Abstract:
Diatoms examination in the body of drowning death was an important procedure in determination of death location. The presence of diatoms found in the lung and the other organs were the intravital sign, proving the victim were alive on the water. Determination of diatoms species could be used as a supportive diagnostic in identifying drowning site by comparing diatoms between the body and water. The aim of the present research was to find out the species and abundance of diatoms in Indragiri river especially at Air Molek area. Samples were taken from three stations which decided purposively in December 2012. The identification of diatoms was done by using a binocular microscope. Species identification were following Masaharu (1977) and Yunfang (1995) guide book. The abundance was calculated following American Public Health Association (APHA).
The results showed that 12 species diatoms were found, namely: Isthmia sp, Aulacoseira sp, Diatoma sp, Melosira sp, Eunotia sp, Tebellaria sp, Gyrosigma sp, Achnantes sp, Fragilaria sp, Pinularia sp, Cocconeis sp dan Campylodiscus sp. Aulacoseira sp and Diatoma sp. Total abundance of diatoms account were 3391 cells/L, with the Diatoma sp were the dominant diatoms in the water which abundance of 1242 cells/L.
