Algal assemblages of three Maltese saline wetlands

Abstract

Several aspects of three Maltese coastal wetlands, namely il-Ballut lagoon, l-Ghadira lagoon and Ta' Qassisu pool, were analysed over two wet seasons and one dry season, between September 2004 and October, 2005. The study involved the constant monitoring of benthic and phytoplankton algal communities through the use of the modified Utermohl method and other methods. In addition physicochemical characters of the wetlands were determined and variable abiotic characteristics such as substratum and water temperatures , water depth, salinity, pH, chlorophyll and seston content were monitored. Also, the substratum particle size was determined.