Changes in Benthic Diatom Assemblages Within the Thermal Effluent at Turkey Point, South Biscayne Bay, Florida
Sprogis JM. 1975. Changes in Benthic Diatom Assemblages Within the Thermal Effluent at Turkey Point, South Biscayne Bay, Florida. University of Miami
Few diatom studies of marine littoral waters have been conducted in the tropics. As a part of a comprehensive investigation started in 1968, on the influence of thermal effluent waters on south Biscayne Bay, Florida, a comparative study of the community structure of diatom assemblages on glass slides relative to a thermal gradient was undertaken. A species list of 87 warm brackish water diatoms with accompanying data on temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, was compiled. The seasonal distribution of these species was analysed. It was realized that the more abundant species alone could not be relied on as water quality indicators. Diatom diversity showed an inverse relation with increased temperature. Diversity was lowest at temperatures exceeding 32°C. Chlorophyll a concentrations increased linearly with the average increase of temperature above "ambient" of each station.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Sprogis, Jane
- Date of Issue
- 1975-12
- Publisher
- University of Miami
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Aquatic Sciences, Benthos, Diatoms, Impacts, Power Plants, Thesis, Water Temperature