The distribution of nutrients originating from an intensive shrimp farm in Hurun Bay, Lampung, Indonesia

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Embargoed until 2017-12-31
Copyright: Undu, Muhammad
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Abstract
The impacts of nutrients discharged from intensive shrimp farms on receiving waters and sediments in Indonesia are poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of nutrients originating from an intensive shrimp farm in the adjacent waters and sediments. Samples were collected in February 2011 and August 2011 to represent wet and dry seasons respectively. Sampling involved collecting pond effluent from sluice channels during the shrimp harvest from three ponds. Samples of water and sediments in the bay were collected downstream of the farm outfall at varying distances to seaward. Harvest strategies consistently influenced variations in concentrations of solid nutrients only such as TOC, TSS and chlorophyll a rather than dissolved nutrients measured in the wet and dry seasons. Higher precipitation in the wet season diluted NO2-N, PO4 and TOC which resulted in lower concentrations of these nutrients. Nutrients originating from non-points sources represented 92 and 98% of annual amounts of N and P, respectively. In this study, spatial variations in concentrations of nutrients in waters and sediments were mostly observed in the dry season when shrimp farms were the main source of nutrients entering the bay. The incoming freshwater in the wet season not only transports nutrients, it also dilutes them in Hurun Bay resulting in lower salinity and concentrations of TAN, NO3-N and PO4 observed in the wet season. The hydrology of Hurun Bay affected distribution of nutrients in the sediment as shown by sparse distribution of nutrients in the sediments. Concentrations of nutrients discharged from harvested shrimp pond and in Hurun Bay waters exceeded the concentration thresholds set by the Indonesian Government for shrimp pond effluent and marine biota, respectively. Therefore, improvement in shrimp farm management, such as feeding strategies that reduce waste, become a critical issue at this study site. In addition, better wastewater treatment for non-point sources and shrimp farm effluent before their wastewaters are released to this bay are suggested. Thus, integrated pollution control policies are needed to safeguard water quality of Hurun Bay.
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Author(s)
Undu, Muhammad
Supervisor(s)
Sammut, Jesmond
Beer, Jennifer
Alongi, Daniel
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Publication Year
2015
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
UNSW Faculty
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