engleski

Diatoms as component of microphytoplankton in the marine lake Vlaška (Neretva river estuary, eastern Adriatic)

An investigation of the microphytoplankton (MICRO) in the marine lake Vlaška was carried out as segment of an interdisciplinary research project from April 1999-April 2000. The objective was to determine the structure and dynamics of the MICRO to study its importance in the water column. A total of 145 MICRO taxa were identified, 74 diatoms, 58 dinoflagellates, 8 coccolithophorids, 3 silicoflagellates, and 1 euglenophycean, chlorophycean and cyanophycean each were identified. The MICRO communities consisted mainly of diatoms (an annual average of 74%), while dinoflagellates caused outbursts of growth in autumn. Three peaks of MICRO were observed throughout the year. The first peak was in April 1999, the second in August-September 1999, and the third in April 2000. The first peak reflected the intensive development of the diatoms Thalassiosira sp., Cerataulina pelagica, Chaetoceros compressus, Ch. curvisetus, Hemiaulus hauckii and Leptocylindrus danicus that accounted for up to 78% of the MICRO population. The second peak was mostly (>87% of MICRO cell number) made up of Nitzschia longissima and Scrippsiella trochoidea. The third peak belonged to Cyclotella sp. and Ceratium fusus (94% of MICRO). The surface layer showed fresh and brackish water taxa (Asterionella formosa, Fragillaria crotonensis and others), but they were present at background levels. There were 11 rare diatom taxa (<1% of the total number of samples).

diatoms; lake Vlaška; Neretva river estuary

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