THE CONDITION OF CORAL REEFS IN WEST BANGKA WATER

Bangka Island is well known as the world’s largest tin producer. The inland and offshore tin mining has profound effects on the coastal environment, resulting in the high sedimentation in the water. Many corals suffered physiological damage due to low light intensity. The distribution of stony corals and the status of coral reefs was surveyed at 6 sites in West Bangka waters in October 2012. A total of 72 species of corals belonging to 33 genera and 12 families were found, and 4 species were distributed at all research sites. The live coral coverage was 36% on average and was categorized as being in fair condition. The coverage was 0% at Kamboja Island where the corals were the most affected by tin mining. The sediment flowed out from tin mining, blocked the light, and settled on the corals’ surface. Consequently, many corals were buried and the live corals decreased. It is obviously necessary to reduce and control the tin mining.