Guntur's Dissertation: Engineering Coral Reef Habitat in Sendang Biru
Coral reefs have many important roles in coastal and
marine environment, both in terms of biology and ecology, as well as biota. Today the
reef is under pressure due to pollution, destructive fishing gear, and el nino, which
caused the bleaching of coral reefs. Cumulatively, the pressure has damaged nearly
70% of Indonesian reefs. Rehabilitation of coral reefs is one of the right efforts and
techniques of artificial reefs.
It was submitted by Ir. Guntur, MS in his dissertation, entitled "Artificial Reef Habitat
Engineering (Artificial Reef) in the Coral Reef Ecosystem Restoration Efforts at
Sendang Biru." Dissertation opens exam is conducted on Tuesday (13/07) in the UB
Post-Graduate building.
Promoters of the dissertation are Prof.Dr.Ir.Soemarno, MS; Prof.Ir.Marsoedi, Ph.D.;
and Prof.Ir.Sukoso, M. Sc, PhD. While the panel of examiners consisting of
Prof.Dr.Ir.Diana Arfiati, MS; Dr.Ir.Handayani, MS; Agung Permana, M. Sc, Ph.D;
and Prof.Ir.Ambariyanto, MSc.PhD.
Research conducted by Guntur is reviewing the technology of artificial reef habitats
with zeolite type materials, different shapes and depths can provide optimal growth on
reefs as a function of the recovery effort and the role of coral reefs. He is also trying
to find artificial reef material that is best for the growth of corals, knowing the
formula, shape, and depth is good for the growth of this type of zeolite and silicate.
Research conducted by the Guntur conducted in the waters of the famous Sendang
Biru Malang Selatan. He discovered, the form and content of zeolite affects the
growth of coral that grow on the artificial reef. The best coral growth occurs on
artificial coral reef ball-shaped containing a high zeolite of around 13.64%. The best
coral growth occurs at a depth of 3 meters with an artificial ball-shaped coral reef.
Environmental condition of water at that depth is very supportive with the
temperature 27C - 28C. Ball coral reef Form is best because the percentage of coral
cover and the highest growth. In addition, the shape of reef ball capable of adapting to
environmental conditions with which deflect the flow through it, with conditions
attached flanula reef and grow well on artificial reef in a protected section of ocean
currents.
According to Guntur, prior to his research there were no researchers who use zeolite
media as artificial reef material. This has become one of the benefits in terms of
renewal of the research. On this basis, he suggested that the zeolites are potentially
used as artificial reef material.
Thunder, who was born in Semendo, South Sumatra, 5th June 1958. He is a lecturer at
the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, UB. After defending his dissertation in
front of the examiner, he earned a doctoral degree, agricultural sciences, coastal and
marine environmental interests. He obtained 3.89 GPA and graduated with very
satisfying predicate. [Fjr]