On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, a Field Work Practice (PKL) activity focusing on Marine Diatom Sampling and Preservation was successfully conducted at Blue Lagoon Beach, Jalan Pantai 71050, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The activity involved Laboratory Assistant Muhammad Adam Muhammad Rasib and six 2022 Aquaculture students from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (Unair) — namely Tirsa Ruthdita Puspita Sari, Mercia Meixi, Lintang Fitrasasi Maharani, Edo Rizky Pratama Rajagukguk, Ahmad Hasrum, and Arka Samsul Dzakiy. This field activity was part of an international academic collaboration designed to study the diversity and abundance of marine diatom phytoplankton. Sampling was carried out between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM local time, led by the laboratory assistant and students working collaboratively under field supervision.
The sampling method used was the horizontal water sampling technique, which is commonly applied in marine plankton research. A plankton net with a mesh size of 20 µm and diameter of 21 cm was used to collect samples. The plankton net was cast approximately one meter into the water before being retrieved carefully to ensure sufficient concentration of plankton within the sample. The concentrated seawater samples were then transferred into sterile sample bottles for preservation. Each sample bottle was carefully labeled with detailed information including sampling location, date, and time, ensuring traceability and consistency in laboratory analysis.
Following the collection process, sample preservation was conducted immediately in the field to prevent cellular degradation or morphological changes in diatoms. The preservation was achieved by adding 1% Lugol’s iodine solution to each sample bottle, a standard method for maintaining phytoplankton structural integrity. All procedures adhered strictly to the Standard Operational Guidelines for Marine Phytoplankton Observation and Analysis, ensuring scientific accuracy and reliability in both collection and preservation steps.
The fieldwork was completed smoothly, with no weather or technical disruptions, resulting in a series of high-quality samples ready for further analysis at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Selangor, Malaysia. Subsequent laboratory analysis identified at least 13 species of marine diatom phytoplankton, with the most abundant species being Nitzschia navis and Guinardia striata. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of marine microalgae diversity and provide valuable insights for future ecological and oceanographic studies under the Unair–UKM collaboration framework.
Through this field experience, FPK Unair students not only strengthened their technical competencies in marine biology and sampling methodology, but also enhanced their cross-border academic collaboration skills. The activity served as a real-world application of theoretical knowledge and reaffirmed Unair’s commitment to preparing students for global research engagement in the field of marine and aquatic sciences.
