Investigation of Dynamism of Phytoplankton Diversity and Distribution in Chabahar Bay (In Summer, Winter, Pre and Post Monsoon)

Abstract

The abundance, distribution, biodiversity and species composition of phytoplankton and the concentration of nutrient were evaluated in Chabahar Bay during 2018-2019. Phytoplankton succession is mostly posh by physical factors, nutrient availability, mixotrophy and phytoplankton’s predators. Water sampling was carried out by Niskin water sampler from 9 stations in 6 time periods (pre-monsoon, 2 times in southwest monsoon, post-monsoon and 2 times in summer monsoon). The physical and chemical factors were also recorded. In this study, 114 phytoplankton genus and species belonging to 4 main taxa were identified, of which the most dominant phytoplankton was Dinophyta with abundance of 94%. A significant difference of the density of phytoplankton among sampling months was observed (non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis, p≤0.05). Clear paradox between phytoplankton abundance and nutrient concentration was detected. The results showed that increasing the concentration of nutrients by the autumn resulted in highest number of phytoplankton in winter. CCA Analysis explained about 84% of variations on the phytoplankton density cause by nutrient concentration and dissolved Oxygen.

Keywords

• density
• abundance
• chabahar bay
• phytoplankton
• monsoon