Evaluation of Water Suitability for Sustainable Seaweed (Kappaphycus Alvarezii) Cultivation to Support Science Technopark in North Kalimantan

Tarakan dry seaweed production increased during 2012-2018 for the cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii with the longline planting method. This study aims to assess the quality of the waters and their suitability for seaweed cultivation on the coast of Tarakan Island. The environmental parameters of water quality measured were chlorophyll-a, water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, TDS, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, water depth, current velocity, protection, research location, and distance between settlements. The study was conducted with in-situ and ex-situ measurements based on APHA (2012). Water samples were taken using the multi-parameter Horiba U51. chlorophyll-a was analyzed using spectrophotometric methods, nitrate levels were analyzed using SNI 06-6989.79-2011, while phosphates were analyzed using SNI 06-6989.31-2005. The suitability of the waters is divided into 4 classes, S1 (very suitable), S2 (suitable), S3 (marginally suitable), and N (not suitable). The results showed that the coast of Tarakan Island has 3 categories, namely marginally suitable (S3) 13.20%, suitable (S2) 86.50%, and very suitable (S1) 0.30%. The existing condition of the coastal waters of Tarakan Island supports the cultivation of K. alvarezii seaweed. Tarakan Island coastal existing condition as an areal support seaweed cultivation K. alvarezii with the potential to be developed land area of 33896.73 ha.Produksi rumput laut kering Tarakan mengalami peningkatan sepanjang tahun 2012-2018 untuk budidaya Kappaphycus alvarezii dengan metode tanam rawai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai kualitas perairan pesisir di sekitar Pulau Tarakan dan untuk mengetahui kesesuaiannya untuk budidaya rumput laut. Parameter lingkungan untuk menentukan kualitas air adalah klorofil-a, suhu air, salinitas, pH, DO, TDS, kekeruhan, nitrat, fosfat, kedalaman air, kecepatan arus, proteksi, lokasi penelitian dan jarak antar pemukiman. Penelitian dilakukan dengan pengukuran in-situ dan ex-situ berdasarkan APHA (2005) menggunakan multi parameter Horiba U51 juga, klorofil-a dianalisis menggunakan metode spektrofotometri, kadar nitrat dianalisis menggunakan SNI 06-6989.79-2011 sedangkan fosfat dianalisis menggunakan SNI 06-6989.31-2005. Kesesuaian perairan dibagi menjadi 4 kelas, S1 (sangat sesuai), S2 (sesuai), S3 (sesuai marginal), dan N (tidak sesuai). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pantai Tarakan memiliki 3 kategori yaitu menurut marginal (S3) 13,20%, Sesuai (S2) 86,50%, dan Sangat Sesuai (S1) 0,30%. Kondisi eksisting pesisir Pulau Tarakan mendukung sebagai areal budidaya rumput laut K. alvarezii dengan potensi lahan untuk dikembangkan seluas 33896.73 ha