Relationship between parameters and pollution status in the coastal waters of Eretan, Indramayu Regency, West Java

The Eretan coastal waters, located in the northern part of Indramayu Regency, West Java, Indonesia, receive input from surrounding river flows, particularly from the Cimanuk and Cipunagara river basins. These river basins are subject to limited management in terms of pollution control, which poses potential threats to coastal community activities, including fishing. This study aims to analyse the relationship among water quality parameters and to identify the pollution status within the Eretan coastal waters. The research was conducted during both the rainy and dry seasons across six sampling locations, comprising three river mouths and three coastal water areas. Data analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed seasonal variation in the interrelationship of water quality parameters. Pollution Index (PI) values indicated stable conditions during the dry season, ranging from 3.71 to 3.79, whereas values during the rainy season were more fluctuating, ranging from 1.65 to 6.01. The study concludes that water quality conditions in the study area are influenced by seasonal variation. Pollution status tends to remain stable in the dry season, categorized as lightly polluted, while during the rainy season, pollution levels fluctuate between lightly to moderately polluted. The water quality parameters that show a correlation with pollution status are TSS, turbidity, salinity, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.