| Abstract [eng] |
Heterogeneity of diatom assemblages in the surface sediments of Curonian Lagoon (Lithuanian part) SUMMARY Totally 212 species and varietes of diatoms were indentified in Curonian Lagoon surface sediments (in 2003) and five sediments core (in 2005). Systematically 42 diatom species belong to Centricae class. The pargest specines amount were from genus Navicula – 39, Fragilaria – 21, Achnanthes – 17, Nitzschia – 14, Stephanodiscus – 11, Cyclotella – 11. The total amount of diatoms varied from 7,8 mln. to 43 mln. valves/g in surface sediments and from 6,9 to 43 mln. valves/g in the cores. The largest amounts were found in the Klaipėda Strait. In diatoms assemblages benthic specines prevailed. Their amount reached 46,9 % - 58 % of total diatoms amount in the surface sediments and 38 - 72 %. in the cores. The lagest amount of benthic diatom was found in the Klaipėda Strait. Planktonic diatoms amount varied from 42 to 54 % in the surface sediments and 26 - 62 % in the cores. Lagest amount the largest amount was found in Juodkratė and Klaipėda Strait core. In all sediments samples dominanted brakish - freshwaters water species. Their amount varied from 81,9 to 95,6 % in the surface sediments and 78 – 94 % in the sediments cores. Marine species in all samples formed till 2,3 % and fresh waters specines – no more than 1,98 %. Typical species of eutrophicated waters constituted 40 % of the total number of species. The most abundant species were: Actinocyclus normanii, A. normanii var. subsalsa, Aulacoseira ambiqua, Pseudostaurosira brevistriata, F. construens var. venter, F. pinnata, Navicula capitata, Stephanodiscus neoastreae. Planktonic eutrophic waters diatoms formed the lagest amount of the valves in the sediments. the smallest amount of eutrophic waters spiecies formed benthic spiecies. Most eutrophicated area was Klaipėda Strait area. The largest amount of eutrophic waters diatoms was in the sand with silt and fine sand sediments, according to diatoms assemblages in the sediments. Four distinct Curonian Lagoon zones were distinguished based of diatoms assemblages – northern part, central part, southern part and Nemunas river input part. |
