Studi Karakteristik Oseanografi pada Ekologi Terumbu Karang dalam Menunjang Ekowisata di Perairan Barat Daya Pulau Tomia, Wakatobi

Abstract

Perairan barat daya Pulau Tomia merupakan wilayah yang masuk Kawasan Taman Nasional Wakatobi dengan potensi sumberdaya berupa terumbu karang berbentuk gugus terumbu karang. Kajian mengenai kondisi parameter oseanografi menjadi aspek penting guna mengetahui kondisi lingkungan perairan barat daya Pulau Tomia dan merupakan langkah awal untuk menunjang ekowisata  serta melengkapi data yang masih minim sebagai sumber referensi atas kajian kelayakan aktifitas ekowisata di perairan tersebut. Parameter yang diamati terkait kesesuaian perairan di barat daya Pulau Tomia meliputi: arus, gelombang, kedalaman perairan, kecerahan, suhu, salinitas, pH, DO, dan kondisi substrat dasar perairan. Tujuan penelitian ini: (1) mempelajari karakteristik fisik kimia oseanografi, dan (2) menilai kesesuaian perairan barat daya Pulau Tomia sebagai kawasan ekowisata berdasarkan parameter fisik kimia oseanografi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai rata rata kecepatan arus 0,34 m/s, gelombang 0.91 meter, kedalaman perairan 14.25 meter, kecerahan 2.8 meter, salinitas 32.962 ‰, pH 7.79, suhu 29.1⁰C, dan DO 14.4 mg/l. Dari hasil pengamatan karakteristik oseanografi menunjukkan skor sebesar 76,47%, berarti termasuk kategori “Cukup Sesuai”.

Southwest Tomia Island are an area that is included in the Wakatobi National Park area with a potencial value in the form of coral reefs. The study of the condition of oceanographic parameters is an important aspect to determine the environmental conditions of the waters southwest of Tomia Island and is the first step to supporting ecotourism and completing the data as a reference source for the feasibility study of ecotourism activities in these waters. Parameters observed related to the suitability of the waters in the southwest of Tomia Island include: currents, waves, water depth, brightness, temperature, salinity, pH, DO, and the condition of the bottom substrate of the waters. The aims of this research: (1) to study the physical and chemical characteristics of oceanography, and (2) to assess the suitability of the waters of southwest Tomia Island as an ecotourism area based on the physical and chemical parameters of oceanography. The research method used is quantitative. The results showed that the average value of the current velocity was 0.34 m/s, the wave was 0.91 meters, the water depth was 14.25 meters, the brightness was 2.8 meters, the salinity was 32.962 ‰, the pH was 7.79, the temperature was 29.1⁰C, and the DO was 14.4 mg/l. From the observation of oceanographic characteristics, it shows a score of 76.47%, meaning that it is included in the "Sufficiently Appropriate" category.