3rdInternationalConferencesandWorkshopsonBasicandAppliedSciences2010ISBN:9789791909617

The Limiting Nutriens of Algae Biomass During Dry

Season in Mrica Reservoir of Banjarnegara, Central Java
Agatha Sih Piranti, Sudarmadji, Agus Maryono, Suwarno Hadisusanto
*Biology Faculty of UNSOED Purwokerto
** Geografi Faculty of UGM, Yogyakarta,
***. Engineering Faculty of UGM, Yogyakarta
**** Biology Faculty of UGM, Yogyakarta
1992). Klapper (1991) states that when chlorophyll
concentrations exceed 100 mg/m3 may cause fish
kills due to toxins produced by these algae.

Abstract
A limiting nutrient is a nutrient that is available in
very small amounts needed for algae growth.
Nitrogen and / or phosphorus is the nutrient that
generally a limiting factor algae growth in aquatic
ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to
determine the type of the limiting nutrient of algae
growth in the Mrica reservoir during dry season and
determine the relationship model of that nutrient in
determining the growth of algae in the Mrica
reservoir Banjarnegara during the dry season. The
result were that concentrations of both total
phosphate (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) determined
the growth of algae in the Mrica reservoir during
dry season, however NO3/PO4 (the ratio of
dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus) was more
played as a factor of limiting algae growth. Model
of the relationship between NO3/PO4 and algae
biomass (chlorophyll) was to follow the following
equation: CHLOROPHYLL = 20.14 - 0.9185
(NO3/PO4) + 0.02402 (NO3/PO4) 2 - 0.000196
(NO3/PO4) 3.

The main factors affecting biomass growth of algae

in the waters of the nutrients (N and P) (Horne &
Goldmann, 1994). Fried et al., (2003) stated that
with the supply of nutrients into waters will lead to
the development of certain algae (algae bloom)
from the class of blue-green algae such as
Cyanocacteria which can degrade water quality.
Harper (1992) states that there is a very close
relationship (correlation coefficient R = 0.9)
between the phosphorus content of the biomass of
phytoplankton. Therefore nutrients phosphorus
becomes the limiting factor of growth of algae
(nutrient-limiting factor).
A limiting nutrient is a very small amounts nutrient
that is available in the aquatic environment that
needed to algae growth. Once the limiting nutrient
in a waterbody is exhausted, the population of algae
stops expanding. If more of the limiting nutrient is
added, larger algal populations will result until their
growth is again limited by nutrients or by other
limiting environmental factors. Nitrogen and / or
phosphorus is the nutrient that generally a limiting
factor in algae growth in waters (Florida lakewatch,
2000). However, the availability of N and P
nutrients, algae growth is also determined by the
conditions of supply of light, water mixing
(mixing), water residence time, temperature, and
predation by zooplankton These factors are
complex and interact with each other so that the
results are highly variable reflecting watershed
conditions , land use and management patterns, the
depth of the reservoir, shape and tidal reservoir
conditions (Lawrence et al, 2000).

Key words : limiting nutrient, algal biomass, Mrica

reservoir, dry season
1

Introduction

Algae are a microscopic organisms that have a

chlorophyll to make the process of photosynthesis.
The role of algae in aquatic ecosystems is essential
that as major chains in the food web, which
provides food and oxygen to support life of aquatic
animals. However, sometimes the algae can cause
problems, when there's too much (indicated by
chlorophyll concentration reached 40 mg/m3) that
interfere with light penetration and create anoxic
conditions (no oxygen), especially at night because
the algae also utilize oxygen at night (Harper,

Based on the background and description of the

problem then the purpose of this study was to

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Agatha, The Limiting Nutriens of Algae Biomass During Dry Season in Mrica Reservoir of Banjarnegara,
Central Java

in that period of months there has been rain,

determine the type of nutrient limiting for the
causing a dilution water reservoir so that the
growth of algae in the Mrica reservoir Banjarnegara
concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus either in
during dry season and determine the model of the
the form of particles or dissolved into decline.
relationship between the limiting nutrient and the
Basically at the end of the dry season or early rainy
growth of algae in the Mrica reservoir of
season has been an increased input of nutrients,
Banjarnegara during the dry season.
especially TP DTA. This is evidenced from the
declining value of the ratio NO3/PO4 to obtain the
2 Methodology
exact ratio that can cause the algae to multiply,
causing an increase in algal biomass.
The research was conducted by a survey method in
Based on the results of correlation analysis that the
Mrica reservoir once a month during the dry season
relationship between nutrients and chlorophyll in
in the period March 2009 to February 2010 in
Mrica Reservoir during the dry season showed that
locations as follows: 1) the estuary of the river
all types of nutrients had a negative relationship
Serayu, 2) estuaries Lumajang river, 3) estuaries
with chlorophyll, except for PO4. The summarised
Kandangwangi river , 4) riverine zone, 5) transition
results of the correlation analysis were illustrated in
zone, 6) Middle Reservoir, 7) Floating Net area of
Table 2.
Karangjambe 8) irrigation outlet area, 9) the area
Table 1: The average of nutrients and
near the spillway, 10) the area near the power
chlorophyll concentration in Mrica resevoir
intakes, and 11) Tourism resort area. The nutrient
during dry season
samples were taken using a Grab sampling
technique (sampling technique that not change the
Rata-rata konsentrasi nutrien dan
moment in a specific time period) and composite
klorofil
Nutrien
sampling technique (sampling at the same place
augus sep
with different time intervals). Research variable
jun
jul
t
t
oct
was the concentration of Total Nitrogen (TN), Total
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
TP
Phosphate (TP), orthophosphoric (PO4), nitrate
6.4
6.5
6.8
7.1
4.0
(NO3) and ammonia (NH4). To examine the
NO3
relationship of concentration of nutrients and algal
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
PO4
biomass in the reservoir Mrica, then performed by a
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
correlation analysis and proceed with the test
NH4
correlation coefficient (R) (Hasan, 2004). Types of
32
30
23
21
15
NO3/PO4
nutrients that have a real relationship with the
8.1
7.9
8.4
8.8
5.6
TN
highest degree of relationship with the growth of
KLOROFI
9.1
9.4
9.2
9.1 12.2
algae biomass is the nutrient limiting growth
L
(growth-limiting factor) Mrica algae in reservoirs.
To determine the model of the relationship between
the type of nutrient limiting and algal biomass was
perform by using regression equations between
Table 2: The results of correlation analysis of
each type of limiting nutrient and algal biomass.
the relationship between nutrients and
chlorophyll in the dry season in Reservoir Mrica
3

Result

No

Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) is a nutrient

that is closely associated with fertility status
(trophic status) of a waters caused by human
activities in the catchment area. In the reservoir
ecosystem increased nutrient input into coastal
waters will increase the algae biomass. Chlorophyll
can be used to estimate the magnitude of the
biomass of algae in the waters (Mason,1991 and
OECD, 1982).

Based on the observations of nutrients and

chlorophyll in the reservoirs Mrica during the dry
season (June 2009 - October 2009) showed that TP
and TN concentrations declined in the late dry
season (October) as shown in Table 1. This is due

2
3
4
5

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Correlation
TP

Klorofil
PO4

Klorofil
TN

Klorofil
NO3

Klorofil
NH4

Klorofil
TN/TP Klorofil
NO3/PO4 klorofil

Relationship

(R)
0.441

Negative, moderate /
significant

0.109

Positive, very weak

0.670
0.678
0.206
0.116
0.480

Negative, moderate /
significant
Negative, moderate /
significant
Negative, weak but
definite
Negative, very weak
Negative, moderate /
significant

3rdInternationalConferencesandWorkshopsonBasicandAppliedSciences2010ISBN:9789791909617

Based on Table 2 showed that the relationship

between TP and TN with chlorophyll showed a
moderate or significant. This was indicated as
correlation coefficient (R) of TP - chlorophyll were
0.441 and between TN - chlorophyll were 0.670.
This indicates that both the TN and TP determined
the developments algae biomass in the Mrica
reservoir. To determine whether nitrogen or
phosphorus or both, which acts as the limiting
nutrient then the ratio both TN / TP and NO3/PO4
were calculated before the correlation analysis
between the TN / TP and NO3/PO4 with
chlorophyll were performed. Based on Table 1
showed that the results of correlation analysis
between the TN / TP - chlorophyll showed a very
weak relationship (R = 0116), whereas among
NO3/PO4 - chlorophyll showed a moderate or
significant (R = 480). This mean that the ratio of
dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus or NO3/PO4
ratio was become a more determining factor in
algae growth than the availability of TN and TP in
the form of particles reservoirs Mrica. However,
based on the correlation analysis then was
constructed the regression line and obtained the
algae growth model that follows the equation :
CHLOROPHYLL = 20.14 - 0.9185 (NO3/PO4) +
0.02402 (NO3/PO4)2 - 0.000196 (NO3/PO4)3 as
illustrated in Fig. 1 with a coefficient of
determination (R2) of 44.1%. This meant that the
amount of algae biomass in Mrica reservoirs could
be estimated using the concentration ratio NO3/PO4
accordanced with the equation above with the
confidence level of only 44.1%. The low confident
as likely caused by environmental factors other than
nutrients may become a limiting factors such as
TSS algae growth, water color, flushing rate, and
the presence makrofita.
4

Fitted Line Plot

KLOROFIL = 20.14 - 0.9185 NO3/PO4
+ 0.02402 NO3/PO4**2 - 0.000196 NO3/PO4**3
15

1.20823
44.1%
40.8%

KLOROFIL

13
12
11
10
9
8
7
10

20

30
NO3/PO4

40

50

Figure 1: Plot and regression line of the

relationship between NO3/PO4 and chlorophyll
References
[1] Fried, S., Mackie, B., and Nothwehr, E.,
Nitrate and Phosphate Levels Positively
Affect The Growth Of Algae Species Found
In Pond Ferry. No. 4, pp. 21-24, 2003.
[2] Florida lakewatch, A Beginner's Guide To
Water Management - Nutrients. Department
Of Fisheries And Aquatic Sciences, Intitute
Of Food And Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida, 2000.
[3] Harper, D., Eutrofication of Freshwater.
Chapman & Hall. London. New York. Tokyo.
Melbourne. Madras, 1992.
[4] Horne, A.J. and Goldman, C.R., Lymnology.
Second edition. McGraw Hill, Inc.. New
York, 1994.
[5] Klapper, H., Control Of eutrophication In
Inland Waters. Ellis Horwood. New York.
London. 1991.

Conclutions

[6] Lawrence, I., Bormans, M., Oliver, R.,

Ransom, G., Sherman, B., Ford, P. and
Schofield, N., Controlling Algal Growth
Factor And Composition reservoirs: Report
Of Reservoir Manager's Workshops. National
eutrophication Management Program., 2000.

During dry season concentrations of both nitrogen

and phosphate acted as a nutrient limiting the
growth of algae in Mrica reservoir Banjarnegara.
However, the ratio of dissolved nitrogen and
phosphorus (NO3/PO4) was more acted as a factor
limiting growth of algae biomass in Mrica reservoir
during dry season. The model of the relationship
between NO3/PO4 and algae biomass (chlorophyll)
was as the following equation : CHLOROPHYLL =
20.14 - 0.9185 (NO3/PO4) + 0.02402 (NO3/PO4)2 0.000196 (NO3/PO4)3.

[7] Mason, C.F., Biology of Freshwater Pollution.

second edition. Longman Scientific &
Technical. New York, 1991.
[8] Organization for Economic Cooperation &
Development (OECD), Eutrophication of
Water, Monitoring, Assessment And Control.
Paris, 1982.

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S
R-Sq
R-Sq(adj)

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