69
Abstract
The knowledge of the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton and microphytobenthic communities
is needed to monitor the state and evolution of coastal ecosystems, their overall functioning and
structure, and through understanding mechanisms, which promote successions within phytoplankton
and microphytobenthos populations, which can be estimated as the productive capacities of the
studied environments.
The objective of this study is to explore the diversity of phytoplankton, including microphytobenthic,
and to identify the differences that may exist between the two populations that colonize the EastAlgerian coast (Tamentfoust).
Our work consists in characterizing and making an inventory of phytoplankton and
microphytobenthos during the spring period from 22 May to 04 June 2021 where we took samples on
eight
stations
with
two
benthic
and
pelagic
levels.
The results obtained show that there is a diversity of 168 species grouped mainly in,
Bacillariophyceae with a percentage of 59.7%, Dinophyceae (32.9%), and other less represented
groups that are classified as Miscellaneous (7.4%).
The comparison between the two stands reveals that the cell density of Bacillariophyceae collected
on benthic sediments is higher (4320 cells/L) than that of the water column (3440 cells/L). Unlike
Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae are much denser in the water column (2440 cells/L) than on benthic
substrates (1840 cells/L).
Shannon Index calculations show a higher microalguale species richness in the benthic stand. While
the Simpson‟s index values confirmed the previous findings, so to speak, the phytoplankton and
microphytobenthic stands identified in the study site are balanced and diverse.
Keywords: Phytoplankton, Microphytobenthos, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Tamentfoust, east
coast of algiers
Abstract
The knowledge of the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton and microphytobenthic communities
is needed to monitor the state and evolution of coastal ecosystems, their overall functioning and
structure, and through understanding mechanisms, which promote successions within phytoplankton
and microphytobenthos populations, which can be estimated as the productive capacities of the
studied environments.
The objective of this study is to explore the diversity of phytoplankton, including microphytobenthic,
and to identify the differences that may exist between the two populations that colonize the EastAlgerian coast (Tamentfoust).
Our work consists in characterizing and making an inventory of phytoplankton and
microphytobenthos during the spring period from 22 May to 04 June 2021 where we took samples on
eight
stations
with
two
benthic
and
pelagic
levels.
The results obtained show that there is a diversity of 168 species grouped mainly in,
Bacillariophyceae with a percentage of 59.7%, Dinophyceae (32.9%), and other less represented
groups that are classified as Miscellaneous (7.4%).
The comparison between the two stands reveals that the cell density of Bacillariophyceae collected
on benthic sediments is higher (4320 cells/L) than that of the water column (3440 cells/L). Unlike
Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae are much denser in the water column (2440 cells/L) than on benthic
substrates (1840 cells/L).
Shannon Index calculations show a higher microalguale species richness in the benthic stand. While
the Simpson‟s index values confirmed the previous findings, so to speak, the phytoplankton and
microphytobenthic stands identified in the study site are balanced and diverse.
Keywords: Phytoplankton, Microphytobenthos, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Tamentfoust, east
coast of algiers