File:Fitoplancton del Golfo de Cariaco, estado Sucre, Venezuela.pdf

Phytoplankton was sampled monthly during the lune 1995-May 1996 period, at 16 stations 01' the castern Gulf ol' Cariaco. This arca reccives different wastes. Only chlorophyll and diatoms, dinoflagellates, and total density 01' phytoplankton varied by depth. Only salinity and oxygen showcd horizontal spatial differcl1tiation. Phytoplunkton maxima in November- December, were related with low nitrogenous nutrients and tcmperature, high phosphate, chlorophyl1, and dissolved oxygen. The June-October pelÍod was characterized by high temperature, low oxygen, nutrient conccntrations and phytoplankton abundancc. Overall, phytoplankton aOllndanccswerc low. Diatoms dominated during the sampling period, but microt1agellates and dinot1agel1ates liió occasionally. Phytoplankton density was positively cOlTelated with phosphate and ncgatively wilh nitrogen. In spile 01' the high nlllrient suppJy, phytoplankton growth was limited by a redllced ligh! penetratiol1 relaled to concentrations 01' suspended paIticles.