Sains Malaysiana 42(10)(2013): 1493–1499

Variations of Planktonic Chlorophyll-a in Relation to Environmental Factors in a Mediterranean Coastal System (Iskenderun Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea)

(Variasi Klorofil-a Plankton Berhubung dengan Faktor Alam Sekitar di Sistem Pantai Mediterranean (Teluk Iskenderun, Timur Laut Laut Mediterranean)

S. Polat* & T. Terbiyik

Faculty of Fisheries, Çukurova University, 01330, Balcali, Adana, Turkey

Received: 14 April 2013/Accepted: 12 May 2013

ABSTRACT

Chlorophyll-a is one of the most widely used parameters to estimate trophic state of an aquatic environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the planktonic chlorophyll-a concentrations in relation to environmental parameters in the east part of Iskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean Sea). Monthly measurements of chlorophyll-a and inorganic nutrients were done on two transects at 6 stations across the Bay. In addition, variations in temperature, salinity and some meteorological factors were also investigated, their correlation with chlorophyll-a were analyzed. The highest chlorophyll-a concentration (3.8 μg L^-1) was found on coastal transect nearer to the bay. The first peak in chlorophyll-a occurred in May, a second smaller peak was recorded in September. The correlation of chlorophyll-a was significantly positive for Silicate-Si and Nitrate+nitrite-N but not important for Phosphate-P. No dramatic increase in chlorophyll-a levels was encountered in the area during the study period. It was concluded that, due to the hydrodynamic structure of the area, the land-based effects influence chlorophyll-a dynamics.

Keywords: Chlorophyll-a; dinorganic nutrients; eutrophication; İskenderun Bay; northeastern Mediterranean

ABSTRAK

Klorofil-a ialah salah satu daripada parameter yang digunakan secara meluas untuk menganggar keadaan trofik bagi suatu persekitaran akuatik. Tujuan kajian ini ialah untuk mengkaji perubahan kepekatan dalam klorofil-a plankton berhubung dengan parameter alam sekitar di bahagian timur Iskenderun Bay (Timur laut Laut Mediterranean). Pengukuran bulanan klorofil-a dan nutrien tak organik telah dibuat pada dua transek di enam stesyen merentasi Teluk. Tambahan pula, variasi dalam suhu, saliniti dan beberapa faktor metereologi juga telah dikaji dan korelasinya dengan klorofil-a telah dianalisis. Kepekatan klorofil-a tertinggi (3.8 μg L^-1) telah didapati pada transek terdekat dengan teluk. Mercu pertama dalam klorofil-a berlaku pada bulan Mei, mercu kedua yang kecil telah direkodkan pada bulan September. Korelasi klorofil-a adalah positif secara signifikan bagi Silikat-Si dan Nitrat+nitrit-N tetapi tidak penting bagi fosfat-P. Tidak berlaku peningkatan yang mendadak dalam aras klorofil-a semasa tempoh kajian. Adalah dirumuskan bahawa oleh kerana struktur hidrodinamik kawasan itu, kesan bersandarkan daratan telah memberi kesan kepada kedinamikan klorofil-a.

Kata kunci: Eutrofikasi; klorofil-a; nutrien tak organik; Teluk İskenderun; timur laut Mediterranean

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*Corresponding author; email: sevcan@cu.edu.tr