TRAPPED SEDIMENT IN SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEM: BINTAN ISLAND

This study attempts to gure out the physical characteristic of water in the surrounding Bintan Island and considers the role of the seagrass ecosystem in trapping sediment transport using model simulation. Field observation was conducted during the rst transitional monsoon to collect the ocean current data and total suspended solids (TSS) at the three observation stations (Pengudang, Teluk Bakau, and Madong). A hydrodynamic ow model was employed to simulate the current pattern and sediment transport. Based on the simulation result, the existence of seagrass meadows in the Pengudang and Madong areas could signicantly trap the sediment and induce sedimentation. Of particular concern, it is predicted that sediment transport in all stations would gradually decrease by about 15% per year throughout 2019 - 2023. This prediction was applied without any further changes in water conditions in Bintan Island so that different results could be potentially gained according to many factors inuencing the movement of sediment