Impact of al-Najebiya thermal energy power plant on aquatic ecosystem of Garmat Ali Canal. II. monthly differences in abundance and distribution of algae

الملخص EN

Heated effluents, discharged from Al-Najebia electrical power station imposed tremendous impact on availability, abundance and distribution of algae in the Garmat Ali canal was investigated on monthly basis from November 1997 to October 1998.

Area affected by discharge of wastewater was determined and extended to 750 m.

A total of 79 algal species belong to 45 genera were identified.

Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) consist of 59 species, green algae (chlorophyta) 13 species and blue green algae (cyanophyta) 12 species, but only one species was appeared of Euglenophyta and xanthophyta.

Discharge points of cooling water possessed the highest number of species (60 species).

Also, peak abundance in total counts of algal cells was encountered closer to discharge points (5998 cell / cm2) in January.

Diatoms dominated samples followed by blue green algae, green algae.

However, blue green algae dominated others near discharging points particularly during summer months.