STRUCTURE AND TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY OF BENTHIC DIATOM ASSEMBLAGE IN A POLLUTED MARINE ENVIRONMENT (BALAKLAVA BAY, BLACK SEA) *
Journal: Polish Botanical Journal
Year: 2010

The study examined changes in the structure and diversity of benthic diatom assemblages from 16 sampling stations covering ca 0.3 km2 of the bottom of industrially polluted Balaklava Bay (Crimea, Black Sea). We analyzed data on diatom abundance and species richness along with measurements of 15 variables: depth, sediment size structure, TOC, metals (Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Mn) and organochlorine toxicants (PAHs, pesticides, PCBs). Based on cluster and MDS analyses, two groups of stations wer