MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

S.Y. 2011-2012

Relative Abundance of Starfish in

Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City

Researchers:

Arañas, Mary Beth P.

Dapin, Yemie G.

Dugso, Dariel Jade B.

Pagtalunan, Kyla Veronica D.

Rivayle, Doly E.

Acknowledgement

The researchers were helped in the development of this study by the encouragements,

criticism, editing, recommendations and the accommodations of many people.

Heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Solly Namocatcat, the research adviser, for her assistance,

professional guidance, appropriate comments and suggestions, raising precautions and

eventually for educating us towards the success of this project since the very start and this

study.

We are thankful to Mr. Gabriel A. Daison and his group mates in Research for putting

so much time, effort and spirit in helping this project, answering our billion questions and for

being there accepting our queries.

We are forever indebted to our parents for the guidance, understanding, love, moral

and financial support which made the researchers inspired of their everyday lives.

We are thankful to our brothers and sisters for their concerns and moral support and

who shared their time and also who lent their resources for the making of this study.

We were very thankful to our classmates, who also gave some comments,

suggestions, ideas which had been very useful.

Most of all, To God, the author of life, glory and honour be unto Him. For His gift of

knowledge and wisdom, guidance and protection, the researchers were able to sustain the

everyday needs and made the study possible.

i

ABSTRACT

Quantitative data shows that salinity and pH of the sea water provides the difference

on the number of seastars found in one area. Also, with both site samples having nearly

identical averages on the temperature further supports that.

The results of the study further support previous study on the abundance of starfish

conducted by R.G.Crump et.al (1983) on the natural history, life history and ecology of the

two British species of Asterina. This supports the study that seastars can live in sea water

with specific amount of pH which is 8 and salinity with a range of 28-35ppt or specifically on

normal sea water which has a pH of 8 and salinity of 35ppt but in temperature, starfish can

live in either high or low temperature because of its special features.

This leads to the conclusion that physico-chemical parameter affects the number of

starfish present in seawater: the pH of seawater affects the number of starfish, the salinity of

seawater affects the number of starfish and the temperature of seawater affects the number of

starfish.

Based on the results of the study conducted, the researchers concluded the following:

In Site 1, the present species of starfish are Horned Sea Star(Protoreaster nodosus), Serpent

star(Ophiarachna incrassate), Black Brittle Star(Ophiomastix variabilis), Spiny Cushion

Starfish(Culcita schmideliana), Blue Star(Linckia laevigata). While in Site 2, the present

species of starfish are only Horned Sea Star (Protoreaster nodosus) and Black Brittle Star

(Ophiomastix variabilis). The temperature of the water in Site 1 is 29.5 o C while in Site 2 is

30 o C. The salinity in Site 1 is 34.33ppt while in Site 2 is 33.83ppt. The pH level in Site 1 is

7.83 while in Site 2 is 7.2.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Abstract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Methodology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Results and Discussion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Conclusions and Recommendation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Definition of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Bibliography and Webliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Seawater quality varies gradually because it is open to other seas and oceans. Debris

coming water vehicles and land are carried from shore to shore. Nowadays, massive part of

the earth’s water is polluted due to human’s improper waste disposal. Living things are

dependent to their environment like humans and plants to land, birds to the air and wind and

aquatic creatures to water.

Lots of sea organisms are already used as bioindicators of water pollution. A previous

study used starfish as a bioindicator of metal pollution. Metals like Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in

starfish Asterias Rubens (Storelli MM, et al.2005). The result indicates that metal pollution

can affect the color and structure of a starfish.

In this study, researchers are going to determine if the physico-chemical parameter

affects the number of starfish to indicate water pollution. Researchers will compare the

number of starfish in the two stations in the coast of Lower Loboc. This research can help in

the community by making them how whether the physico-chemical parameter affects the

number of starfish or not so that they can reflect and be aware of their reactions in the future

and to motivate them to help our environment.

Objectives of the Study

The study aims to determine the diversity of starfish. The study specifically it aims to:

1. Identify the present species of starfish in both sites.

2. Measure the physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, salinity and pH in

both sites.

3. Determine the relative abundance of each of species of starfish found in both sites.

Scope and Limitation

The study is limited only to the abundance of starfish in the Intertidal Zone in El

Triunfo and Uncle Greg’s beach. This study is only concern to the starfish inside the

intertidal zone in El Triunfo and Uncle Greg’s beach excluding the starfish that are found in

other beaches.

Significance of the Study

The result of the research will inform the people by the current status of the starfish

and the water in the intertidal zone of Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City. With the help of this

research, the people will know if there is a need for them to take action and what action will

the people take because it may alter other marine creatures.

Review of Related Literature

A starfish is a marine invertebrate. Invertebrates make up around about 95% of the

animals in the ocean, so they are the most common major group. Starfish belong to a phylum

or a big group of animals called echinoderms and that include starfish, sea urchins, brittle

stars, sea cucumbers and something called feather star. Starfish are predators, and they’re

probably the most important predator in the shallow ecosystem so the depths where we could

dive or swim. They eat basically anything that they can come across. Their feeding activities

control the whole ecosystem. It comes back to the concept of keystone species. If that species

is affected, it is going to have a disproportionately greater effect on the whole ecosystem

(Lamare, 2009).

The water activity and pH ranges for growth of Glaciecola punicea (a psychrophile)

were extended when this organism was grown at suboptimal rather than optimal

temperatures. No such extension was observed for Gelidibacter sp. Strain IC158 (a

psychrotolerant bacterium) at analogous temperatures. Salinity and pH may be primary

physico-chemical parameters controlling bacterial community development in sea ice (D.S

Nichols et al., 1999).

A genericindex(GI)- the ration of abundance of Achnanthes, occonies and Cymbella,

to that of Cyclofella, Meiosira and Nitzchia- was used to measure changes the diatom

assemblages. GI values correlated well the saprobic index, diatom assembles index,

composite river water quality index and species richness of insects (Jiunn-Tzong Wu, 1999).

The results also showed that the two most important parameters studied that were inversely

related to the invertebrate scores (P.S Hooda, et al., 2006). Previous field and laboratory

studies have identified the alga Labophora variegate as a good candidate for biomonitoring

metal contamination in the New Caledonia lagoon which is subjected to intensive and

extensive metal inputs from land-based mining activities (Laetitia Hedouin et al 2008).

The comparison of mean oocyte diameters, gonodal indices and gonado-somatic

relationships of specimens captured in polluted areas with individuals from unpolluted

reference sites revealed a significant decrease of these parameters with increasing water

pollution. High loads of organic and industrial savage are considered responsible for the

effects of an increasing downriver pollution gradient on the reproductive system of Astyanax

fasciatus. Condition factors showed an inverse relationship, increased significantly in

downriver polluted areas. The declining gonodal indices showed that energy was allocated to

somatic growth. The results of the study recommend the use of A-fasciatus in biomonitoring

essays (Schulz et al 2001).

The inhibitive effects of salinity, in this case, were investigated. The aromatic

compounds were obtained from an oil-servicing firm in Port Harcourt, and the microbial

analysis was conducted on the water samples for the purpose of identification, isolation and

characterization of the Pseudomonos putida. A head-to-head comparison of the degradation

obtained from experiments conducted. The result showed that salinity did not inhibit the rates

of toluene, phenol and benzene in fresh medium was done based on the data degradation rate

of toluene and benzene. However, phenol was significantly affected by salinity. The aromatic

compounds removal from water solution varied depending on the conditions, that is, the type

of compound, the composition of the water solution and the conditions of their exposure. The

results obtained from this investigation was compared with Suietlik et al, (2009) work which

revealed 22 to 28% reduction in aromatic compounds degradation while the present research

shows 45-75% reduction in aromatic compounds under investigation for a period of 2 weeks

(21 days) exposure. The parameters form the bedrock for further improvement of the kinetic

models and also, serve as an outline for possible pilot-scale bioremediation by engineers (C.P

Upaka 2010).

Attempts were made to study and analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of the

water. Various parameters like Temperature, pH, Total suspended solids, and Total dissolved

solids, Alkalinity, Dissolved oxygen, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate, Chloride, Sodium,

Potassium, Phosphate, Fluoride, Total Coli Forms (Pond water) etc. give a picture of quality

parameter in both dug well and bore well water as well as pond water of the town (M.R

Mahananda et al 2010).

METHODOLOGY

Study Area

The Intertidal Zones of El Triunfo and Uncle Greg of Oroquieta City contains many

marine species particularly the starfish. For the study of ecology, the Intertidal Zones of El

Triunfo and Uncle Greg of Oroquieta City is an important model system.

Physico-chemical Parameter

1. Temperature

Laboratory thermometer was used to measure the temperature of the water of site

which was clipped 10 cm below the water. The reading of temperature was recorded after 3

minutes.

2. Salinity

The researcher collected sea water in each quadrat and was brought to the Agriculture

Department in Oroquieta City to be able to determine the salinity using refractometer.

3. pH testing

Researcher describes a substance’s level of acidity using the pH meter. The

researchers collected sea water and dipped it on a pH paper to determine the acidity of the

water.

Biological Sampling

Two stations were sampled in each of the Intertidal zones of El Triunfo and Uncle

Greg using transect quadrat method having 2m x 2m made up of straw. The straw was tied to

a stick connected from one stick to another to form a square and shoved on the

water.

The starfish in each quadrat of two intertidal zones were counted and sample of each species

were taken using bare hands. The collected starfish is placed in a container with enough sea

water and were labeled with its quadrat number.

Identification

Starfish are distinguished according to their taxonomic identification. Researchers

identified them using the sample photos provided by Teresa Zubi (2010).

Experimental Flow

Selection of Sampling Sites

Determination of Physico-Chemical Parameters

Collection of Samples

Identification of Samples

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Researchers measured the temperature, the pH of the water and the salinity of the two

sampling sites.

Table 1. Physico-chemical Parameters of the Two Sampling Site

Site1(Uncle Greg’s Intertidal Zone)

Site2(El Triunfo’s Intertidal Zone)

Q1 Q2 Ave Q1 Q2 Ave

Temperature 29 30 29.5 30 30 30

pH 7.9 7.7 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.2

Salinity 34.7 33.9 34.3 34.2 34 34.1

The data gathered as shown on the table above, revealed:

The average water temperature in Site 1 is 29.5o C while in Site 2 is 30o C. The water

temperatures on both sites are between the normal value range as based on the Marine

Science article from the Marine Bio website (Considering the country’s tropical location).

Average water pH level in Site 1 is 7.83 while Site 2 is 7.2 which are below the

normal pH of seawater which is 7.5-8.5 according to a Marine Science article from the

Marine Bio website. Having higher pH means more concentration of alkaline while lower pH

means acidic which both higher or lower pH value can kill marine life which includes

starfish, thus indicating that the pH value of station 1 is still at its normal value while station

is slightly lower than normal pH level (http://www.marinebio.net/).

Average water salinity of Uncle Greg is 34.33 while in El Triunfo is 33.83 which is

only station 1 was able to reach the normal salinity range, which is 34-35ppt according to

Marine Science article from the Marine Bio website.

Graph 1. The Comparison Between The Average of the Physico-Chemical Parameters in

The Two Sampling Sites

From the data as shown on the graph above, the following have been noted:

The average temperature in Site 1 is lower than in Site 2. The average pH of the water

in Site 1 is higher than in Site 2. In other terms, the water in Site 1 is more acidic than in Site

2. The average salinity in the water in Site 1 is slightly higher than in Site 2.

Table 2. The Number of Starfish Present In The Intertidal Zone of Site 1(Uncle Greg’s Beach

Resort) and Site 2(El Triunfo Beach Resort) in Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City

Starfish 1Horned Sea

Star – (Protoreaster nodosus)

Starfish 2Serpent

star (Ophiarach

na incrassata)

Starfish 3Black brittle

star (Ophiomast

ix variabilis)

Starfish 4Spiny

Cushion Starfish (Culcita

schmideliana)

Starfish 5Blue Star (Linckia

laevigata)Total

Site1 10 5 6 1 1 23

Site 2 3 0 1 0 0 4

Total 13 5 7 1 1 27

To determine the relationship between starfish and its corresponding physico-

chemical parameter, the mean on the three-day data gathering was compared to the data

collected on the period.

The data shown on the table above indicate that salinity and pH of the sea water

provides the difference on the number of starfish found in one area. Also, with both site

samples having nearly identical averages on the temperature further supports that.

The results of the study further support previous study on the abundance of starfish

conducted by R.G.Crump et.al (1983) on the natural history, life history and ecology of the

two British species of Asterina. This supports the study that starfish can live in sea water with

specific amount of pH which is 8 and salinity with a range of 28-35ppt or specifically on

normal sea water which has a pH of 8 and salinity of 35 ppt but in temperature, starfish can

live in either high or low temperature because of its special features.

Table 3. The Relative Abundance of Each Species of Starfish Found In the Intertidal Zone

of Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City

Starfish 1Horned Sea

Star – (Protoreaster nodosus)

Starfish 2Serpent

star (Ophiarach

na incrassata)

Starfish 3Black brittle

star (Ophiomast

ix variabilis)

Starfish 4Spiny

Cushion Starfish (Culcita

schmideliana)

Starfish 5Blue Star (Linckia

laevigata)

RelativeAbundanc

e48.15% 18.52% 25.93% 3.70% 3.70%

The table above shows the following:

The relative abundance of Starfish 1(Protoreaster nodosus) is the greatest among all

the species present in the the two sites in the intertidal zone of Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City

having a relative abundance of 48.15%. Second greatest is Starfish 3(Ophiomastix variabilis)

having a relative abundance of 25.93%. Third greatest is Starfish 2(Ophiarancha incrassate)

having a relative abundance of 18.52%. While the least among the five species found in the

two sites in the intertidal zone of Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City are Starfish 4(Culcita

schmideliana) and Starfish 5(Linckia laevigata) for both having relative abundance of 3.70%.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the study conducted, the researchers concluded the following:

1. In Site 1, the present species of starfish are Horned Sea Star(Protoreaster nodosus),

Serpent star(Ophiarachna incrassate), Black Brittle Star(Ophiomastix variabilis),

Spiny Cushion Starfish(Culcita schmideliana), Blue Star(Linckia laevigata). While in

Site 2, the present species of starfish are only Horned Sea Star (Protoreaster nodosus)

and Black Brittle Star (Ophiomastix variabilis).

2. The temperature of the water in Site 1 is 29.5 o C while in Site 2 is 30 o C. The salinity

in Site 1 is 34.33ppt while in Site 2 is 33.83ppt. The pH level in Site 1 is 7.83 while in

Site 2 is 7.2.

3. The relative abundance of Starfish 1(Protoreaster nodosus) is 48.15%, Starfish 3

(Ophiomastix variabilis) is 25.93%, Starfish 2 (Ophiarancha incrassate) is 18.52%,

both Starfish 4 (Culcita schmideliana) and Starfish 5 (Linckia laevigata) are 3.70%.

RECOMMENDATION

The number of starfish in normal conditions of physico-chemical parameters is a good

sign that the site with normal conditions is good habitat for the starfish. This study has only

investigated the effect of physico-chemical parameter to the number of the starfish. Based

upon the findings of the study, the researchers would like to recommend the following:

1. Further research is required to find out if there is other marine life that is

affected to the signs given by the data.

2. Use other physicochemical parameters to identify the effect of it to the

relative abundance of starfish.

3. Continue the monitoring of physicochemical parameters in the Intertidal

Zone of Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Starfish- any marine invertebrate of the class Asteroidea (phylum Echinodermata) having

rays, or arms, surrounding an indistinct central disk. Despite their older common name, they

are not fishes (http://www.britannica.com). In this study, it refers to the organism collected at

Lower Loboc shoreline.

Physicochemical Parameter- refer to the physical and chemical characteristics and

definition of an object. In this study, physical parameters refer to the water temperature,

salinity and pH.

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