IMIS - Marine Research Groups

During the month of August 1989, three 24 cycli were conducted in the Gazi creek, Kenya. Every 4 hours, seston samples (10L of surface water) were taken at the banks of the creek. The samples were analysed for chlorophyl, POC, dry weight and phytoplankton concentrations. The samples for primary production were in-situ incubated. It was generally observed that the litoral-benthic phytoplankton species were dominant in the phytoplankton composition. The pelagic diatoms and the freshwater species Scenedesmus sp. were continuously present in an almost constant low concentration. The concentration in chlorofyl a, POC, dry weight and phytoplankton decreased with increasing water levels. At the sampling location, the ratio chlorophyl a/dry weight and the comparison between chlorophyll a - primary production and phytoplankton concentration demonstrated a limited interaction at the contact area between the creek and the mangroves.