Distribution and abundance of phytoplankton in Hormuzgan province, Hormuz Strait and the Persian Gulf waters

Distribution and density of different phytoplankton groups in Hormuzgan province along the Persian Gulf, from Sirik Harbor to Nayband Bay were studied during winter 2004. Sampling was carried out on board of Ferdous-1 research vessel in seven transects (21 stations) in three lines including surface layer (0-20m), middle and bottom layers (20-50m and more than 50m, respectively). We found 46 genera of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), 19 genera of dinoflagellates, 6 genera of blue-green algae (Cyanophyceae), 1 genus of Euglenophyceae and 1 genus of Chrysophyceae. We recorded maximum and minimum phytoplankton density in different transects at 37665583 and 2433208 cells/m3 respectively. The maximum density was 62762083 cells/m3 for Bacillariophyceae group that was sampled in surface layer (0-20m) of the station 9. Also, we found that average total number of phytoplankton in three lines of seven transects was 11728973 cells/m3. One way ANOVA showed a significant difference for average number of phytoplankton for each transect (P0.05)