Distribution of total dissolved nitrogen and organic nitrogen in Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu, South China Sea

Abstract

The distribution of nitrogen and organic nitrogen in Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu was studied during Southwest monsoon, Inter-monsoon, and Northeast monsoon. The sampling stations were visited three times from September to December 2006. Fourteen sampling stations were established and the water samples of these stations were taken at mid-depth due to the shallow lagoon area. The first sampling was carried out on 13 September 2006. The mean value of total nitrogen and total organic nitrogen during first sampling were 54.28± 16.88μM and 50.60 ± 16.90μM respectively. The second sampling was conducted on the 12 October 2006. The mean value of total nitrogen and total organic nitrogen during second sampling were 67.06± 13.57 μMand 59.53 ± 13.52μM respectively. The third sampling was carried out on 14 December 2006. In general, the mean value of total nitrogen and total organic nitrogen during third sampling were 76.71 ± 23.37 μM and 65.65 ± 22.49μM respectively. Total nitrogen and total organic nitrogen had showed no significant difference (p> 0.05) among stations during first, second and third sampling.