The characteristics of marine debris and water quality in Palu Bay, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study is aimed at analyzing the marine debris condition in the coastal area of Palu Bay and the correlation of water quality characteristics in the region, such as water temperature, salinity, Total Suspended Solid (TSS), turbidity, BOD₅, COD, N-NH₃, NO₃, and PO₄-P, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The study utilized in situ and ex situ water quality measurement instruments. All measured parameters were compared with those of standard quality established by Indonesian government for tourism and biota. Results revealed that organic marine debris was dominated by seagrass pieces, while the inorganic one was dominated by plastic wastes. The water quality characteristics correlation in December 2019 was 82.4% with main factor 1 (F1) of 65.95%, main factor 2 (F2) of 16.45%, and major characteristics of TSS, turbidity, BOD₅, COD, and salinity. In January 2020, the correlation was 61.92% with main factor 1 (F1) of 37.06%, main factor 2 (F2) of 24.86%, and major characteristics of salinity, and TSS. In February 2020, it was 63.89% with main factor 1 (F1) of 38.31%, main factor 2 (F2) of 25.58%, and major characteristics of PO₄-P and COD. Coastal area and river are major media of waste distribution. Increasing waste volume is potential to negatively influence the coastal and marine system.