Environmental Parameters And Razor Clam Fisheries In Asajaya, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

This study was conducted to determine the environmental parameters and razor clam fisheries in Asajaya. Fourteen water quality parameters, namely temperature, pH, DO, salinity, transparency, turbidity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, silicate, orthophosphate, chlorophyll-a, TSS, and BOD5 were measured to determine the environmental parameters in the razor clam production area. Sampling was done at five different stations in September and December 2006 and February and March 2007. The parameter values within those four months ranged from 26.4 to 33.1 °C for temperature, 5.97 to 8.26 for pH, 8.20 to 12.02 ppm for DO, 16 to 28 PSU for salinity, 5 to 63.73 cm for transparency, and 15.35 to 639.33 FTU for turbidity. Nutrients analysis shows concentration range from 0.01 to 0.09 mg/L for nitrate, 0.005 to 0.020 mg/L for nitrite, 0.26 to 2.61 mg/L for ammonia-nitrogen, 1.118 to 1.578 mg/L for silica, and 0.01 to 0.13 mg/L for orthophosphate. Chlorophyll-a concentration values ranged from 1.22 to 12.57 pg/L, while TSS ranged from 0.16 to 1.19 mg/L and BOD5 ranged from 6.51 to 9.83 ppm. Statistical analysis showed that all the environmental parameters were not significantly different among stations. There were significant differences among months except for DO, silica, BOD5, and TSS. Asajaya is among the most productive razor clam area and is due to the ideal environmental condition in the area