Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Functional Composition of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria in the Oglat Eddaira Lake (South Western Algeria)

Et Al., Sennour

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.443093

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Functional Composition of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria in the Oglat Eddaira Lake (South Western Algeria)

Author

Sennour et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.443093

Abstract

Microalgae have long been used as biological indicators of aquatic ecosystem health worldwide due to their ecological importance and sensitivity to environmental stress. The aim of this study was to identify the microalgae and determine their distribution in Oglat Eddaira (southwest Algeria). Seasonal sampling was conducted at three stations (P1, P2, and P3) from October 2023 to August 2024, covering autumn, winter, spring, and summer periods. The results showed that 32 species of microalgae were distributed across six major taxonomic classes: Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Conjugatophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae. The dominance of Chlorophyceae suggests mesotrophic to mildly eutrophic conditions, with adequate oxygen and light penetration. Cyanophyceae, in contrast, thrived under warm, alkaline, phosphate-rich conditions—especially during the summer. The presence of Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae may indicate fluctuating organic matter inputs and variable turbidity

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