Main Article Content

Abstract

The Ebro River discharge is themain factor controlling hydrological dynamics in the Ebro microtidal salt wedge estuary. The aim of this study was to describe the species composition of the periphytic diatom communities, and to elucidate the main environmental factors affecting them. Samples of periphytic diatoms were collected at 8 sites along the estuary in October 2007 and January 2008. The diatom community was sampled both from natural and artificial substrata.Water depth, velocity, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, total chlorophyll and water chlorophyll a, total periphytic chlorophyll, dissolved nutrients (P-PO4 3–, N-NO3 –, N-NO2 –, N-NH4 +, Si-SiO4 4–), total dissolved nitrogen and total dissolved phosphorous were determined in each campaign. Altogether, more than 120 taxa of diatoms were identified. The most abundant genera were Cocconeis, Amphora, Navicula and Tabularia. The variability of the diatom community was analyzed with multivariate analysis methods. Water stratification affected diatom community in both the horizontal and the vertical gradient, according mainly to salinity, dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentration differences.

Keywords

Diatom estuary salt wedge periphyton distribution taxonomic composition Ebro Mediterranean Spain

Article Details

Author Biographies

Laia Torres Rovira, IRTA

PhD student

Aquatic Ecosystems, IRTA

Rosa Pujadas Trobajo, IRTA

Investigator Aquatic ecosystems, IRTA

Carles Marta Ibanez, IRTA

Department Director Aquatic Ecosystems, IRTA
How to Cite
Rovira, L. T., Trobajo, R. P., & Ibanez, C. M. (2009). Periphytic diatom community in a Mediterranean salt wedge estuary: the Ebro Estuary (NE Iberian Peninsula). Acta Botanica Croatica, 68(2). Retrieved from https://www.abc.botanic.hr/index.php/abc/article/view/120