Michael, Angelina2019-07-192020-01-072019-07-192020-01-072012Michael, A (2012), Spatial and temporal distribution of plankton in selected estuaries in Tanzania, master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam (available athttp://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx)http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1377Available in print formThis study aimed at investigating the spatial and temporal distribution of plankton in three estuaries namely; Pangani, Ruvu and Mzinga Creek. Plankton composition and abundance, nutrients concentrations and dissolved oxygen in the water column were determined using standard oceanographic procedures. Water temperature, salinity, pH and conductivity were measured in situ using a multiparameter probe. A total of 200 phytoplankton and 77 zooplankton species were recorded from the three estuaries with diatoms and copepods as the main contributors of the plankton community. Although there was no significant difference in chlorophyll a between the study sites (p ˃ 0.05), phytoplankton abundance (number of cells/l) varied significantly among the sites (p ˂ 0.001) with the highest mean value recorded at Mzinga Creek. The higher phytoplankton abundance at Mzinga Creek was attributed to higher levels of water temperature and inorganic nutrients found at this site. Similarly, zooplankton abundance showed significant difference between sites (p ˂ 0.05) with the highest mean value recorded at Mzinga Creek. Significantly higher levels of chlorophyll a (p ˂ 0.05) and phytoplankton abundance (p ˂ 0.05) were observed during the Northeast monsoon period. However, there was no significant difference in zooplankton abundance between the seasons (p ˃ 0.05). In general, high number of phytoplankton species was found in more saline waters while zooplankton did not show clear trend. On the other hand, higher phytoplankton abundance was recorded in stations with higher levels of nutrients while zooplankton abundance was found to increase in site with high phytoplankton abundance, higher salinity and electric conductivity.enPlanktonPhytoplanktonEstuariesPanganiRuvuMzinga CreekTanzaniaThesis