Nutrient status and plankton of nearshore water area of Kronotsky Gulf in August 2015

Abstract

Firstly we carried out a hydrological and hydrobiological study of the nearshore area, at a depth up to 15 m of Kronotsky Gulf (Kronotsky Reserve, Kamchatka). We have shown that the washout from rivers influences significantly the hydrochemical status of nearshore areas. This parameter determines the level of organic and mineral forms in the compound of phosphorus and nitrogen pools and the content of iron in sea water. The hydrochemical status (particularly – the content of organic compounds) influences the structure of phytoplankton. Diatoms dominate in the locations with relatively high concentrations of mineral forms of phosphorus and nitrogen. In locations with an increased level of these elements in the contents of organic compounds, heterotrophic dinophytes and rotifers dominate. Lists of species of phyto- and zooplankton and their quantitative assessment are presented.

Keywords

• biogenic status
• Kamchatka
• Kronotsky Gulf
• Kronotsky Reserve
• nearshore area
• plankton