Time and vertical distribution of nutrients in the Saros bay

ABSTRACTTIME AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTIONOF NUTRIENTS IN THE SAROS BAYIn this study, time and vertical distributions of physical parameters and nutrients whichform the first step of food chain and have a important role in the life of organism were researchedbetween March 2002 and April 2003 in the Saros Bay of the in North Aegean Sea, Turkey.Water samples were collected during cruises of the BİLİM-I research vessel in March,May and December 2002, April 2003 in the different depth of nine stations. Nutrients(nitrite+nitrate, phosphate, silicate) were analized using Two Channel Autoanalizyer in thelaboratuary of METU-IMS in Erdemli. Physical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolvedoxygen) were measured in situ by YSI 6600 Multiple Probe. Generally, nutrient concentrations inSeptember 2002 and April 2003 were higher than the other sampling periods. Low nutrientconcentrations in surface layer increased with depth. However, nutrient concentrations in thestations which effected by anthropogenic sources were higher than the other stations.The study was financially supported by TUBITAK and COMU.Keywords: Turkey, North Aegean Sea, Saros Bay, distribution of nutrients, physical parametersII