Preventing water pollution

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 144 views

Introduction

The Naborsahan River, located in North Sumatra, is a vital component of the Lake Toba ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of aquatic life. However, the water quality of this river has been a subject of concern due to the increasing levels of pollution and habitat degradation. This study aims to investigate the relationship between water quality and the structure of the fish community in the Naborsahan River, with a focus on understanding the impact of physical and chemical factors on fish diversity.

Methodology

The research was conducted from April to June 2013, using a "Purpose Random Sampling" method with a fishing gear in the form of a base net. The data collected were analyzed descriptively and using multiple linear regression analysis. The study focused on observing the water quality of the Naborsahan River, the structure of the fish community, and the relationship between the index of diversity and the physical and chemical factors of water.

Results

The results of the study showed that there were 8 families, 9 genus, 10 species, and 10,745 individual fish in the Naborsahan River. The relative abundance of Bilih was found to be the highest (98.83%), while goldfish and sword platy had the lowest relative abundance (0.016%). The diversity index obtained ranged from 0.08 to 0.73, with a uniformity index of 0.04 to 0.53, a dominant index of 0.59 to 0.98, and a similarity index of 50% to 89%.

The parameters of water quality measured included temperature (22-25 °C), current velocity (0.24-0.44 m/s), depth (0.62-0.79 m), brightness (0.45-0.76), pH (6.75-7.9), dissolved oxygen (7.1-10.9 mg/l), biochemical oxygen requirements (2.22-8.06 mg/l), chemical oxygen requirements (5.52-6.672), nitrite (0.003-0.005 mg/l), nitrate (0.424-0.584), phosphate (0.039-0.059 mg/l), and turbidity (4,207-16,617 NTU).

Regression Analysis

The results of the regression analysis showed that temperature, pH, current, depth, brightness, DO, BOD5, COD, and turbidity had a high correlation with fish diversity. Meanwhile, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate had the lowest correlation with fish diversity.

Deeper Analysis

The results of this study indicate that water quality in the Naborsahan River has a significant influence on the structure of the fish community. The relative abundance of Bilih indicates that this species is able to adapt to the environmental conditions in the Naborsahan River. However, the low diversity index shows that the fish community in this river is not very diverse, which is likely to be influenced by several factors such as water pollution, habitat degradation, and excessive fishing.

Recommendation

It is essential to make conservation and management of water quality in the Naborsahan River to maintain fish diversity. Some recommendations that can be done include:

Preventing water pollution: through the education and supervision program of industry and settlements around the river.
Protecting habitat: regulates fishing activities and prevent habitat damage such as deforestation around the river.
Water quality monitoring: Perform regular water quality monitoring to find out changes in water conditions and take precautions.

Conclusion

Further research needs to be done to understand in-depth the influence of water quality on the structure of the fish community in the Naborsahan River. This can help in the development of more effective conservation and management strategies to preserve the aquatic ecosystems in this river.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sampling area: The study was conducted in a limited area of the Naborsahan River, which may not be representative of the entire river.
Limited water quality parameters: The study only measured a limited number of water quality parameters, which may not be sufficient to understand the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.
Limited data analysis: The study only used descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, which may not be sufficient to understand the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Increasing the sampling area: To get a more representative sample of the Naborsahan River.
Measuring more water quality parameters: To get a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships between water quality and fish diversity.
Using more advanced data analysis techniques: To get a more detailed understanding of the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of water quality in maintaining fish diversity in the Naborsahan River. The results of this study indicate that water quality has a significant influence on the structure of the fish community, and that conservation and management of water quality is essential to maintain fish diversity. Further research is needed to understand in-depth the influence of water quality on the structure of the fish community in the Naborsahan River.

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between water quality and the structure of the fish community in the Naborsahan River, with a focus on understanding the impact of physical and chemical factors on fish diversity.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study include:

The relative abundance of Bilih was found to be the highest (98.83%), while goldfish and sword platy had the lowest relative abundance (0.016%).
The diversity index obtained ranged from 0.08 to 0.73, with a uniformity index of 0.04 to 0.53, a dominant index of 0.59 to 0.98, and a similarity index of 50% to 89%.
The parameters of water quality measured included temperature (22-25 °C), current velocity (0.24-0.44 m/s), depth (0.62-0.79 m), brightness (0.45-0.76), pH (6.75-7.9), dissolved oxygen (7.1-10.9 mg/l), biochemical oxygen requirements (2.22-8.06 mg/l), chemical oxygen requirements (5.52-6.672), nitrite (0.003-0.005 mg/l), nitrate (0.424-0.584), phosphate (0.039-0.059 mg/l), and turbidity (4,207-16,617 NTU).
The results of the regression analysis showed that temperature, pH, current, depth, brightness, DO, BOD5, COD, and turbidity had a high correlation with fish diversity.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are:

Water quality in the Naborsahan River has a significant influence on the structure of the fish community.
Conservation and management of water quality is essential to maintain fish diversity.
Further research is needed to understand in-depth the influence of water quality on the structure of the fish community in the Naborsahan River.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Limited sampling area: The study was conducted in a limited area of the Naborsahan River, which may not be representative of the entire river.
Limited water quality parameters: The study only measured a limited number of water quality parameters, which may not be sufficient to understand the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.
Limited data analysis: The study only used descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, which may not be sufficient to understand the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Increasing the sampling area: To get a more representative sample of the Naborsahan River.
Measuring more water quality parameters: To get a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships between water quality and fish diversity.
Using more advanced data analysis techniques: To get a more detailed understanding of the complex relationships between water quality and fish diversity.

Q: What are the recommendations for conservation and management of water quality in the Naborsahan River?

A: The recommendations for conservation and management of water quality in the Naborsahan River include:

Preventing water pollution: through the education and supervision program of industry and settlements around the river.
Protecting habitat: regulates fishing activities and prevent habitat damage such as deforestation around the river.
Water quality monitoring: Perform regular water quality monitoring to find out changes in water conditions and take precautions.

Q: What are the potential impacts of climate change on water quality and fish diversity in the Naborsahan River?

A: The potential impacts of climate change on water quality and fish diversity in the Naborsahan River include:

Changes in water temperature and chemistry: Climate change may lead to changes in water temperature and chemistry, which can affect the distribution and abundance of fish species.
Changes in precipitation and runoff: Climate change may lead to changes in precipitation and runoff, which can affect the water quality and habitat of fish species.
Changes in ocean acidification: Climate change may lead to changes in ocean acidification, which can affect the distribution and abundance of fish species.

Q: What are the potential impacts of human activities on water quality and fish diversity in the Naborsahan River?

A: The potential impacts of human activities on water quality and fish diversity in the Naborsahan River include:

Pollution from industrial and agricultural activities: Human activities such as industrial and agricultural activities can lead to pollution of the water, which can affect the distribution and abundance of fish species.
Habitat destruction: Human activities such as deforestation and land conversion can lead to habitat destruction, which can affect the distribution and abundance of fish species.
Overfishing: Human activities such as overfishing can lead to depletion of fish populations, which can affect the distribution and abundance of fish species.