Abstract:
Kuala Tambangan, being an estuary area with high anthropogenic activities,
is prone to water quality issues. To assess its health, bioindicator species
play a crucial role. Histological alterations in fish organs can indicate
environmental pollutants. Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, commonly found
in Kuala Tambangan estuary, is a potential bioindicator species.The study
aimed to evaluate Kuala Tambangan estuary waters' quality using physical
and chemical parameters through the pollution index (PI) method.
Additionally, histopathological assessments of B. pectinirostris' liver and
kidney were conducted. The PI method followed the Government
Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 22 of 2021 Annex VIII
concerning seawater quality standards. Histopathological lesions were
identified using the paraffin method microtechnique, which is considered
the gold standard of toxicity testing. Lesions were scored and compared
descriptively. Results determined PI values of 2.20 and 2.24 for water
quality in two observations during July 2022 and February 2023,
respectively. Mild liver and kidney alterations were characterized by
necrosis, fatty degeneration, inflammation, and congestion. Based on
physical and chemical data, the Kuala Tambangan estuary was classified as
slightly polluted, affirming the potential of B. pectinirostris as a bioindicator
species.
