Nutrients, Chlorophyll a and Phytoplankton in the İskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean) |
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| Authors: | Sevim Polat |
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| Institution: | University of Çukurova, Faculty of Fisheries, 01 330, Balcal?, Adana, Turkey. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. The monthly changes in chlorophyll a , phytoplankton abundance and nutrient concentrations at two stations, one at the inshore and the other at the deep waters of the northern part of ?skenderun Bay, were investigated between 1994 – 1995. The vertical distribution of nutrients and phytoplankton biomass were also studied at the deep station. The concentrations of NO3+NO2-N, PO4-P and SiO4-Si of surface water at both stations were 0.31 – 1.63 µg-at · l-1, 0.08 – 0.60 µg-at · l-1 and 0.50 – 2.7 µg-at · l-1, respectively. The highest concentrations were measured at the inshore station and clear differences were found between the inshore and deep-water stations. Chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.17 to 2.78 µg · l-1 and the highest value was measured in March. At the inshore station, which was affected by land run-off, phytoplankton abundance reached the highest value (21,308 cells · l-1) in October 1995, with a marked dominance of Pseudonitzschia pungens (20,200 cells · l-1). The nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations at the inshore station were higher than those at the deep station. One reason for this is the land-based nutrient input into the coastal area here. In spite of these effects, the bay is not eutrophicated because of circulation events in the northeastern Mediterranean. |
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| Keywords: | Nutrients chlorophyll a phytoplankton ?skenderun Bay northeastern Mediterranean |
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