The taxonomy and distribution of algae in the thermal springs of Türkiye

Abstract

The algal flora and physio-chemical parameters of seven thermal springs in Denizli were studied for the first time. Samples for algal analyses were taken monthly between May 2013 and June 2014, while the physio-chemical parameters were measured seasonally. The mean pH value of the thermal springs was 6.3, and temperatures varied between 34-60 °C. The significant differences (P < 0.001) among the thermal springs were in their temperature and pH, as well as concentration of Cl^- , Fe^2+ , K^+ , Mg^+ , Na^+ , Li^+ , Ca^+ , HCO3^ - , and SO4^2- ions. A total of 43 Cyanobacteria and three Bacillariophyta taxa were determined.The most common taxon was Spirulina subsalsa Oersted ex Gomont, sampled from five sampling sites. According to the principal component analysis (PCA), the most important determining factor for the algae was temperature, followed by concentration of K^+ and Cl^- ions.