Relationship of pelagic diatom communities to environmental variables in Aby lagoon system (Ivory Coast)

Abstract

Present study was conducted to determine the pelagic diatoms and factors that influence their dynamics in the Aby lagoon system, southern-central Ivory Coast for one annual survey period (2006-2007). The phytoplankton was collected using a plankton net (mesh size: 20 μm) tied unto a motorized boat and towed slowly for five minutes at 13 different stations. Overall, a total of 69 diatom taxa belonging to 28 genera and three families were recorded. From a generic point of view, 22 taxa were pennates while six were of centric forms. Multivariate analysis showed that there were significant positive and negative relationships (P