THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLID (TSS) AND CORAL REEF GROWTH (CASE STUDY OF DERAWAN ISLAND, DELTA BERAU WATERS)

Abstract

Total suspended solid (TSS) is one of the water quality parameters and limiting factor affecting coral reef growth. In this study, we used the algorithm of TSS= 3.3238*e(34.099* Green band) (where green band is reflectance band 2) to extract TSS from Landsat satellite data. The algorithm was validated with field data. Water column correction method developed by Lyzenga was used to map coral reef. The result showed that the coral reef area in Berau waters decreased significantly (about 12,805 ha or around 36 % ) from the year of 1979 to 2002. The most coral reef reduced area was detected around Derawan Island (about 5,685 ha). Further, some areas changed into sand dune. TSS concentration around Delta Berau and Derawan Island increased aproximately twice from 15- 35 mg/l in 1979 to 20-65 mg/l in 2002. The increase of TSS concentration was followed by the decrease of coral reef area.