The abundance and diversity of phytoplankton at Kuala Terengganu coastal waters, Terengganu

Abstract

The diversity, abundance and distribution of phytoplankton along Kuala Terengganu coastal waters have been sampled from 11 th th until 14 June 2015. The phytoplankton samples have been collected within range 8 - 52 meters from the water surface. Water sample (L) was collected and filtered through 60 µm mesh size plankton net. Filtered phytoplankton sample was concentrated to 150 mL and preserved with 10% formalin solution. Identification of phytoplankton to the genus level and cell counting using Lackey's method was done under light microscope. Calculation was done for density (cells/L), diversity index and evenness index. Phytoplankton density was counted using Lackey's method. About 31 genera were present from all of the sampling samples. Phylum Bacillariophyta was the most abundant. Most of abundant phytoplankton genera present were Trichodesmium, Bacteriastrum, Chaetoceros, Rhizosolenia, Proboscia, Thalassionema, Guinardia, Coscinodiscus and Ceratium.