engleski

Vertical distribution of periphytic diatoms in the karstic Zrmanja River

The small karstic Zrmanja River (69 km long) discharges into central-eastern Adriatic Sea. High oxygen saturation and water transparency, as well as low nutrient concentrations indicated the oligotrophic character of the river. We present taxonomic composition and vertical distribution of diatoms attached on artificial substrate (Plexiglas) in the lower reach of the Zrmanja River, in July 2000. Thirty attached diatoms were determined on Plexiglas plates distributed throughout the 2.5 deep water column. The most frequent (>78 %) and abundant (>10^5 cells cm-2) diatoms were Achnanthes and Fragilaria species. The highest abundances (4.4 x 10^5 cells cm-2) were found at the depth of 0.5 m, while number of taxa increased with depth.

attached diatoms; vertical distribution; Zrmanja River

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