Assessment on trophic status of Nha Trang bay using environmental and phytoplankton based indices

Huynh Thi Ngoc Duyen; Nguyen Thi Mai Anh; Nguyen Chi Thoi; Tran Thi Le Van; Phan Tan Luom; Nguyen Ngoc Lam; Doan Nhu Hai

doi:10.15625/0866-7160/v37n4.7423

Author affiliations

Authors

Huynh Thi Ngoc Duyen University of Natural Sciences, National University of HCMC
Nguyen Thi Mai Anh Institute of Oceanography, VAST
Nguyen Chi Thoi Institute of Oceanography, VAST
Tran Thi Le Van Institute of Oceanography, VAST
Phan Tan Luom Institute of Oceanography, VAST
Nguyen Ngoc Lam Biology, Taxonomy, Dinoflagellates
Doan Nhu Hai Institute of Oceanography, VAST

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7160/v37n4.7423

Keywords:

Environment indicator, phytoplankton, trophic status, Nha Trang bay

Abstract

Ten year data of environment and phytoplankton community structure were used to calculate trophic status indices of Nha Trang Bay. The two indicating groups, environmental and phytoplankton based indices, were different and varied in time. Both TRIX (4.3-5.9) and TSI (28.5-53.1) indices indicated Nha Trang Bay was in oligotrophic to mesotrophic status. However, trophic diatoms index, TDI (1.4-5.0) indicated high frequency of mesotrophic and eutrophic status of the waters. Ratios of centric to pennate diatoms (C/P, both in species number and in abundance) frequently indicated eutrophic status (>2.0) of the waters. Correlation matrix showed possitive relationships amongst environmental and phytoplankton based indices. The present study suggested that phytoplankton ratios, Dia/Dino-N and C/P-N indices, are applicable in assessing trophic status of coastal waters. The TDI index, however, is needed for further studies to be applicable for coastal waters.