Phytoplankton Biomass and Species Composition of Lake Gölbaşı (Hatay-Turkey)

Authors: MEHMET NAZ, MUSTAFA TÜRKMEN

Abstract: Seasonal distributions of phytoplanktonic organisms in Lake Gölbaşı were investigated in samples collected from 2 stations between May, 2001, and April, 2002. At each station, monthly sampling was performed from the surface water. The flora consisted of 41 taxa belonging to Bacillariophyta (24), Chlorophyta (12), Pyrrophyta (2), Cyanophyta (2) and Chrysophyta (1). During the 1-year study period, the most dominant group was Chrysophyta followed by Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Pyrrophyta. The highest numbers of Chrysophyta were observed in both stations in May, 2001, January, 2002 and April, 2002. Bacillariophyta had the highest biomass in both stations, followed by Chrysophyta, Pyrrophyta, Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta. The monthly changes in diversity values were between 0.01 and 0.90. The lowest diversity value was observed in the first station in January, 2001. Lake Gölbaşı has mesotrophic characteristics due to the seasonal distribution of phytoplanktonic organisms. However, it will be necessary to conduct further physical and chemical analyses of the lake water to obtain more detailed information about the trophic status of the lake

Keywords: Phytoplankton, Seasonal distribution, Biomass, Diversity

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