SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF NUTRIENTS AND CHLOROPHYLL-A IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF THE KAPIDAG PENINSULA (MARMARA SEA)

Abstract

This first comprehensive study was carried out on current ecological quality status of the Kapida Peninsula between the years of 2011 and 2012. The samples were collected seasonally from 5 different depths (0.5-30 m) at 3 stations determined from shore to offshore. During the study, temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen levels of the seawater ranged between 7.5-26.0 degrees C, 18.06-35.06 ppt and 2.77-10.33 mg L-1, respectively. Nitrate+nitrite-N (0.01-5.39 mu g-at N L-1), ammonium-N (0.01-0.79 mu g-at N L-1), phosphate-P (0.01-1.48 mu g-at P L-1) and silicate-Si (0.52-21.18 mu g-at L-1) at concentrations were measured, and also chlorophyll-a (chl-a) values ranged between 0.02-4.21 lig L. The chl-a concentration is an important biogeochemical quantity monitored a present pigment in all phytoplanIcton species and, for this purpose commonly used as an index of biomass. In addition, the spatial and temporal patterns of chl-a concentration seawater temperature and nutrients are important oceanographic characteristics with important implications for sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. In autumn-winter months, high chl-a concentration was found along the station 3, and lower values were observed in summer. This high chl-a concentration could be related to the nutrients input from land through rivers discharge and anthropogenic effects.