The investigation of planktonic and benthic algae in Pinarbaşi pond (Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş)

In this study, it was aimed to determine planktonic and benthic algae in Pınarbaşı pond (Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş). For this purpose samples were monthly collected from 4 different stations in pond between October 2011 and March 2012 and they were examined. During this research, total 35 algae species were identified. They were 29 belong to Bacillariophyta, 4 belong to Chlorophyta and 2 belong to Cyanophyta. Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are the most important of algae in the Pınarbaşı pond in term of numbers of individuals and the frequencies in bot phytoplankton and phytobenthos. Although diatoms appeared in all stations and all seasons, they reached the highest level in October and March. In addition, it was tried to determine the trophic level of the Pınarbaşı pond by using the chemical and biological data. Key words: Phytoplankton, Phytobenthos, Pınarbaşı Pond, Elbistan