Study on distribution of Cysts of Harmful Algal Blooms-forming algae at Sohar Industrial Port, Sea of Oman

Abstract

The current study focused on assessing the presence/absence of cysts of some harmful algal species in Sohar Industrial Port (SIP) and in the seawater intake basin of the desalination plant located in the Sea of Oman. A total of seven type's species of potential harmful dinoflagellate cysts species were identified inside Sohar Port and in its surrounding area, while no cysts were found in the intake area of the desalination plant. The presence of cysts-forming algae in the port and their absence from the intake site of the desalination plant indicates that the port is providing a suitable environment for their survival. M. polykrikoides cysts were found during the two periods of sampling indicating their establishment of population and may well pose serious threat to the desalination plant in the future.