Part of the Biological Oceanography study in the JICA-UPM Project includes the study of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Marine plankton are minute in size, but they play crucial role in sustaining the integrity of the ecosystem and its resources. Phytoplankton and its production form the basis of the energy flow and food chain in the Straits of Malacca. Zooplankton which, directly depend on the primary productivity, in turn controls the productivity of higher aquatic organisms, such as shrimps and fishes. Thus, data on plankton species diversity, biomass and density are important indicators of the marine environment in terms of diversity, health and production. Since the Straits of Malacca is exposed to pollution, both from the land-based and sea-based sources, baseline data on all aspects of oceanography, ecology and pollution are important for holistic planning and management of the Straits and its resources.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the current status on species composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton, their spatial and seasonal distributions and factors controlling their distribution and production.

Activities

Parameters collected from the Straits of Malacca include phytoplankton density, chlorophyll a, zooplankton density and biomass, carbon, silica, soluble reactive phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen. Samples were collected during the Malacca Straits Expeditions in December 1998 (NE monsoon), March-April 1999 (inter-monsoon), October 1999 (inter-monsoon) and August 2000 (SW monsoon). In addition monthly sampling were also conducted in the coastal waters off Port Dickson.

Expected Output

• Taxonomic keys for phytoplankton and zooplankton of the Straits of Malacca.

• Ecological information on tropical marine plankton.

• Use of planktonic organisms as pollution bioindicator.

Researcher