Patterns of phytoplankton community structure and diversity in offshore finfish cages in the Mediterranean Sea (Monastir Bay, Tunisia, 2018)

The dataset includes measurements of key environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentrations, together with data on phytoplankton composition and abundance. These data can be used to evaluate the influence of aquaculture activities on water quality and phytoplankton dynamics in coastal Mediterranean ecosystems.

Default

IdentificationAbout this resource

Alternate Identifier

10.25607/7asluk

Alternate Identifier

7d70a250-4507-4a60-b5c6-ef778ed38fa2

Alternate Identifier
https://ipt.medobis.eu/resource?r=phytomonastirbay2018
Alternate Identifier

10.25607/tzbgyk

Publication Date
2026-04-27
Title

Patterns of phytoplankton community structure and diversity in offshore finfish cages in the Mediterranean Sea (Monastir Bay, Tunisia, 2018)

Abstract

The dataset includes measurements of key environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentrations, together with data on phytoplankton composition and abundance. These data can be used to evaluate the influence of aquaculture activities on water quality and phytoplankton dynamics in coastal Mediterranean ecosystems.

Dataset Language

ENGLISH

 
Dataset Creator
Dataset Creator
Dataset Creator
Metadata Provider
Associated Party
Associated Party

CUSTODIAN_STEWARD
  HCMR-IMBBC - Dimitra Mavraki (Data manager)

Thalassocosmos, Former American Base

,

Heraklion

,

Crete

,

71003

,

GREECE

https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/
Dataset Contact
Dataset Contact
Keywords (GBIF Dataset Type Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_type_2015-07-10.xml)

  • Samplingevent

Keywords (none)

  • Diversity

  • Toxic microalgae

  • Phytoplankton

  • Species composition

  • Mediterranean Sea

  • Aquaculture

Geographic Coverage

Geographic Description

Sampling took place in the Bay of Monastir (Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia)

Bounding Box

West Bounding Coordinate

10.803

East Bounding Coordinate

11.121

North Bounding Coordinate

35.826

South Bounding Coordinate

35.617

Temporal Coverage

Range of Dates

Begin Date

2018-02-20

End Date

2018-10-26

Taxonomic Coverage

General Taxonomic Coverage

All phytoplankton were identified to genus or species, including dinoflagellates, diatoms, cyanobacteria, and euglenophytes. Silicoflagellates, foraminifera, and ciliates were identified to genus. Zooplankton and bivalve larvae were recorded as broad taxonomic categories.

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Achnanthes

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Alexandrium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Amphidinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Amphidinium carterae

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Amphiprora

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Amphisolenia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Amphora

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Anabaena

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Asteromphalus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Bacillaria

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Bacteriastrum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Biddulphia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Biddulphia alternans

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Cerataulina

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium belone

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium candelabrum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium furca

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium fusus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium incisum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium inflatum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium lineatum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium longipes

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium macroceros

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium massiliense

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium pentagonum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium teres

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratium tripos

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ceratocorys

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Chaetoceros

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Chaetoceros peruvianum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ciliophora

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Climacosphena

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Cocconeis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Cochlodinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Coolia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Coolia monotis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Copepoda

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Coscinodiscus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Cryptophyceae

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Dactyliosolen

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Detonula

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Dictyocha

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Dinophysis caudata

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Dinophysis rotundata

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Dinophysis tripos

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Diplopsalopsis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Ebria

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Euglenophyceae

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Foraminifera

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Fragillaria

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Goniodoma sphaericum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gonyaulax

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gonyaulax digitale

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gonyaulax polyedra

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gonyaulax spinifera

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Grammatophora

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Guinardia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Guinardia delicatula

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gymnodinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gymnodinium breve

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gymnodinium veneficum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gyrodinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gyrodinium fusiforme

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Gyrosigma

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Haslea

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Hemiaulus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Hermissinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Karenia papilionacea

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Karenia selliformis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Karlodinium veneficum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Leptocylindrus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Licmophora

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Lyrella

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Melosira

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Merismopedia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Microcystis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Navicula

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Nitzschia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Nitzschia fontifuga

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Nitzschia longissima

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Noctiluca

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Octactis octonaria

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oscillatoria

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oxyphysis oxytoxoides

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oxyrrhis marina

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oxytoxum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oxytoxum elegans

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Oxytoxum sceptrum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Paralia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Peridinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Pinnularia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Plagiotropis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Pleurosigma

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Podolampas bipes

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Polykrikos

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Pronoctiluca

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum compressum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum gracile

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum lima

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum micans

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum minimum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum rathymum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Prorocentrum triestinum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium claudicans

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium conicum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium curtipes

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium curvipes

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium depressum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium diabolum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium divergens

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium elegans

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium globulus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium minutum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium ovum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium pallidum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium pellucidum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium pyriforme

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium quinquecorne

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Protoperidinium steinii

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Pseudo-nitzschia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Pyrophacus

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Rhabdonema

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Rhizosolenia

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Rhizosolenia robusta

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Scrippsiella trochoidea

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Skeletonema costatum

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Spirulina subsalsa

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Striatella unipunctata

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Thalassionema

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Thalassiosira

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Tintinnopsis

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomic Rank Value

Cyanobacteria

resourceLicensesLicense Information

Intellectual Rights

This work is licensed under a

Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License

.

Resource License

License Name

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

URL
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0.html
Identifier

CC-BY-4.0

 

Distribution

Online

URL
https://ipt.medobis.eu/archive.do?r=phytomonastirbay2018
 

Additional Metadata

Metadata

GBIF Metadata Block

Date Stamp

2026-05-08T00:00:01Z

Citation

Challouf R, Medhioub W, Medhioub M N (2026). Patterns of phytoplankton community structure and diversity in offshore finfish cages in the Mediterranean Sea (Monastir Bay, Tunisia, 2018). Version 2.3. Hellenic Center for Marine Research. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.25607/7asluk accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-05-08.

Bibliography

Medhioub, W., Challouf, R., Laabir, M., Limayem, Y., Bchir, S., Slimeni, W., ... Azaza, M. S. (2023). Potential to produce brown mussel integrated to a net-cage fish farm in a Mediterranean bay. Aquaculture Reports, 31, 101674.

Logo URL
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/fr/8/8e/Logo_de_l%27INSTM_%28Dar_El_Hout%29.gif
 

Project

• Project

Title

Study on the possibilities for exploitation and farming of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna) off the coast of Monastir (Tunisia)

Abstract

Investigating the potential for mussel aquaculture off the coast of Monastir, including assessment of environmental conditions, growth potential, and sustainable farming practices for Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Marine Sciences

and Technologies (INSTM)

Study Area Description

Descriptor

Mediterranean Sea

Design Description

Description

The research tasks within this project were carried out by researchers from the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM). The team was responsible for field sampling, environmental monitoring, phytoplankton identification, and data analysis. Activities included the collection of plankton samples, laboratory identification of phytoplankton taxa, and the evaluation of environmental conditions related to the potential farming of the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna off the coast of Monastir (Tunisia).

 
 

Methods

• Method

Method Step

Description

Seawater temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured directly in situ using an electronic thermometer (LUTRON®BC-4308) and a DO meter (PCE®-WO2 10), respectively. To determine the concentration of SM, 1.5 liters of seawater was collected and filtered on pre-weighed GF/C 0.45 µm filters (WHATMAN®). Subsequently, filters were dried in an oven at 100 ◦C for 24 h and total SM weight (mg L-1) was estimated according to the differential weighing method of Aminot and Chaussepied (1983). Transparency of the water (in meters) was measured using a Secchi Disk as described by Testa et al. (2019). Nutrients (i.e., NO2−, NO3−, NH4+, PO43−, and Si(OH)4) were analyzed with a Bran+Luebbe type 3 auto-analyzer and concentrations were determined colorimetrically, using a UV-visible (6400/6405) spectrophotometer. For Chlorophyll a (Chl a), two liters of seawater were filtered, through 200–250 µm pore size membrane filters to remove large particulate matter and zooplankton. The eluate was filtrated on GF/C 0.45 µm filters (WHATMAN®). Chl a was extracted with 10 ml of acetone 90% for 24 hours at 4 ◦C then the absorbance at two wavelengths (665 µm and 750 µm) were determined before and after acidification using 100 µl of HCL 0.3 M according to Aminot and Chaussepied, (1983). The identification and enumeration of phytoplankton (including dinoflagellate cysts) and the estimate of abundance of the different algal groups were made using an inverse phase microscope based on the Utermohl (1931) and Sournia (1987) methods. The identification of the various phytoplankton taxa was achieved through the determination keys of Trégouboff and Rose (1957), Huber-Pestalozzi (1968) and Balech (1988). Phytoplankton density (expressed in cells l-1) is determined using the following formula:

N = (n*1000)/V

N: Total number of phytoplankton cells contained in one liter

n: number of cells

V: Volume of sedimentation cuve (ml)

Sampling

Study Extent

The study was conducted in the offshore fish farm in Monastir, Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea) from February to October 2018. The project focused on phytoplankton taxa .Water samples

were collected with a 5-L Niskin bottle.

Sampling Description

This study was conducted at a sea bream and sea bass aquaculture farm (35°45.902′ N, 10°55.548′ E) located in Monastir Bay near the Monastir-Kuriates Islands, approximately 15 km from the Tunisian Mediterranean coast, at a water depth of 28 m. The farm has been in operation since 2008. Sampling was carried out at four stations in the offshore waters of Monastir (Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea). Stations S1, S2, and S3 were located within the aquaculture farm, whereas station S4 was situated outside the farm and served as a control site. Sampling was conducted seasonally from February to October 2018. Seawater samples were collected using a 5-L Niskin bottle at three depths (0 m, 15 m, and 25 m). The collected samples were preserved and transported to the laboratory for phytoplankton identification and physicochemical analyses.

qualityControl

Description

Water samples (1 L) to be used for phytoplankton enumeration were preserved with formol solution (3‰) and stored in the dark at 4 °C.Water samples for nutrient analyses (60 mL) were collected and preserved immediately at

− 20 °C in the dark. Water samples for suspended matter analysis were filtered by vacuum

filtration through Whatman GF/C glass fiber filters, and the filters were immediately stored at

− 20 °C.