title: Phytoplankton dynamics in the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat, Red Sea): a simulation study of mariculture effects.
abstract: The northern Gulf of Aqaba is an oligotrophic water body hosting valuable coral reefs. In the Gulf, phytoplankton dynamics are driven by an annual cycle of stratification and mixing. Superimposed on that fairly regular pattern was the establishment of a shallow-water fish-farm initiative that increased gradually until its activity was terminated in June 2008. Nutrient, water temperature, irradiation, phytoplankton data gathered in the area during the years 2007-2009, covering the peak of the fish-farm activity and its cessation, were analyzed by means of statistical analyses and ecological models of phytoplankton dynamics. Two datasets, one from an open water station and one next to the fish farms, were used. Results show that nutrient concentrations and, consequently, phytoplankton abundance and seasonal succession were radically altered by the pollution originating from the fish-farm in the sampling station closer to it, and also that the fish-farm might even have influenced the open water station.
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Biology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laiolo
authors.affiliation: Environmental Systems Analysis Lab (LASA), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.barausse@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barausse
authors.affiliation: The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Zvy
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dubinsky
authors.affiliation: Environmental Systems Analysis Lab (LASA), Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Biology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goffredo
authors.affiliation: The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Yury
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kamenir
authors.affiliation: Marine Science Station, Aqaba, Jordan.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Al-Najjar
authors.affiliation: The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel. Electronic address: iluzda@mail.biu.ac.il.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iluz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005398:Fisheries; D005399:Fishes; D005843:Geography; D019156:Indian Ocean; D007557:Israel; D007597:Jordan; D058086:Microalgae / Q000502:physiology; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000502:physiology*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D014873:Water Pollutants
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants
keywords: Aqaba; Coastal pollution; Coral reefs; Eilat; Fish farm; Phytoplankton dynamics