A study of phytoplankton diversity and abundance in Kerteh River, Terengganu

Abstract

The study of abundance and diversity of phytoplankton was conducted at Kerteh River, Terengganu. Eleven stations at the estuary of Kerteh River were selected for sampling area. Sampling has been done twice on 2010, which is on the April and October. Samples were collected by using water pump and filtered with 20µm plankton net at the depth of0.5m. Physical parameter of water such as DO (Dissolved oxygen), salinity, temperature and pH were also recorded. Samples were preserved in 5% formalin and brought back to the laboratory for further analysis and identification. Phytoplankton identification and counting were done by using Lackey's drop method. Phytoplankton abundance was expressed as cells per litre. Diversity and evenness index was calculated. The sample was classified to the lowest taxon as possible. Phytoplankton from 28 genera from 6 different phyla were identified. Diatoms were the most abundant group of phytoplankton in this study. Chaetoceros spp was the most abundant species found on the first sampling while Coscinodiscus spp in the second sampling. Both species come from the phylum Bacillariophyta.