

0.0359
0.0359
0.0237
0.0179
0.0254

Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt
Silt

64 ± 24.62
89 ± 36.40
52 ± 23.00
100 ± 37.74
65 ± 26.41

0.0118
0.0063
0.0078

very fine sand
Silt
Silt

51 ± 20.63
48 ± 20.97
24 ± 9.30

0.0412
0.0146
0.0127

Silt
Silt
Silt

84 ± 35.23
50 ± 20.99
39 ± 16.58

5
Figure 2 represent the concentrations of TOC in sediment according to
Walkley & Black, They have different concentrations between one station and
other, the higher was at D1 amount 2.88% and the lower at R2 amount 0.38%
with number of average in all sites were 1.22% in April. The higher
concentrations at M2 amount 2.43% and the lower at K2 amount 0.14% with
number of average in all sites were 1.67% in August.

3.5

April

August

3

TOC (%)

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
K1 K2 K3 M1 M2 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 D1 D2 D3
Composed stations

Fig. 2 Total Organic Carbon (TOC%) concentrations in sediment according to
Walkley & Black (LPPM 2013)
Total density of five the most abundant taxa (Nematodes 90.81%,
Sarcomastigophora 2.46%, Polychaeta 3.14%, Copepods 3.07%, and Oligochaeta
0.53%) for all sampling sites are. Station R was the most abundant site than other
sites, amount 447 ± 180.26 SD ind/10 cm2 in April and 482 ± 197.61 SD ind/10
cm2 in August. Furthermore, in station D the less abundant meiobenthos, amount
56 ± 14.37 SD ind/10 cm2 in April and 122 ± 50.39 SD ind/10 cm2 in August
(Table 2).
In all sampling sites, the meiobenthos showed low values of diversity (H’),
evenness (E) and high dominancy (C), H’ ranged from 0.31 (K) to 0.89 (D) in
April, and from 0.26 (K) to 0.45 (M) in August. The evenness (E) ranged from
0.15 (K) to 0.49 (D) in April and in August 0.16 (K) to 0.28 (M). The dominant
(C) ranged from 0.46 (D) to 0.88 (K) and in August ranged from 0.79 (M) to 0.90
(K) (Table 2). The one-way ANOVA test revealed that meiobenthos ShannonWiener diversity (H’), Simpson evenness (E) and dominancy (C) indicates based
on taxa abundance were not significantly different among the five sites (p0.05). However,
Copepods abundance data in August showed a main correlation value with two
variables (grain size and TOC), only grain size (p=0.002, R2=0.44) are having an
effect on Copepods abundance. Different from the result in April, these variables
do not give an effect on Copepods abundance (p>0.05). It means that the
relationship between Copepods community and environmental variables are
generally weak. All the result indicated that the environmental variables
measured from sediment composition, or some variable correlated with it, is most
important in influencing changes in community at this site.
Similarity dendrogram, constructed from averaged abundance of
meiobenthos. The resulting dendograms of the cluster analysis are represented in
Fig.5. All stations were separated, made seven clusters in April but five
substations did show any significant differences in group. Six clusters in August
with three substations did show any significant differences because clearly
separated from the other substations. This grouping occurs because each station
has the same type of taxa abundance number.
Spearman rank correlation was applied to describe the correlation between
abundance of meiobenthic communities and environmental factors (grain size and
TOC). The results of correlation analysis by Spearman rank correlation were
grain size (p=0.01) with positive rank and significantly correlated amount 0.54.
TOC (p=0.04) with negative rank and significantly correlated amount -0.41
(Table 4).

7

8

8
200

Nematodes

100

100

0

0
K

M

30

R

T

K

D

20

20

10

10

R

T

D

Polychaeta

0
K

30

M

R

T

K

D

30

Copepods

20

20

10

10

M

R

T

D

T

D

T

D

Copepods

0

0
K
30

M

R

T

K

D

30

Oligochaeta

20

20

10

10

0

M

R

Oligochaeta

0
K

30

M

30

Polychaeta

0

ind/10 cm2

Nematodes

200

M

R

T

D

Sarcomastigophora

K

20

10

10

R

Sarcomastigophora

30

20

M

0

0
K

M

R

April

T

D

K

M

R

T

D

August

Fig. 4 Average numbers of major meiobenthos taxa (±SD) in the five study areas
(April and August), Kronjo (K), Mauk (M), Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir
(T), and Dadap (D)

9
Table 3 Total numbers of meiobenthos densities (ind/10 cm2) and percentage of
most abundant taxa (Nematodes and Copepods include both adults and
nauplii) at five stations
April
R

K
M
T
D
Total
(ind/10 119
57
426
220
24
cm2)
N/C
35.20 54.26 28.93 46.79 23,43
N (%) 97.24 98.19 96.66 97.91 97.66
C (%)
2.76 1.81 3.34 2.09 4.09

K

M

August
R

169

161

462

T

D

345

117

43.64 11.03 37.51 24.18 48.67
97.76 91.69 97.40 96.03 97.99
2.24 8.31 2.60 3.97 2.01

N=Nematodes, C=Copepods

(a)

(b)
Fig. 5 Pearson cluster analysis of observations ((a) = April, (b) = August) for
group average clustering of meiobenthos genera at Kronjo (K), Mauk (M),
Rawakidang (R), Tanjungpasir (T) and Dadap (P) stations with composed
of three replicate cores

10
Table 4 P statistic and correlation value for Spearman rank correlation (average
abundances of five taxa contrasted with environmental factors)
Environmental Variables
Grain size
TOC

Correlation
0.54*
-0.41*

P-value
0.01
0.04

*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (1-tailed).

Discussion
In this study, Nematodes were generally the most abundant meiobenthic
group amount 2029 ind/10 cm2 (91%) in all sites and the silt (Md=0.0055-0.0544
mm) fractions was the main sediment components at all sites. It shows that the
Nematodes have the most widely distribution capabilities and high tolerance to
poor environmental conditions. This result is consistent with previous data by
Deudero & Vincx (2000), Xiaoshou et al. (2004), Lampadariou et al. (2005),
Leonardis et al. (2008), Kumary (2008), Sandulli et al. (2010), Sharma et al.
(2012), Miljutin et al. (2012) with more than 39% until 100% in Nematodes
numbers. According to Nybakken (1992) the factors that give an effect to the life
of interstitial organism as meiobenthos are granular particle size, hydrological
characteristics, season, oxygen, sediment, and nutrients. Once again by Coul &
Chandler (2001), meiobenthos are closely associated with this muddy-sediment
geochemical soup, as they spend their entire life cycle there and have limited
ability to leave. Giere (1993), Coul & Chandler (2001) emphasized that finer
sediment being preferred by Nematodes and the courser often by Harpacticoids.
Nematodes tends to be more tolerant to pollution and can survive in low oxygen
as reported by Gee et al. (1985), Warwick et al. (1988), Bejarano et al. (2005),
Wolff (1983) in Wardiatno et al. (2012).
Nematodes abundance indicates that the Tangerang coastal waters had
significantly higher depositions that will ultimately depleting the oxygen content
due to the decomposition of organic matter. Pennak (1978) mentioned that the
Nematodes are able to live in an anaerobic condition for several weeks and the
eggs have a high durability, may still hatch after months of not getting oxygen,
after several freeze and thaw. Sediment grain size cannot be separated from the
surrounding environment that helps the formation of sediments, such as sediment
source components derived from the mainland as abrasion, erosion or wastes
which carried by the river to the coast. In other words there has been a processing
of high pollution, thought come from industries, domestic, fisheries, and
community settlements. In fact, this result is consistent with previous data by
Prakitri (2008) in Jerambah and Buding streams showing that Nematodes were
indication of organic matters pollution.
Station R has a highest Nematodes abundance among the other sites; station
R has good grain size and sufficient with TOC content. Station D has higher TOC
value, but lower in abundance. It is suspected because this station has run off
from Kali Dadap and Kali Kamal (Jakarta). Moreover, this station located near
mouths of heavily polluted Muara Angke Harbor. Excessive material inputs can
lead to the phenomenon of sediment grain size changes and it can threaten
meiobenthos community change (Williams 1987 in Anggraeni 2002).

11
Besides Nematodes, the second dominant of meiobenthos types was
Polychaeta (3.14%) amount 74 ind/10 cm2 in all sites, and the highest at station R
amount 34 ind/10 cm2. This station has a grain size range of larger size (0.0084
mm-0.1015 mm). It is suspected that the Polychaeta is a type of meiobenthos, like
environment with a high sand and low organic C content. This is supported by
Marhaeni (1999) that Polychaeta was found in many environments with low redox,
high sand content, low salinity, high temperature, high pH, and low organic C
content.
Raffaeli et al. (1987) have used different characters of ecology from
Nematodes and Copepods to estimate the impact of pollution with a simple
calculation, namely ratio between Nematodes and Copepods. This ratio is very
easy and common indicators of pollution because it can negate a difficult type
identified (Vincx et al. 1990 in Giere 1993). The N/C ratio is influenced by
physicals, chemical, and biological factors (Susetiono 1999). Nematodes are
detritus feeder therefore enrichment of organic matter increasing the number.
Whereas Copepods are microalgae or diatom grazers, they are very sensitive with
the presence of oxygen and reacts negatively to the presence of organic load
(Susetiono 2000). In the present study, N/C ratios were high >1 in all sites. It
indicates that the presence of organic pollution high in Tangerang coast, intensity
of organic contamination was occurred in this area. Espoused by the result of
simple regression analysis, Nematodes abundance has correlation with TOC
(p=0.01, R2=0.35). Nevertheless, Copepods have correlation with grain size
(p=0.002, R2=0.44). Normally, Copepods density increases as sediment particle
size increases. Type of substrate texture associated with the circulation of water
that supply the oxygen content and organic matter content as nutrient (Giere 1993).
The low diversity, evenness, and high dominance close to 1 in average
numbers (Table 2) throughout the sampling locations Kronjo, Mauk, Rawakidang,
Tanjungpasir and Dadap indicated that meiobenthos coast has experienced a
disturbance of normal water conditions (Brower & Zar 1997). Giere (1993)
explained that silt has low H’ (diversity index) and high C (dominancy index).
Taking place around rivers and coastal areas, anthropogenic activities have
increased metal contamination in waters and increase dominance, which only
specific type of meiobenthos groups are able to survive, in this study was
Nematodes.
Based on the results of the Spearman rank correlation between meiobenthos
and environmental factors (grain size and TOC) meiobenthos are significant
correlated to the physic-chemical conditions of the sediment and TOC. The
existence of meiobenthos organisms are affected by grain size which is a habitat
for meiobenthos. Generally, the correlation between the structure and the
distribution of sediment meiofauna very strong, which dominated from various
factors. It is often directly related to the dominance and diversity of meiofauna
(Gray & Buchanan 1984 in Giere 1993).
Particle grain size is correlated to the water circulation that regulates
moisture, oxygen supplies and nutrients. In addition, differences in the structure
of grain size determine the presence of diverse bacterial colonies (Meadows and
Anderson 1966 in Giere 1993) that attract different species of meiofauna
(Marcotte 1986 in Giere 1993). According Nybakken (1992) substrate type and
size were two ecological factor affecting organic matter content and distribution

12
of benthos. The content of organic matter in the sediments is closely related to the
type of sediment. The abundance of meiobenthos correlated by waters quality
condition, especially the contents of organic matter and substrate conditions that
support and comfort to meiobenthos life (McLachlan et al. 1981 in Giere 1993).

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusions
Five most abundant taxa found in proportion were Nematodes 90.81%,
Sarcomastigophora 2.46%, Polychaeta 3.14%, Copepods 3.07%, and Oligochaeta
0.53%. Tangerang coastal waters have highly polluted by organic matter
indicated by presence of Nematodes taxa as the most abundant and dominated
meiobenthos types, also the high value of the N/C ratio at all sites. The density of
meiobenthos organisms are significant positive correlated with the grain size and
negative with TOC.

Recommendation
For future study analysis which should be conducted are: determine the
specific species that can become bioindicator, especially from Nematodes taxa
and continue researches about the effect of the pollutions for meiobenthos life
specifically.

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15

APPENDIXES
Appendix 1 Abundance of meiobenthos
Taxa abundance (Ind/10 cm2) in April
No Abundance Nematodes Sarcomastigophora Polychaeta
1
K1
47.02
0.00
1.59
2
K2
47.18
0.00
0.44
3
K3
21.40
0.00
0.16
4
M1
46.41
1.75
0.16
5
M2
10.02
0.16
0.00
6
R1
53.20
0.00
8.37
7
R2
92.50
0.00
4.98
8
R3
36.84
0.00
1.09
9
R4
184.89
1.53
0.99
10
R5
44.23
1.86
0.55
11
T1
90.20
3.28
1.97
12
T2
23.21
3.01
0.05
13
T3
11.17
1.15
0.44
14
T4
73.18
3.89
2.35
15
T5
17.35
2.46
0.22
16
D1
8.43
30.10
0.05
17
D2
1.26
0.00
0.05
18
D3
13.74
0.00
0.55

Copepods
0.49
0.16
2.63
1.04
0.00
0.66
2.24
9.96
1.31
0.05
3.83
0.22
0.05
0.44
0.05
0.11
0.11
0.00

Oligochaeta
1.59
0.55
0.22
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.22
0.00
1.37
0.11
0.60
0.27
0.77
0.49
0.27
0.11
0.00
0.11

Taxa abundance (Ind/10 cm2) in August
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Abundance
K1
K2
K3
M1
M2
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
D1
D2
D3

Nematodes Sarcomastigophora
79.86
0.05
47.45
0.44
37.49
0.11
87.14
0.11
60.15
0.16
67.65
0.00
190.70
0.11
56.76
0.05
82.92
0.00
51.61
0.00
71.05
0.77
106.02
1.42
55.01
0.93
36.12
0.05
62.73
0.82
76.68
0.00
10.95
0.05
26.93
0.60

Polychaeta
2.35
0.49
0.55
2.41
1.09
1.92
10.67
1.97
3.34
0.44
3.39
3.50
2.46
4.11
4.21
2.19
0.27
0.82

Copepods
1.97
1.15
0.66
10.07
3.28
0.93
2.30
5.53
3.07
0.16
2.41
3.94
3.34
0.82
3.17
1.92
0.44
0.00

Oligochaeta
0.05
0.05
0.38
0.38
0.11
0.22
0.44
0.16
0.05
0.11
0.55
0.27
0.60
0.05
0.33
1.31
0.00
0.00

16
Appendix 2 Documentation of the research

Fig 1. Nematodes

Fig 3. Copepods

Fig 2. Oligochaeta

Fig 4. Sarcomastigophora

Fig 5. Polychaeta

CURRICULUM VITAE
Writer name is Lusita Meilana, second child from two
and Born on May 2th 1992 at Pematang Tahalo, Lampung.
Father name is Sutiyo from Wonogiri and mothers name is
Dwi Setiya Wati from Boyolali. Sister name is Novita
Sastrawati.
Graduating from State Senior High School 1 Bandar
Sribhawono in 2010 and continued study at Bogor
Agricultural University (IPB) on Department of Aquatic
Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and
Marine Science (FPIK). During become college student, the writer had taken
many activities in academic and non-academic such as Dormitory Scientific Club
(CIA), Achievement School FSLDK, ROHIS, Sahabat KS BERIMAN, Motivator
Organization Senior High School, Student Association of Aquatic Resources
Management (HIMASPER), Biodiversity, forum for Scientific Studies (FORCES),
Student Executive Board Creativity Cabinet (BEM KM IPB), Outgoing Exchange
of AIESEC Official Expansion IPB, Aquatic Ecology Assistant, Ichthyology
Assistant, Assistant of Summer Course Introduction to Tropical Biodiversity from
the Forest to the Sea Tokyo University of Agriculture and Bogor Agricultural
University, Aquatic Productivity Assistant, Observer of Indonesian Young
Changemakers Summit (IYCS), Youth For Climate Camp (YFCC), Runner up
IPB Green Living Movement In Compas Youth Creativity, Leader of PKM Karsa
Cipta funded by DIKTI with title: SPP (Simulator Pencemaran Perairan) Sebagai
Media Sosialisasi Penyelamatan Lingkungan Perairan, Leader of PKM AI funded
by DIKTI with title: “Analisis Hubungan Kualitas Air Dengan Sebaran Biota
Perairan Di Pesisir Segara Menyan Subang Jawa Barat”, top ten finalist LKTA
Jambi University, Green Belt Conservation project presenter at USA Embassy,
paper presenter in ESCA 53 and Ocean & Coastal Management Estuaries and
Coastal Areas in Times of Intense Change (Elsevier) Shanghai China, Paper
presenter at Scientific Meeting of Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan. Finally,
the writer finishes her study as undergraduate with undergraduate thesis “The
Meiobenthos Abundance as Bioindicators of Tangerang Coastal Waters”.