2014 Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages 100-104
Bang-tabun Bay, the estuarine area is situated close to the Phetchaburi river mouth, Phetchaburi Province. Petchaburi River flows in the west of the Kingdom and exits into the Gulf of Thailand. This research study was conducted with sample collection of aquatic environmental quality from September 2011 to May 2012. The results indicated the increasing level of NH4+, NO2-+NO3-, Si(OH)4 and PO43- in this area, which lead to the phytoplankton bloom phenomenon, thus, implied the mesotrophic to eutrophic status of the area. Three phyta and 54 genera of phytoplankton were discovered in the river mouth. The dominant groups were diatoms (Thalassionema), cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium), and dinoflagellates (Ceratium). In this study, Ceratium was classified to be the dominant group. Analysis of DIN:P and Si:P molar ratios of surface water were applied to examine the factors influencing the abundance of phytoplankton in the estuarine systems. Thus, the change of phytoplankton abundance should be considered to assess the water quality, and thereby more efficient aquatic environmental conservation of Bang-tabun Bay further.