IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON PHYTOPLANKTON IN A COASTAL MARINE ENVIRONMENT

IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON PHYTOPLANKTON IN A COASTAL

MARINE ENVIRONMENT

BY
FATMA A. ZAGHLOUL*,
·National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Anfoushy, Alexandria – Egypt.
Key Words: Marine Pollution, Hydrobiology; Eutrophication-Phytoplankton diversity
ABSTRACT
The phytoplankton community structure was studiedfor a year cycle in a
polluted area (Kayet Bey region), Alexandria, Egypt. Monthly and regional
variations ofthe physico-chemical characteristics were studied and correlated
with variations ofthe species composition ofthe phytoplankton community.
The Shannon-Weaver diversity reflects an inverse relationship to the degree
ofdominance ofthe main species andwith the magnitude ofthe standing crop.
A simple mathematical equation describing the dependence ofdiversity on the
variations ofspecies dominance is given.
The phytoplankton-zooplankton distribution illustrated an inverse
relationship between them during the dtfferent months.
Multiple regression equation of both phytoplankton standing crop and
diversity were computed to quantify them in relation to the most correlative
environmentalfactors.
Results indicate that Kayet Bey region attained high level of water
eutrophication, due to domestic pollution. Several species were recorded as
indicators of eutrophication. The magnitude of the phytoplankton standing
crop was significantly high (236 x 103 unit. I-I) compared to other areas ofthe
Mediterranean Sea.