Work

Variability in the Structure of Planktonic Microalgae Assemblages in Water Column Associated withPosidonia oceanica(L.) Bed in Tunisia

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Patterns of phytoplankton in areas with seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) and areas without seagrass were quantified in the coast of Chebba (East of Tunisia). Replicate samples were collected at August 2011, from four stations (separated by 500 of metres). The diversity of phytoplankton was high aroundP. oceanicameadows compared to area without seagrass. A possible explanation to this finding is that water motion and hydrodynamics forces cause leaves agitation allowing the passage of epiphytic species in the water column. Our results also show an increase of abundance of potentially toxic dinoflagellates aroundPosidoniabed such asAlexandrium minitum,Amphidinium carterae,Karenia selliformis,Coolia monatis,Karlodinium veneficum,Ostreopsis ovata,Prorocentrum concavum,P. minimum,P. rathymum, andP. lima. Installation of fish farms onPosidoniabeds should be avoided, not only to preserve this vulnerable habitat, but also to avoid fish contamination by toxic species derived from the resuspension of epiphytic community on seagrass substrata to the water column.

Source: Journal of Marine Biology

DOI: 10.1155/2014/621238

Authors: Lotfi Mabrouk, Asma Hamza, Med-Najmeddine Bradai

Institutions: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax

Language: English

Topic: Marine and coastal plant biology

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $775