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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(7)

Quantum yield of the marine benthic microflora of near-shore coastal Penang, Malaysia

A. McMinn A C , S. Sellah B , W. A. Wan Ab. Llah B , M. Mohammad B , F. Md. Sidik Merican B , W. M. Wan Omar B , F. Samad B , W. Cheah B , I. Idris B , Y. K. Sim B , W. S. Wong B , S. H. Tan B and Z. Yasin B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Box 252-77, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.

C Corresponding author. Email: andrew.mcminn@utas.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 56(7) 1047-1053 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF05007
Submitted: 17 January 2005  Accepted: 20 June 2005   Published: 3 November 2005

Abstract

Benthic microalgal communities often contribute more than 30% of the primary production of shallow coastal and estuarine areas. At Muka Head Penang (Pulau Pinang) and the Songsong Islands (Pulau Songsong), Kedah, Malaysia, high concentrations of suspended solids and phytoplankton biomass (10.6 mg Chl a m−3) has reduced water clarity such that the euphotic zone of these areas is less than 2 m and 3 m deep respectively. The benthic microalgal communities, which were composed of the diatom genera Cocconeis, Fragilaria, Paralia and Pleurosigma, had a low biomass, had low maximum quantum yields (0.325 ± 0.129), were poorly adapted to their light environment and were constantly light limited. These characteristics suggest that the benthic microalgal communities were likely to have made only a minor contribution to the total primary production of the area.

Extra keywords: microphytobenthos, phytoplankton, sediment.


Acknowledgments

Andrew McMinn would like to thank the staff and students of the Muka Head Marine Research Station, Penang.


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