Electronic Theses and Dissertation

ABSTRAK
.
Perairan Utara Aceh merupakan wilayah strategis yang mendukung ekosistem laut dan aktivitas perikanan, namun tekanan antropogenik seperti limbah domestik dan aktivitas industri berpotensi menurunkan kualitas air. Plankton, sebagai bioindikator sensitif, dapat mencerminkan kondisi perairan melalui distribusi dan kelimpahannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis distribusi spasial komunitas plankton sebagai bioindikator kualitas air di Perairan Utara Aceh serta mengidentifikasi hubungannya dengan parameter fisika-kimia perairan. Penelitian dilakukan di 12 stasiun dengan pengambilan sampel plankton dan pengukuran parameter kualitas air seperti suhu, salinitas, pH, DO, TDS, dan kecerahan. Identifikasi plankton dilakukan di laboratorium, sementara analisis spasial dilakukan menggunakan interpolasi kriging dan hubungan antarvariabel dianalisis dengan korelasi Pearson. Hasil menunjukkan ditemukan 20 genus fitoplankton yang didominasi oleh Bacillariophyceae seperti Rhizosolenia sp. dan 4 genus zooplankton, terutama Copepoda dan Rotifera. Kelimpahan tertinggi plankton ditemukan di perairan Lampulo yang diduga disebabkan oleh masukan nutrien dari aktivitas antropogenik. Korelasi signifikan ditemukan antara parameter kualitas air dan plankton, seperti korelasi positif DO dengan fitoplankton (r = 0,53) dan korelasi negatif suhu dengan zooplankton (r = -0,62). Temuan penting lainnya yaitu dominansi Keratella sp. (Rotifera) di perairan laut, yang umumnya ditemukan di perairan payau, serta nilai pH rendah (5,49–6,67) yang tidak lazim untuk perairan laut. Hasil ini menunjukkan pentingnya pemantauan berbasis spasial dalam pengelolaan lingkungan serta perlunya penelitian lanjutan terhadap dampak ekologis pH rendah dan dominansi Rotifera di wilayah ini.
Kata kunci: spasial, korelasi pearson, tekanan antropogenik, indikator lingkungan, kualitas air.

ABSTRACT The Northern Waters of Aceh represent a strategic area that supports marine ecosystems and fisheries activities; however, anthropogenic pressures such as domestic waste and industrial activities potentially degrade water quality. Plankton, as sensitive bioindicators, can reflect water conditions through their distribution and abundance. This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of plankton communities as bioindicators of water quality in the Northern Waters of Aceh and to identify their relationship with physicochemical water parameters. The research was conducted at 12 stations through plankton sampling and measurement of water quality parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), and transparency. Plankton identification was carried out in the laboratory, while spatial analysis was performed using kriging interpolation, and correlations were examined using Pearson analysis. Results showed the presence of 20 genera of phytoplankton dominated by Bacillariophyceae such as Rhizosolenia sp., and 4 genera of zooplankton, mainly Copepoda and Rotifera. The highest plankton abundance was found in Lampulo waters, likely due to nutrient input from anthropogenic activities. Significant correlations were found between water quality parameters and plankton, including a positive correlation between DO and phytoplankton (r = 0.53) and a negative correlation between temperature and zooplankton (r = -0.62). Other notable findings include the dominance of Keratella sp. (Rotifera) in marine waters, typically more common in brackish environments, and low pH values (5.49–6.67) which are unusual for marine ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of spatial-based monitoring in environmental management and highlight the need for further research into the ecological impact of low pH and Rotifera dominance in the region. Keywords: spatial, pearson correlation, anthropogenic pressure, environmental indicator, water quality.