Algal Distributions in a Hot Spring of Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

algae, Saudi Arabia, hot springs

Abstract

The distribution of algae along the length of Tanoumah Hot Spring located north of Buraydah, Al-Qaseem is described. The orifice of the spring has a temperature of 60°C. The spring is neutral with high sodium, calcium and chloride content. A decreasing temperature gradient of 60-27°C extends from the orifice to the end of the spring where a shallow pool used for irrigation is formed. The total number of species of identified algae was 71 (37 Cyanophyta, 24 Chlorophyta, 10 Bacillariophyta). Some are new records for Saudi Arabia. Algal growth first appeared at a temperature of 56°C. The blue-green alga that dominated between 56-45°C was Synechococcus lividus. Below 45°C to the end of the spring blue-green algal mats mainly of Oscillatoria boryana and Oscillatoria geminata were dominant. Green algae and diatoms were observed, particularly at the spring periphery, where the temperature fell gradually to 25°C.