The Relationship between Total Suspended Solids and Total Organic Matter and Phytoplankton Abundance in the Waters of Bayur Bay, Padang City, West Sumatra

Abstract

Phytoplankton, as primary producers in water, play an important role as food for various marine organisms. Primary. Primary producers are one of the factors that determine a body's fertility level. TSS contributes to turbidity by limiting light penetration for photosynthesis and visibility in waters. Organic material in marine waters is material derived from living organisms or the result of decomposition, such as food debris, organic waste, and microorganisms. Organic matter at certain levels is a pollutant that pollutes waters. This research aims to examine the total concentration of suspended solids, total organic matter, and abundance of phytoplankton in the waters of Teluk Bayur, Padang City, West Sumatra. Sampling was carried out in April 2025 through a survey method to determine research stations by purposive sampling. To see the relationship of total suspended solids and total organic matter to phytoplankton abundance, a multiple linear regression test was performed. The total concentration of suspended solids ranges from 10.6 to 15.67 mg/L. The total concentration of organic matter ranges from 27.808 - 33.917mg/L. There are 10 species of phytoplankton from the class Bacillariophyceae. Phytoplankton abundance ranges from 15,383.60 – 19,184.25 ind/L. The results of the linear regression test showed that the coefficient of determination for total suspended solids and total organic matter accounted for 55.88% of the variation in phytoplankton abundance. The relationship between total suspended solids, total organic matter, and phytoplankton abundance was 0.607, indicating a strong relationship (0.51-0.75).