Abstract:
A study aims to understand the types and abundance of periphyton that are
attached in the stem of Eichornia crassipes has been conducted in April – May
2011. The E. crassipes samples were obtained from the littoral zone of the
Limbungan Dam. Sampling were conducted 3 times, once/week at 3 stations.
Water quality parameters were measured, while periphyton types and abundance
were described. Periphyton samples were obtained by spraying the E. crassipes’s
stem surface (5x5) cm2 with aquadest using a plastic sprayer. The periphyton were
preserved with Logol 1% and were identified based on Whitford and Schumacher
(1984), Presscot (1970), Yunfang (1995).
Result of water quality measurements are as follows : temperature 28-
32oC; pH 5; Dissolved Oxygen : 3,46-6,48 mg/L; free Carbondioxide 6,20-8,27
mg/L; Nitrate 0,19 -1,52 mg/L; Phosphate 0,06-0,08 mg/L. There were 24 species
of periphyton present and they are belonged to 4 classes, namely Chlorophyceae
(12 species), Bacillariophyceae (5 species), Cyanophyceae (4 species) and
Euglenophyceae (3 species). The abundance of periphyton are 812 -876 cells/cm2;
Diversity Index (H’) : 4,54-4,55 and Dominancy Index :0,04-0,05. Based on data
obtained, it can be concluded that the water quality in the Limbungan Dam is
good and able to support the life of periphyton.
