Phytoplankton of The Garzan Dam Lake (Batman)

Abstract

In this study, four sampling stations were selected to determine the algal composition of Garzan Dam Lake, and phytoplankton samples were collected and examined at monthly intervals between December 2013 and May 2014. During the study period, a total of 21 taxa were identified, including 18 taxa belonging to Bacillariophyta, 1 taxon to Cyanophyta, and 2 taxa to Chlorophyta. Among the planktonic algae of Garzan Dam Lake, the most widespread diatom genera were Navicula, Nitzschia, Cymbella, and Gomphonema. Some diatoms were noteworthy as they were recorded only at a single station. Among these diatoms, Cocconeis placentula var. klinoraphis was recorded only at the fourth station; Cocconeis pediculus and Cymbella tumidula only at the first station; Fragilariaforma bicapitata only at the third station; and Tryblionella apiculata only at the second station. The cyanophyte Chroococcus turgidus was observed at the second and fourth stations during the study period, whereas it was not recorded at the first and third stations. In Garzan Dam Lake, the chlorophytes Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Closterium sp. were also recorded. Ankistrodesmus falcatus was found at the first, third, and fourth stations, while Closterium sp. was recorded at the third and fourth stations. The highest relative abundances were observed for Cocconeis placentula (75%) at the first station in May, Aulacoseira granulata (100%) at the second station in February, Nitzschia stellata (84.85%) at the third station, and Nitzschia stellata (87.50%) at the fourth station, also in February.