Microphytoplankton community structure in the Gulf of Aqaba and northern Red Sea
El-Sherbiny, M.M.; Al-Hasawi, Z.M.; EL-Hefnawy, M.E. (2025). Microphytoplankton community structure in the Gulf of Aqaba and northern Red Sea. Egypt. J. Aquatic Res. 51(4): 505-516. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2025.09.001
In: Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. Ministry of Scientific Research, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries: Alexandria. ISSN 1687-4285; e-ISSN 2090-3278, more
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| Author keywords |
Microphytoplankton; Diversity; Biomass nutrients; Gulf of Aqaba; Northern Red Sea |
| Authors | | Top |
- El-Sherbiny, M.M.
- Al-Hasawi, Z.M.
- EL-Hefnawy, M.E.
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| Abstract |
Phytoplankton assemblages and species richness were examined with respect to physico-chemical parameters in Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) and northern Red Sea (NRS) during early spring (March 2018). Three stations were selected for the current study in each of the GoA and NRS. Water temperature was significantly lower (p < 0.05) and salinity higher (p < 0.01) in the GoA than in the NRS. Ammonia varied spatially, whereas nitrate, nitrite, and silicate showed vertical gradients. In contrast, phosphate concentration remained uniform. Chlorophyll-a was stable in the NRS but declined from south to north in the GoA. Phytoplankton density in GoA increased from station 1 to 3, whereas NRS densities exhibited minimal change. Chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton density were significantly correlated with temperature (r = 0.57, p < 0.01), while community structure varied spatially as indicated by MDS anlysis. Diatoms dominated some stations, whereas dinoflagellates were numerically dominant in others. Among the 179 phytoplankton species recorded, dinoflagellates accounted for 100 (of which 27 were heterotrophic), diatoms 78, and cyanophytes one. Diatoms (including Chaetoceros spp. and Rhizosolenia spp.) and dinoflagellates (such as Tripos spp. and Protoperidinium spp.) exhibited greater diversity. Three diatom species and seven dinoflagellate species known to cause severe algal blooms worldwide were also recorded from the region. |
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