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Abstract
Anadu,
D.I, A.O. Anoruo and R. Whitmore. 2007. The plankton dynamics of the ACE
(Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto) Basin. JEMREST 3:34-41
DOI:
10.4029/2007jemrest3no14
Preliminary survey of the
indigenous plankton communities of the thermocline zones of the (ACE)
Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers in South
Carolina reveals the presence of the major groups
of plankton in different proportions. The major groups observed were the Chlorophyceae
– the green phytoplankton, the Bacillarophyceae – the silica bearing diatoms
and the Dinophycaeae – that includes the major zooplanktons. The combined
samples from all the sites revealed the presence of twenty one genera of phytoplankton,
seventeen of the diatoms and fourteen of the zooplanktons. Towed samples had
more plankton than point samples. In the Ashepoo site, the dominant planktons
were Gomphosphaeria (40%), Navicula (30%) and Melorisa (20%) on the tow. The
point samples of the Cumbahee were 85% Anabaena and 5% Navicula. Comparative
point samples of the Ashepoo were Anabeana (90%) and Navicula. 2%. The point
samples of the Edisto had the most diverse
and equally distributed plankton: Cyclotella, Fragillaria, Euglena, and Cymballa
dominating. The Edisto zooplankters were
also equally distributed – Cyclops/Nauplius larvae (47%) Surirella (15%) and
Navicula (15%). The full component of the plankton communities is presented
and the implications of the groups in relation to the water quality
parameters and as bioindicator candidates are examined.
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