Synchronous blooms of the cocolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and three dinoflagellates in the Dardanelles (Turkish Straits System)

This study focuses on the synchronous blooms of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and three dinoflagellates Prorocentrum micans, Ceratium furca Par. furca and Cerathum fusus var. seta observed between 7 June and 11 July 2003 in the Dardanelles. An analysis of the vertical distribution of the E. huxleyi population size with respect to various environmental parameters was discussed. Additionally, inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton interactions were investigated in relation to the bloom conditions and hydrography of the Dardanelles, The algal bloom started in nearby Izmit Bay (eastern end of the Sea of Marmara) in early June, then quickly spread through the Sea of Marmara and continued until mid-July. Thermal stratification was observed between different water masses at the time of sampling. During the bloom period, cell density of F. huxleyi ranged from 3.58 x 10(7) to 2.55 x 10(8) cells l(-1) in the superficial layer. Prorocentrum micans was the second most-abundant species and the cell numbers ranged from 1.0 x 10(6) cells l(-1) to 3.3 x 10(6) cells l(-1). Other abundant species in this area included C. furca var. furca and C. fusus Par. seta.