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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: 10.4029/2007jemrest3no11
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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