ABSTRAKTeluk Kotania di Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat memiliki potensi besar untuk pengembangan budidaya rumput laut, namun keberlanjutannya sangat bergantung pada kualitas lingkungan perairan baik secara fisik, kimia, dan biologi. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis parameter kualitas air yang mendukung budidaya rumput laut di wilayah tersebut. Pengambilan data dilakukan pada bulan Mei 2025 di 12 stasiun penelitian, meliputi parameter fisik, kimia, dan biologi melalui pengukuran in-situ dan uji laboratorium. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar parameter kualitas air seperti suhu (29,63–30,04 °C), salinitas (33,46–33,85 ppt), pH (7,06–7,65), kecerahan (6–18 m), oksigen terlarut (9,12–12,38 mg/l), COD (5,20–10,70 mg/l), dan BOD (3,40–8,70 mg/l) masih berada dalam kisaran optimal dan di bawah ambang batas baku mutu. Kecepatan arus tercatat antara 3,60–24,34 cm/detik, sementara kedalaman perairan berkisar antara 6–24 meter. Konsentrasi nitrat (0,015 mg/l) dan klorofil-a (0,18–3,73 µg/l) tergolong rendah, mengindikasikan kondisi perairan oligotrofik. Sebaliknya, ortofosfat tercatat cukup tinggi (0,0–0,18 mg/l) di beberapa lokasi, diduga akibat aktivitas antropogenik. Secara keseluruhan, hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa Teluk Kotania masih layak untuk pengembangan budidaya rumput laut berdasarkan parameter kualitas air secara fisik, kimia, dan biologi.Kata Kunci: kualitas air, rumput laut, Teluk Kotania, budidaya lautABSTRACTKotania Bay in West Seram Regency has great potential for developing seaweed culture, but its sustainability is highly dependent on the quality of the aquatic environment, both physically, chemically, and biologically. This study aims to analyze water quality parameters that support seaweed culture in the area. Data was collected in May 2025 at 12 sampling stations, covering physical, chemical, and biological parameters through in-situ measurements and laboratory analysis. The results indicate that most water quality parameters such as temperature (29.63–30.04 °C), salinity (33.46–33.85 ppt), pH (7.06–7.65), transparency (6–18 m), dissolved oxygen (9.12–12.38 mg/l), COD (5.20–10.70 mg/l), and BOD (3.40–8.70 mg/l) are within optimal ranges and below the regulatory thresholds. Current velocity ranged from 3.60–24.34 cm/s, and water depth varied between 6–24 meters. Nitrate (0.015 mg/l) and chlorophyll-a (0.18–3.73 µg/l) levels were low, indicating oligotrophic conditions. Conversely, orthophosphate concentrations were relatively high (0.0–0.18 mg/l) at several locations, likely due to anthropogenic activities. Overall, the analysis suggests that Kotania Bay remains suitable for seaweed culture based on its physical, chemical, and biological water quality parameters.Keywords: water quality, seaweed, Kotania Bay, marine aquaculture
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