Seasonal change of phytoplankton at Hat Pak Meng, the Andaman Sea

Authors

  • Orathep Muresare Ramkhamhaeng University
  • Siriluck Rongprakhon
  • Supphakarn Phoaduang
  • Rattanawadee Niamsiri
  • Wanlaya Klinthong
  • Atchaneey Boonprakob
  • Manoch Wongsuryrat
  • Thamasak Yeemin
  • Makamas Sutthacheep

Keywords:

phytoplankton, Andaman Sea, diatoms, abundance

Abstract

Phytoplankton is a very important food source for economically important marine organisms, particularly bivalves. However, ecological studies of phytoplankton in Thai waters are quite limited. The seasonal variation of phytoplankton in coastal areas is related to several physicochemical and biological factors. This study aimed to examine the seasonal variation on composition and abundance of phytoplankton at Hat Pak Meng beach, Trang Province, the Andaman Sea. Sampling was carried out during dry (February, March and April) and a rainy season (September, October, November), using a standard 20 μm mesh plankton net with a mouth diameter of 30 cm, equipped with a flow meter, by horizontal hauls during day time. Thirty-one different taxa of phytoplankton were recorded. The dominant phytoplankton groups in the dry season were Coscinodiscus sp., Chaetoceros sp. and Protoperidinium sp., while in the rainy season the last was replaced by Ceratium sp. The fluctuation in rainfall regimes induces changes in physicochemical and biological factors which lead to seasonal variation of the composition of phytoplankton taxa.

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Published

2021-12-31

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2018): September- December

Section

Original Articles

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