Zotov A. Indices of the surface of unicellular algae and their use for structural-functional estimation of phytoplankton.

The dissertation is devoted to development of methods of calculation of the complex of parameters of the surface of unicellular algae, and a substantiation of their use for a structurally functional estimation of phytoplankton using the example of the northwestern part of the Black Sea and adjoining water bodies. The mechanisms of the morpho-structural organization of phytoplankton of the northwestern Black Sea and adjoining water bodies are shown. Natural increase of the number of fine small cells with a high specific surface in water areas with a higher trophic status has been marked. A directly proportional correlation (r - 0,75) between variability of specific surface of the phytoplankton population and index of their domination, that is, the density coefficient, gives the basis to use interpopulation variability of the specific surface as a quantitative criterion in estimation of potential opportunities of species domination in phytoplankton populations. Empirical relations between a new parameterof phytoplankton, that is, the community surface index (SIp) and total primary production, concentration of chlorophyll "a", abundance, biomass and surface of communities are investigated. It has been shown, that the number is least interrelated to total primary production, and mostly to SIp.