An overview of harmful algal blooms and eutrophication in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia

Abstract Algal blooms have been occurring in Jakarta Bay for twenty years. However, recently the occurrence of algal blooms, their harmful effects, and their duration have been intensified. Algal blooms have devastated the marine environment, caused fish mortality, and been detrimental to local tourism, local fishing, and other industries along the coast. It comes to speculation that the increase of anthropogenic activity from surrounding areas is taking a toll on the environment. So, this research aimed to study the recent rise of algal blooms in Jakarta Bay and the possible anthropogenic links, mainly through cultural eutrophication, to the increasing occurrence of red tides and their impact. Observation has been conducted to study the dynamic of algal blooms concerning eutrophication and the existing seasons. Collecting samples were performed using a canonical plankton net from 2008 until 2015. The results showed that the abundance of phytoplankton ranged from 40.90 x 106up to 1699.10 x 106cells.m−3. The highest quantity of cells was observed in May 2010 between rainy to dry seasons. There is evidence that the reported increase in frequency and magnitude of algal bloom events in Jakarta Bay is linked to cultural eutrophication. The recent exponential growth of the city may be a contributing factor in the increasing intensity of algal blooms. The cultural eutrophication of coastal waters increased, leading to the intensity and frequency of algal bloom.