Planktonic and benthic algae of a pampean river (Argentina): Comparative analysis

Abstract

In Buenos Aires province, the river Samborombon, which is typical of the plain, was sampled monthly during 1986-1987 in research carried out both on its physico-chemical characteristics and the communities present - plankton, phytobenthos, zoobenthos -. In this paper the structure and function of phytoplankton and benthic algal communities in the different sections of the river are compared. Both communities have definite limits as their components are not shared and show different strategies. Likewise, the environmental conditions along the river are variable, leading to differences in the planktonic and benthic algae at the locations studied.