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<p>Biomass and generic diversity of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) were studied in the near-bottom zone at five stations located in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and in offshore waters during June 2002. The highest protozoan biomass was observed in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and close to the mouth of the Vistula River. Protozoan biomass decreased offshore. In well-oxygenated waters heterotrophic flagellates constituted 39–51%, of the protozoan biomass, ciliates constituted 18–25%, and heterotrophic dinoflagellates 29–39% of the protozoan biomass. These findings confirmed previous studies that showed that a high abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates is a distinct feature of the Gulf of Gdańsk. At one station located in the Gdańsk Deep, where the near-bottom zone was anoxic, the contribution of heterotrophic flagellates decreased to 18% and ciliates’ share increased to 82% of the protozoan biomass. No dinoflagellates were observed in the anoxic zone.</p>
</abstract>

Biomass and generic diversity of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) were studied in the near-bottom zone at five stations located in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and in offshore waters during June 2002. The highest protozoan biomass was observed in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and close to the mouth of the Vistula River. Protozoan biomass decreased offshore. In well-oxygenated waters heterotrophic flagellates constituted 39–51%, of the protozoan biomass, ciliates constituted 18–25%, and heterotrophic dinoflagellates 29–39% of the protozoan biomass. These findings confirmed previous studies that showed that a high abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates is a distinct feature of the Gulf of Gdańsk. At one station located in the Gdańsk Deep, where the near-bottom zone was anoxic, the contribution of heterotrophic flagellates decreased to 18% and ciliates’ share increased to 82% of the protozoan biomass. No dinoflagellates were observed in the anoxic zone.

Communities of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) in the near-bottom zone of the Gdańsk Basin

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Biomass and generic diversity of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) were studied in the near-bottom zone at five stations located in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk...

Communities of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) in the near-bottom zone of the Gdańsk Basin

Published Online: Aug 24, 2011

Page range: 68 - 73

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-011-0031-6

Keywords
heterotrophic protists, protozoa, near-bottom zone, Gdańsk Basin

© 2011 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Communities of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) in the near-bottom zone of the Gdańsk Basin

Published Online: Aug 24, 2011

Page range: 68 - 73

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-011-0031-6

Keywordsheterotrophic protists, protozoa, near-bottom zone, Gdańsk Basin

© 2011 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
heterotrophic protists, protozoa, near-bottom zone, Gdańsk Basin