Diatom algae of sandy spits of the northwestern part of the Black Sea (Ukraine)

The species diversity of diatom algae of mezophytopsammon in three areas of the northwestern part of the Black Sea (Kinburn, Karolino-Bugaz, and Budakskaya sandy spits) has been studied. Fifty-one taxa of Bacillariophyta from 26 genera were identified. Five species were first recorded in this area, and one species is a new record for Budaki Lagoon. Most of the species found (17) are motile (epipelic), and only four species are attached to the sandy grains (epipsammic). With respect to salinity, the diatoms were equally represented by polyhalobes (35%), mezohalobes (35%), and oligohalobes (31%). The greatest number of species was represented by the alkaliphilic (88%). A high abundance of diatoms in mezophytopsammon (up to 12 million cells per cm2) indicates their important role in productive processes of coastal ecosystems of the Black Sea.