Prospective Analysis of Major Phytoplankton Groups in Some Freshwater Bodies in Campeche, Southeastern Gulf of Mexico
Synopsis
A prospective analysis of major groups of phytoplankton and its abundance in some freshwater bodies of the state of Campeche is presented. Water-bottle quantitative phytoplankton samples were taken from seven freshwater bodies (waterholes, rivers, and a lagoon) in March and June 2019 and January 2020 (dry, rainy, and northern wind seasons, respectively). Twelve physicochemical parameters (water temperature, salinity, conductivity, pH, water hardness, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, phosphates, and silicates) were recorded. Phytoplankton was dominated by cyanobacteria (up to 1.08x106 cell/l) in the windy and rainy seasons, followed by diatoms (up to 3.40x105 cell/l) in the rainy season; chlorophytes and euglenophytes were rare. Nanoflagellate and dinoflagellate abundances were on the order of magnitude of 103 to 105 cell/l; both groups showed maximum averages in the rainy season. In general, wider ranges in values of physicochemical characteristics were recorded in the windy season. Water temperature (24.3 to 31.9°C; F=11.30, p<0.005) and pH (6.64 to 8.80; F=2.99, p<0.005) showed seasonality, as did nitrates, ammonium, and phosphates. Phosphate concentrations at five sites exceeded the maximum permissible limit (5 mg/l) of the water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life in the rainy season (up to 69.96 mg/l) and the windy season (up to 71.99 mg/l). They also exceeded the maximum permissible limits (0.1 mg/l) for waters for human use and consumption during the same seasons. Two sites, Ulumal (river) and Zoh Laguna (waterhole), showed strong ammonium contamination (up to 50.1 and 60.8 mg/l, respectively) in the rainy season.
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