Sains Malaysiana 47(5)(2018): 883–891

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4705-03

Seasonal Variability and Fractionation of P-Based Nutrients in Sungai Setiu Basin,Terengganu, Malaysia

(Variasi Bermusim dan Fraksinasi Nutrien Berasaskan P di Lembangan Sungai Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia)

YET YIN HEE¹, SUHAIMI SURATMAN^1,2*, NORHAYATI MOHD TAHIR^1,3 & TIMOTHY JICKELLS⁴

¹Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

²Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

³School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

⁴Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, U.K.

Received: 8 August 2017/Accepted: 23 December 2017

ABSTRACT

A seasonal study of phosphorus (P)-based nutrients was carried out in Sungai Setiu basin which is located in the southern region of the South China Sea (Malaysia) from July 2010 until June 2011. Parameters measured were dissolved inorganic P (DIP), dissolved organic P (DOP) and total particulate P (TPP). In addition, DOP concentration was size fractionated into high molecular weight (HMW, 0.7 μm-100 kDa), middle MW (MMW, 100-30 kDa) and low MW (LMW, <30 kDa). The results show that the mean concentration of P-based nutrients ranged between 3.2-7.0 μg/L P for DIP, 5.6-12.1 μg/L P for DOP and 9.2-119.4 μg/L P for TPP. Higher mean concentrations of P were recorded at urban and agricultural areas. In addition, the distribution of P was affected by season as higher mean concentrations of P were observed during the north-east monsoon due to the surface runoff of nutrients during this heavy raining season. The fractionation study of DOP further revealed that HMW fraction was abundant in Sungai Setiu, making up approximately 60% of the total DOP. This high percentage of HMW DOP was recorded at stations in the vicinity of agriculture area and towns suggesting an important contribution from anthropogenic activities. The LMW DOP fraction was not significantly associated with chlorophyll-a, suggesting that the phytoplankton might not be the predominant contributor for LMW fraction in this river. We suggest that these organic nutrient inputs should be monitored as part of the management of the aquatic system.

Keywords: Fractionation; monsoon and non-monsoon seasons; seasonal variability; P-based nutrients; tropical area

ABSTRAK

Kajian variasi nutrien berasaskan fosforus (P) telah dijalankan di lembangan Sungai Setiu yang terletak di kawasan selatan perairan Laut China Selatan (Malaysia) dari Julai 2010 hingga Jun 2011. Parameter yang diukur ialah tak organik terlarut P (DIP), organik terlarut P (DOP) dan jumlah partikulat P (TPP). Tambahan lagi, kepekatan DOP telah difraksikan mengikut saiz kepada berat molekul tinggi (HMW, 0.7 μm-100 kDa), MW sederhana (MMW, 100-30 kDa) dan MW rendah (LMW, <30 kDa). Keputusan menunjukkan kepekatan purata nutrien berasaskan P berjulat antara 3.2-7.0 μg/L P untuk DIP, 5.6-12.1 μg/L P untuk DOP dan 9.2-119.4 μg/L P untuk TPP. Kepekatan purata P adalah tinggi di kawasan perbandaran dan pertanian. Taburan P juga dipengaruhi oleh musim dengan kepekatan purata P adalah tinggi semasa monsun timur-laut disebabkan kehadiran nutrien larut lesap permukaan semasa musim hujan yang lebat. Kajian fraksinasi DOP seterusnya mendedahkan bahawa fraksi HMW adalah banyak di Sungai Setiu, merangkumi lebih kurang 60% jumlah DOP. Peratus HMW DOP yang tinggi direkodkan di stesen yang berhampiran dengan kawasan pertanian dan bandar yang mencadangkan sumbangan penting daripada aktiviti antropogenik. Fraksi LMW DOP tidak mempunyai hubungan yang bermakna dengan klorofil-a, bermaksud fitoplankton mungkin bukan penyumbang utama untuk fraksi LMW di sungai ini. Kami mencadangkan input organik nutrien ini seharusnya dipantau sebagai sebahagian daripada pengurusan sistem akuatik.

Kata kunci: Fraksinasi; kawasan tropika; variasi bermusim; musim monsun dan bukan monsun; nutrien berasaskan P

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*Corresponding author; email: miman@umt.edu.my