DISTRIBUTION OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN THE SOUTHWESTERN AREA OF ALEXANDRIA (ABU-QIR BAY), EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

National Institute of Oceanography and fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract

Phytoplankton samples were collected during February, April and June 2004 at fourteen stations. Phytoplankton community represented by 117 species within 66 genus from five groups (Bacillariophyceae; Dinophyceae; Chlorophyceae; Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae). There were some fresh, brackish, and marine species. Bacillariophyceae was the most dominant group (71 species) contributing 94.2% of the total phytoplankton counts. The phytoplankton community is generally more productive at stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 that receiving discharge water from El-Tabia pumping station (Stations 1, 2, 3 and 4)  and Lake Edku (St. 5). A gradual decrease was seen in phytoplankton density seawards. The major phytoplankton peak was observed at most stations during June (average 5535 x 103 unit.L-1). Skeletonema costatum was the most dominant species; it was formed 51.3%, 41.3% and 60.4% of the total phytoplankton, respectively during February, April and June. The effect of discharge water was more pronounced at St. 4 in front of El-Tabia pumping station. Species diversity index displayed narrow temporal and spatial variations from 1.02 to 2.85 nats. Throughout the bay, station 3 sustained the lowest diversity index (1.38 nats), while station 14 recorded the highest value (1.95 nats).

Keywords

References

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