Study on biological factors for artificial reefs in Hormozgan Province (Bandar Lengeh area)

This study was carried out for growth of organism’s survey on artificial reef from 2004-2006 after establishment in Hormozgan offshore waters (Bandar Lengeh area). Also during this study we were examined some biological factors including: phytoplankton, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton and benthos from spring 2006 to winter 2006. In this study 43 phytoplankton genus were identified, 28 Bacillariophyceae (Diatom), 11 Dinophycea, 3 Cyanophycea and 1 Euglenaphycea. Bacillariophycea were dominant, Cyanophycea were high density observed in summer and Euglenaphycea was only observed in winter. The most abundant genus of diatoms were: Rhizosolenia, Navicula, Nitzschia, Coscinodiscus. Ceratium, Prorocentrum and Protoperidinium belong to Dinophycea, Oscillatoria belong to Cyanophycea were more than other genus. Copepoda and Nauplius were the most zooplankton and other group were respectively: Oikopleura, Polychaeta and Chaetognatha. The highest density of zooplankton was seen in winter. The statical study between different stations didn't show any significant (p>0.05). 6 ichthyoplankton families were seen and identified. These families were Clupeidae, Gobbidae, Callionymidae, Sparidae, Engraulidae and Scianidae. The high density were respectively in summer and spring. The highest annual mean belong to Gobbidae family. Benthos groups were including: Crustacea, Mollusca, Polychaete, Nematoda, Nemertin, Foraminifera, Opiouridae and Echiura. Annual high density of Crustacea were observed in spring season, Polychaete and Mollusca were observed respectively in summer and winter. Organisms which growth on the artifical reef were consist of 12 group. These Organism were Barnacle belong to Crustacea with one genus (Megabalanus tintinnabulum), Sponga with 5 families and Tunicate. The highest density was in 2005. We were seen increasing in size in some organisms such as Crab, Polychaetes, Bivalvia and Fish Larvae. Statical study didn't show any significant between organisms in different parts of artificial reef (top, mid, bottom) and kind of artificial reef had no effect on growth of organisms but Barnacles had high density on mixed artificial reef.