Monitoring of phytoplankton on coast of Ténès (Algeria)

Abstract

Marine phytoplankton consists of all the microalgae. Large blooms of some species occur regularly, sometimes forming colored waters. The species in question are in most cases harmless, but some of them produce toxins. At the beginning of the bathing season of 2016 (May and June), water samples were collected at the level of three sites on the coast of Ténès at a rate of twice a month. TRIX index was evaluated to assess the trophic status of coastal waters. It revealed an average state at the three sites during the study period. Moreover, the phytoplankton community of the coastal zone of Ténès has been observed minutely under the microscope. No planktonic blooms were recorded. The results showed toxic Pseudo-nitzschia during the month of May at two sites without exceeding the toxicity threshold.