Seasonal variations in the primary productivity and chemical constituents of the algae caulerpa serrulata and enteromorpha sp. from the gulf of Aqaba (Jordan)‎+

Abstract EN

Monthly samples of green algae, Caulerpa serrulata and Enteromorpha sp.

from three sites along the coast of Aqaba Gulf have been taken from February 1989 to January 1990.

Experiments and analysis were performed to follow seasonal changes in the rate of productivity and chemical constituents.

Spatial differences in the primary productivity were not significantly different (P>0.05) in both species.

I'he temporal variations in primary productivity in Caulerpa serrulata and only respiration in Enteromorpha sp.

were significantly different (P<0.01, P<0.05).

Except for respiration, both species showed significant differences in the primary productivity.

The results showed that Enteromorpha sp.

was more productive than Caulerpa serrulata.

Of both species, only Enteromorpha sp.

showed significant variation in the spatial distribution of inorganic carbon, protein and chlorophyll a.

Except for ash and inorganic carbon in Caulerpa serrulata, all other chemical constituents showed significant temporal variations, while in Enteromorpha sp.

only carbohydrates, lipids and chlorophyll a were significantly different.

The C/N ratio suggests that Caulerpa serrulata has a higher nutritive value than Enteromorpha sp.