Plankton Studies in the Arabian Gulf II. The Autumn Phytoplankton in the Northwestern Area PDF

Keywords

Arabian Gulf, phytoplankton, Gulf water

Abstract

The study area extends along the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf off Kuwaiti, Saudi and Qatari shores. The species composition and biomass of the phytoplankton in addition to the physical and chemical factors of the Gulf water were followed horizontally and vertically during Nov. 1984. The most characteristic features of the water were the significant low nitrate-phosphate ratio, lack of nutrient balance, and detected high level of oil pollution in some positions. The phytoplankton population was characterized by great diversity of species (223 taxa) and low standing crop. Tight relationship was observed between the physico-chemical parameters and oil pollution in the area, and the diversity of species and biomass of phytoplankton. The studied environmental factors showed variations in the different regions of the investigated area, which were reflected on the phytoplankton population in each region.