Phytoplankton population structure of Mighan salt lake (Arak, Markazi province)

Mighan Lake is located 8 kilometers northeast of Arak city. Lake surface area is 112 km2. Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco composing main phytoplankton population and food chain in the lake. Salinity depending on season and water input is between 20-120 g/l. This study evaluated the impact of salinity and physicochemical factors on the lake’s phytoplankton communities. Sampling was done monthly during March to December 2019. Species and phytoplankton density were determined by inverted microscopy. Twelve algal species were identified which D. salina consisted 87.3% of phytoplankton composition. Indeed, salinity as a major limiting factor reduced phytoplankton diversity in Mighan Lake.