| In spring 1993 phytoplankton samples were taken along the longitudinal salinity gradient of the estuaries of the Elbe, Schelde and Gironde. A minimum in phytoplankton abundance, biomass and diversity was observed in the inner to upper reaches of all estuaries, suggesting massive mortality in these zones. Due to a combination of high turbidity and high river runoff, phytoplankton of the Gironde estuary differed in species composition and had lower cell abundancies and biomass compared with Elbe and Schelde. Phytoplankton structure and biomass of the polyhaline reaches of the Elbe and Schelde were quite comparable. They were characterized by the diatoms <i>Skeletonema costatum</i> and several <i>Thalassiosira</i> spp. and most... |
