Effects of turbidity on marine organisms

Natural habitats and coastal ecosystem have been decreasing drastically in Singapore. High coastal activities like dredging, shipping, coastal construction and land reclamation have contributed to sedimentation which modifies the quality of sea water and destroys marine habitats. This results in the decline and diminishes of once commonly found plants and animals as they are being threatened. Most of these plants die or move to a different location. One of the marine organisms that was once abundant and is now disappearing in Singapore is the sea cucumber, Holothuria atra. Literature research elaborates on the characteristics of this marine organism, its habitat and life patterns. Factors such as turbidity, light penetration, dissolved oxygen and temperature that determines the distribution of sea cucumber was investigated. Water quality tests were conducted in along the shorelines of Singapore mainly East Coast and Chek Jawa. East Coast has high levels of coastal and recreational activities whilst there are still conserved marine habitats in Chek Jawa. Results from the water quality tests enforces on the importance of factors leading to poor water quality and its effects on sea cucumbers.Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering