<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The abundance and distribution of microphyto-plankton and related physicochemical factors were assessed monthly in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea. Sampling was carried out near the entrance, the middle and end parts of the creek. During the course of the present study, the Red Sea was characterized by predominantly oligotrophic conditions. Nutrient concentrations were relatively higher in the end part of the creek compared to the two other study sites. Chlorophyll <italic>a</italic> was also low throughout the year (average: 0.35 ± 0.32 mg m−3), except in May when it showed clear peaks at open-water and middle sites of the creek (1.85 and 1.04 mg m−3, respectively). Phytoplankton abundance followed a similar pattern to that of chlorophyll <italic>a</italic> with considerably higher abundance at these sites in May (3063.27 × 103 and 1082.34 × 103 individuals m−3, respectively). This unusually higher abundance was mostly due to the proliferation of the diatom <italic>Pseudo-nitzschia</italic> cf. <italic>delicatissima</italic> (Cleve) Heiden. Silicate concentrations were statistically significantly correlated with total phytoplankton. A total of 220 phytoplankton species were recorded during the study period (117 diatoms, 99 dinoflagellates and four cyanophytes). Diatoms dominated in the phytoplankton abundance (75%) and were followed by dinoflagellates (20%), while cyanophytes accounted for a minimal proportion. Of all phytoplankton species observed during the study, 21 diatom and four dinoflagellate species were considered as new records for the Red Sea, and two diatom and 14 dinoflagellate species were listed as harmful algal species worldwide.
</abstract>

The abundance and distribution of microphyto-plankton and related physicochemical factors were assessed monthly in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea. Sampling was carried out near the entrance, the middle and end parts of the creek. During the course of the present study, the Red Sea was characterized by predominantly oligotrophic conditions. Nutrient concentrations were relatively higher in the end part of the creek compared to the two other study sites. Chlorophyll a was also low throughout the year (average: 0.35 ± 0.32 mg m−3), except in May when it showed clear peaks at open-water and middle sites of the creek (1.85 and 1.04 mg m−3, respectively). Phytoplankton abundance followed a similar pattern to that of chlorophyll a with considerably higher abundance at these sites in May (3063.27 × 103 and 1082.34 × 103 individuals m−3, respectively). This unusually higher abundance was mostly due to the proliferation of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia cf. delicatissima (Cleve) Heiden. Silicate concentrations were statistically significantly correlated with total phytoplankton. A total of 220 phytoplankton species were recorded during the study period (117 diatoms, 99 dinoflagellates and four cyanophytes). Diatoms dominated in the phytoplankton abundance (75%) and were followed by dinoflagellates (20%), while cyanophytes accounted for a minimal proportion. Of all phytoplankton species observed during the study, 21 diatom and four dinoflagellate species were considered as new records for the Red Sea, and two diatom and 14 dinoflagellate species were listed as harmful algal species worldwide.

Spatio-temporal variation of microphytoplankton communities in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea

Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science

Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The abundance and distribution of microphyto-plankton and related physicochemical factors were assessed monthly in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea. Sampling...

Spatio-temporal variation of microphytoplankton communities in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Mar 21, 2021

Page range: 98 - 114

Received: Aug 15, 2020

Accepted: Oct 22, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oandhs-2021-0010

Keywords
phytoplankton, abundance, distribution, Obhur Creek, Red Sea

© 2021 Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Spatio-temporal variation of microphytoplankton communities in Obhur Creek, the central Red Sea

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Mar 21, 2021

Page range: 98 - 114

Received: Aug 15, 2020

Accepted: Oct 22, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/oandhs-2021-0010

Keywordsphytoplankton, abundance, distribution, Obhur Creek, Red Sea

© 2021 Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
phytoplankton, abundance, distribution, Obhur Creek, Red Sea