Cryptomonad alga Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyta, Pyrenomonadaceae) bloom in the redox zone of the basins separating from the White Sea

Abstract

Bloom of a cryptomonad alga Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyta, Pyrenomonadaceae) was observed in the chemocline of saline basins separating from the White Sea, resulting in red coloration of the relevant water layer. According to the sequence of the 18S nuclear rRNA gene, this species was identical to Rhodomonas sp.RCC2020 (GenBank accession no. JN934672) from the Beaufort Sea. The presence of the red layer formed by mass development of Rhodomonas sp. is considered as an indicator of a certain stage of separation of a basin from the sea.