Floristic, survey and Identification of Marine Algae in the Coastal Zone at Sidi Khalifa Coast, Benghazi - Libya

Abstract

This study was for three months ( May, June and July), research offers a comprehensive taxonomic evaluation and comparative ecological examination of marinealgal species along the shoreline of Sidi Khalifa, northeast of Benghazi, Libya, including an extensive examinationanalysis of historical and modern regional literature. Algal and crystalline inorganic matriceswere collected from two hydrodynamically influenced settings: Station 1 (Open Wave-ExposedLittoral Rocks) and Station 2 (Enclosed, Low-Energy Lagoon Pool that is Semi-Isolated). Employing elevatedIn resolution light microscopy, a 17-panel digital system was examined to elucidate filamentous structures.cellular branching structures, diversity of pennate diatoms, and dynamics of secondary crystals. The open oceansector displayed a strong, varied biological profile led by resilient chlorophytes (Cladophora spp.),expanding leaf-like structures (Ulva lactuca), and slowly-growing brown algae (Cystoseira spp.), along withabundant siliceous pennate diatom communities (Navicula spp.). In contrast, the limited basin exhibited indicationsof significant ecological strain, leading to widespread filament breakdown, plasmolysis, and substantialthe formation of acicular, dendritic, and prismatic crystals influenced by hyper-salinity and cultural factorseutrophization. Comparison of these findings with previous Libyan studies suggests that the proliferation of Ulva and Cladophora, together with the decline of brown algae, serves as a reliable bioindicator of localized ecological degradation along the southern Mediterranean coast.)for localized ecological decline along the southern Mediterranean shore.