The seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and water quality in the Prut River lower sector
The article presents the results on qualitative and quantitative indicators of phytoplankton of the Prut River lower sector within the Republic of Moldova in 2018-2020. In phytoplankton compositions 72 species were identified. Seasonal and long-term patterns of phytoplankton development have been established in Prut River lower sector. The numbers of phytoplankton changed within the limits 1,06 to 20,32 mln. cell/l, with biomass 1,23-21,64 g/m3. The values of saprobic indexes, estimated on the basis of species-indicators (52 species) from phytoplankton composition, which are in proportion of 58% typically β-mezosaprobic, confirm the following: the water quality of lower Prut River sector in the period 2018-2020 was satisfactory for the development of phytoplankton and was attributed mainly to II-III (good-moderately polluted) quality classes.