Annual and Seasonal Variation in Artemia Population in Relation to Water Quality Parameters in Lake Galgas in Crimea, Russia

Abstract

Aim: To study seasonal changes of hydrological parameters of the water and Artemia population status in the hypersaline Galgas Lake in the period of 2017-2019. Study Area and Duration: The study was carried out in the Crimea, a peninsula on the northern coast of the Black Sea in Eastern Europe in 2017-2019. Methodology: Water (brine) and Artemia samples were collected monthly from the lake located at the coastal line of the Black Sea. The parameters namely temperature, pH, salinity, Eh, and oxygen concentration of were determined in the water. Artemia population including the developmental stages and the cysts hatching rate of the cysts were measured in different seasons in the study period. The differences in hydrochemical characteristics of the study area in different years and seasons were observed. Results: The results showed that the hydrochemical characteristics of the study area varied with the climate peculiarities. In summer months 2017, the lake was dried out. In the hot period, the temperature of the air and water was above +30°C, the pH ranged insignificantly, and the oxygen concentration was low. Artemia cysts were found throughout the year, however the nauplii were mostly available during spring and autumn seasons, while the adults were found in spring and summer months. Conclusion: The study concluded that the changes of the water parameters depended on season and especially on air temperature. The changes of Artemia population were different in examined years and depended on the water characteristics and especially on temperature and oxygen concentration. The obtained results could be helpful for the local climate changes consequences studies and their influence on aquatic biota.