Phytoplankton numbers and species at Port Hacking Station and their relationship to the physical environment

Abstract

During 1965-66 the phytoplankton numbers at the Port Hacking 100 m Station varied from below 10 to 2.25 × 10⁴ cells per litre, with maximum numbers occurring in a series of blooms between September and December. The dominant species were Asterionella japonica, Leptocylindrus danicus, Navicula sp., Nitzschia longissima, Rhizosolenia alata, and Rhizosolenia stolterforthii. Statistical analysis showed that abundance was correlated with total phosphorus and oxygen content of the surrounding water, but not with nitrate concentration. Using agglomerative classification techniques a number of phytoplankton communities were distinguished, and these were related to water movements off the Australian coast.