An experimental study of microflagellate bacterivory: further evidence for the importance and complexity of microplanktonic interactions

By simulating an upwelling event in a laboratory microcosm, it was possible to promote the development of a natural and diverse planktonic community. An initial bacterioplankton community which developed in response to phytoplankton growth was dominated by small coccoid forms (0,14–0,2 μm³) of the genera Vibrio and Pseudomonas. This group was heavily exploited by the heterotrophic microflagellate Pseudobodo sp. (30 μm³). Later, the bacterioplankton community was dominated by large rods (0,7 μm³) which the flagellates seemed unable to exploit. A Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model fitted to the observed data indicated that the flagellates consumed 2,4 times their carbon body mass per day or 19 bacteria·flagellate^?1·h^?1 when prey were not limiting. Clearance rates were inversely proportional to prey density and ingestion rate, ranging from 2 × 10^?3 to 20 × 10^?3) μ?·flagellate^?1·h^?1. At typical field densities of bacteria and heterotrophic flagellates in the southern Benguela region, between 5 and 30 percent of the water column could be cleared per day. Specific growth rates of the flagellates were positively related to prey density, the maximal rate being 0,84 · d^?1. Their initially faster growth rates allowed bacteria to increase in numbers despite predation. The growth yield of the flagellates (34–36 per cent) was also positively related to food density. Such low values suggest inefficient transfer of carbon to higher trophic orders but considerable nitrogen regeneration. Nitrogen excretion rates were approximately 6–7 μg N·mg dry weight^?1·h^?1, comparable to other flagellates but faster than ciliates. These rates are comparable with in situ measurements of NH⁺₄-N excretion in pycnoclinal regions based on ¹⁵N isotope studies but are only about 20 per cent of measured rates in surface waters. This is interpreted to mean that, in pycnoclinal regions where the relative input of "new" nitrogen is high, there are few regenerative steps and the model describes them satisfactorily. In surface waters, observed rates of excretion can only be accounted for by many regenerative steps in a highly complex food chain in which the cumulative total of nitrogen excretion at each step amounts to that based on ¹⁵N labelling studies.     

Molecular iodine (I2) emission from two Laminaria species (Phaeophyceae) and impact of irradiance and temperature on I2 emission into air and iodide release into seawater from Laminaria digitata

Kelps of the genus Laminaria accumulate iodine at high concentrations, but the iodine retaining capacity can be affected by emersion and physiological stress. In this study, I₂ emission into the atmosphere from Laminaria digitata and Laminaria hyperborea was compared under controlled low irradiances and temperatures. The two species exhibited different I₂ emission rates as blades of L. digitata emitted I₂ at rates five times higher than those from newly-grown blades (current growth season) of L. hyperborea. I₂ emission was not detectable from old blades (previous growth season) of L. hyperborea. Additionally, effects of irradiance and temperature on both I₂ emission into air and net I⁻ release into seawater where assessed for L. digitata while monitoring photo-physiological parameters as stress indicators. Irradiances between 30 and 120 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ had only marginal effects on both I₂ emission and I⁻ release rates, but physiological stress, indicated by photoinhibition, was observed. The results suggest that the irradiances applied here were not stressful enough to impact on the iodine release. By contrast, at elevated temperatures (20 °C), photoinhibition was accompanied by an increase in I₂ emission rates, but net I⁻ release rates remained similar at 10–20 °C. High I₂ emission rates into air and I⁻ release into seawater observed from L. digitata underpin the fundamental function of this kelp as mediator of coastal iodine fluxes.     

Microzooplankton grazing impact in the Western Arctic Ocean

Microzooplankton grazing impact on phytoplankton was assessed using the Landry–Hassett dilution technique in the Western Arctic Ocean during spring and summer 2002 and 2004. Forty experiments were completed in a region encompassing productive shelf regions of the Chukchi Sea, mesotrophic slope regions of the Beaufort Sea off the North Slope of Alaska, and oligotrophic deep-water sites in the Canada Basin. A variety of conditions were encountered, from heavy sea-ice cover during both spring cruises, moderate sea-ice cover during summer of 2002, and light to no sea ice during summer of 2004, with a concomitant range of trophic conditions, from low chlorophyll-a (Chl-a; <0.5 μg L⁻¹) during heavy ice cover in spring and in the open basin, to late spring and summer shelf and slope open-water diatom blooms with Chl-a >5 μg L⁻¹. The microzooplankton community was dominated by large naked ciliates and heterotrophic gymnodinoid dinoflagellates. Significant, but low, rates of microzooplankton herbivory were found in half of the experiments. The maximum grazing rate was 0.16 d⁻¹ and average grazing rate, including experiments with no significant grazing, was 0.04±0.06 d⁻¹. Phytoplankton intrinsic growth rates varied from the highest values of about 0.4 d⁻¹ to the lowest values of zero to slightly negative growth, on average 0.16±0.15 d⁻¹. Light limitation in spring and post-bloom senescence during summer were likely explanations of observed low phytoplankton growth rates. Microzooplankton grazing consumed 0–120% (average 22±26%) of phytoplankton daily growth. Grazing and growth rates found in this study were low compared to rates reported in another Arctic system, the Barents Sea, and in major geographic regions of the world ocean.     

Kinetic study reveals weak Fe-binding ligand,which affects the solubility of Fe in the Scheldt estuary

The chemistry of dissolved Fe(III) was studied in the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands). Two discrete size fractions of the dissolved bulk (< 0.2 μm and < 1 kDa) were considered at three salinities (S = 26, 10 and 0.3).Within the upper estuary, where fresh river water meets seawater, the dissolved Fe concentration decreases steeply with increasing salinity, for the fraction < 0.2 μm from 536 nM at S = 0.3 to 104 nM at S = 10 and for the fraction < 1 kDa from 102 nM to 36 nM Fe. Further downstream, in the middle and lower estuary, this decrease in the Fe concentration continues, but is far less pronounced. For all samples, the traditionally recognised dissolved strong organic Fe-binding ligand concentrations are lower than the dissolved Fe concentrations.Characteristics of dissolved Fe-binding ligands were determined by observing kinetic interactions with adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. From these kinetic experiments we concluded that apart from the well-known strong Fe-binding organic ligands (L, logK′ = 19–22) also weak Fe-binding ligands (P) existed with an α value (binding potential = K′ · [P]) varying between 10^11.1 and 10^11.9. The presence of this relatively weak ligand explained the high concentrations of labile Fe present in both size fractions in the estuary. This weak ligand can retard or prevent a direct precipitation after an extra input of Fe.The dissociation rate constants of the weak ligand varied between 0.5 × 10^− 4 and 4.3 × 10^− 4 s^− 1. The rate constants of the strong organic ligand varied between k_d = 1.5 × 10^− 3–17 × 10^− 2 s^− 1 and k_f = 2.2 × 10⁸–2.7 × 10⁹ M^− 1 s^− 1. The dissociation rate constant of freshly amorphous Fe-hydroxide was found to be between 4.3 × 10^− 4 and 3.7 × 10^− 3 s^− 1, more labile or equal to the values found by Rose and Waite [Rose, A.L., Waite, T.D., 2003a. Kinetics of hydrolysis and precipitation of ferric iron in seawater. Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 3897–3903.] for freshly precipitated Fe in seawater.Kinetic rate constants of Fe with the ligand TAC (2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol) were also determined. The formation rate constant of Fe(TAC)₂ varied between 0.1 × 10⁸ and 3.6 × 10⁸ M^− 1 s^− 1, the dissociation rate constant between 0.2 × 10^− 5 and 17 × 10^− 5 s^− 1 for both S = 26 and S = 10. The conditional stability constant of Fe(TAC)₂ (β_Fe(TAC)2′) varied between 22 and 23.4 for S = 10 and S = 26 more or less equal to that known from the literature (logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ = 22.4; [Croot, P.L., Johansson, M., 2000. Determination of iron speciation by cathodic stripping voltammetry in seawater using the competing ligand 2-(2-Thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC). Electroanalysis, 12, 565–576.]). However, at S = 0.3 the logβ_Fe(TAC)2′ was 25.3, three orders of magnitude higher. Apparently the application of TAC to samples of low salinity can only be done when the correct β_Fe(TAC)2′ is known.     

Influence d'un élevage ostréicole sur les flux de nutriments et d'oxygène dans un écosystème lagunaire

The impact of suspended oyster culture (Crassostrea gigas, Thunberg) on oxygen and nutrient fluxes has been studied in situ, in a coastal lagoon (Thau, France), during a seasonal cycle. On the first plan of the multiple factorial correspondences analysis (MCA), seasons were well discriminated. The fluxes were maximum in summer and minimum in winter. However, this seasonal pattern was not only linked to the water temperature, as autumn and spring (similar temperatures of about 12 °C) were distinct in the second factorial plan (2.3). Oxygen uptake by the oyster cultures varied between 0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ (January) and 11 823 ±377 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ (July). Ammonia and nitrate-nitrites were released into the water column respectively at a rate of 2905 ± 327 μmol m⁻²h⁻¹ and 891 ± 88 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ in the summer and 0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ and 177 ± 97 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ in the cold season. During the summer, the nitrate-nitrites flux was about 20 % of the total dissolved inorganic nitrogen production. Phosphate release was low except for two periods during which an important release was measured; in May (1686 ± 44 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹) and in November (2691 ± 800 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹). No linear relation between water temperature and phosphate flux was found. In Thau Lagoon, oyster cultures (oysters and epibiota) by producing 2 × 10⁷ mol-N y⁻¹ play a central role in nitrogen renewal in the water column.     

Interhemispheric exchanges of mass and heat in the Atlantic Ocean in January–March 1993

Hydrographic, geochemical, and direct velocity measurements along two zonal (7.5°N and 4.5°S) and two meridional (35°W and 4°W) lines occupied in January–March, 1993 in the Atlantic are combined in an inverse model to estimate the circulation. At 4.5°S, the Warm Water (potential temperature θ>4.5°C) originating from the South Atlantic enters the equatorial Atlantic, principally at the western boundary, in the thermocline-intensified North Brazil Undercurrent (33±2.7×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ northward) and in the surface-intensified South Equatorial Current (8×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ northward) located to the east of the North Brazil Undercurrent. The Ekman transport at 4.5°S is southward (10.7±1.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹). At 7.5°N, the Western Boundary Current (WBC) (17.9±2×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) is weaker than at 4.5°S, and the northward flow of Warm Water in the WBC is complemented by the basin-wide Ekman flow (12.3±1.0×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹), the net contribution of the geostrophic interior flow of Warm Water being southward. The equatorial Ekman divergence drives a conversion of Thermocline Water (24.58⩽σ₀<26.75) into Surface Water (σ₀<24.58) of 7.5±0.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹, mostly occurring west of 35°W. The Deep Water of northern origin flows southward at 7.5°N in an energetic (48±3×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), whose transport is in part compensated by a northward recirculation (21±4.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) in the Guiana Basin. At 4.5°S, the DWBC is much less energetic (27±7×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ southward) than at 7.5°N. It is in part balanced by a deep northward recirculation east of which alternate circulation patterns suggest the existence of an anticyclonic gyre in the central Brazil Basin and a cyclonic gyre further east. The deep equatorial Atlantic is characterized by a convergence of Lower Deep Water (45.90⩽σ₄<45.83), which creates an upward diapycnal transport of 11.0×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ across σ₄=45.83. The amplitude of this diapycnal transport is quite sensitive to the a priori hypotheses made in the inverse model. The amplitude of the meridional overturning cell is estimated to be 22×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ at 7.5°N and 24×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ at 4.5°S. Northward heat transports are in the range 1.26–1.50 PW at 7.5°N and 0.97–1.29 PW at 4.5°S with best estimates of 1.35 and 1.09 PW.     

Coccolithophorids on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay – production,transport and contribution to mass fluxes

Coccoliths collected by sediment traps deployed on the slope of the Bay of Biscay (northeastern Atlantic), from June 1990 to August 1991, were examined to determine their contribution to the transport of carbonate on a mid-latitude continental margin. They also were used as tracers of particle transfer processes on this slope. Two traps located at 1900 m, respectively at 2300 (Mooring Site 1) and 3000 m (Mooring Site 2) water depths provided high-resolution (4–7 days) time-series samples covering a 14-month period at MS2 and a 3-month period at MS1. Coccoliths from 28 species were identified over the course of the experiment, among which Emiliania huxleyi was always dominant (relative abundance range: 59–93%). Total coccoliths number fluxes were high but variable, ranging from 390×10⁶ to 1610×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹ at MS1, and from 58×10⁶ to 1500×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹ at MS2. The time-weighted mean flux, calculated for the whole experiment at MS2, was 499×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹. Estimate of coccoliths minimal contribution to total carbonate flux at 1900 m depth averaged 12%, which represented a weighted mean flux of 7.3 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ (2.7 g m⁻² yr⁻¹). Lateral transport of coccoliths resuspended from shelf and/or upper slope sediments seems to be the dominant transfer process to depth on this northeastern Atlantic slope. Nevertheless, the clear seasonal succession observed in the species composition implies that the deposition/resuspension/transport sequence is rapid (presumably less than a few months). Several short and unsmoothed signals directly issued from coccoliths bloom events also were recorded in our traps, a result that indicates rapid settling rates. The overall coccolith sedimentation processes appear as being quite diversified, but quantitative and qualitative analyses of aggregates collected by the traps suggest that they are important carriers of coccoliths in this margin environment.     

Abundance,biomass and composition of the sea ice biota of the Greenland Sea pack ice

During two cruises to the Greenland Sea, we studied the abundance and biomass of the sea ice biota in summer and late autumn. The mean calculated biomass of the sympagic community was 0.2 g C m⁻² ice. Algae contributed on average 43% to total biomass, followed by bacteria (31%), heterotrophic flagellates (20%), and meiofauna (4%). Diatoms were the main primary producers (60% of total algal biomass), but flagellated cells contributed significantly to the algal biomass. Among the meiofauna, ciliates, nematodes, acoel turbellarians and crustaceans were dominant. Calculated potential ingestion rates of meiofauna (0.6 g C m⁻² (120 d)⁻¹) are on the same order of magnitude as annual primary production estimates for Arctic multi-year sea ice. We therefore assume that grazing can control biomass accumulation of primary producers inside the sea ice.     

A sediment and organic carbon budget for the greater Strait of Georgia

Recent efforts to construct global ocean budgets for carbon have recognized the importance of continental margins. In this study, we constructed budgets for the Strait of Georgia, a temperate, North American west coast basin that receives the inflow of one of the world's major rivers. Drawing from published and unpublished data, we have estimated the magnitude of the various sources and sinks of fresh water, sediment and organic carbon.The Fraser River is the dominant source of fresh water and particles to the strait, contributing approximately 73% of the 158×10⁹ m³ year⁻¹ of water and 64% of the 30×10⁹ kg year⁻¹ of particles. Other rivers supply most of the remainder, while rain, groundwater and anthropogenic sources of water and particles are negligible in comparison. Fresh water escapes the Strait of Georgia through Juan de Fuca Strait, but particulate inputs are approximately balanced by sedimentation within the greater Strait of Georgia, implying almost complete trapping of particles.Dissolved and particulate organic carbon are derived mainly from in situ primary production (855×10⁶ kg year⁻¹) and from the Fraser River (550×10⁶ kg year⁻¹). Other rivers contribute 200×10⁶ kg year⁻¹ of organic carbon, and anthropogenic sources (ocean dumping, sewage, pulp mills and aquaculture) a further 119×10⁶ kg year⁻¹. Particulate organic carbon is predominantly buried (428×10⁶ kg year⁻¹) or oxidized (90×10⁶ kg year⁻¹) in the sediments of the strait. About 70% of the organic carbon that enters or is produced in the strait is dissolved. Most of the dissolved organic carbon is oxidized within the strait (784×10⁶ kg year⁻¹), but the remainder (400×10⁶ kg year⁻¹) is exported to the Pacific Ocean. Although the particulate organic carbon budget by itself implies net autotrophy, dissolved organic carbon oxidation may make the Strait of Georgia slightly net heterotrophic.     

A seasonal comparison of prokaryote numbers,biomass and heterotrophic productivity in waters of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight,South Africa

The KwaZulu-Natal Bight is a shallow indentation of the eastern seaboard of South Africa, characterised by a narrow (45 km wide) extension of the continental shelf, with a shelf break at about 100 m. It has a complex hydrography: the waters of the bight are derived from the fast-flowing, southward-trending Agulhas Current, which is fed mostly by the tropical and subtropical surface waters of the South-West Indian Ocean subgyre, which are generally oligotrophic in nature, notably depleted in reduced nitrogen and phosphate except at river mouths and during periodic upwelling of deeper nutrient-rich water. Despite this, the bight is believed to be relatively productive, and it is suggested that efficient nutrient recycling by prokaryotes may sustain primary productivity efficiently, even in the absence of new nutrient inputs. Here we have measured bacterial numbers, biomass and heterotrophic productivity during summer and winter in conjunction with phytoplankton standing stock and factors that influence it. Bacterial distribution closely matched phytoplankton distribution in surface waters, and was highest close to the coast. Bacterial standing stocks were similar to those of oligotrophic systems elsewhere (0.5–5.0 × 10⁵ cells ml^–1; 1 × 10^–8 to 1.25 × 10^–7 g C ml^–1) and increased in association with the development of phytoplankton blooms offshore and with inputs of allochthonous material by rivers at the coast. Heterotrophic productivity in summer was lowest in the far south and north of the bight (0.5 × 10^–10 g C ml^–1 h^–1) but higher close to the shore, over shallow banks, and in association with increased phytoplankton abundance over the midshelf (1.0–3.5 × 10^–9 g C ml^–1 h^–1). There were marked seasonal differences with lower bacterial standing stocks (5 × 10⁴ to 2 × 10⁵ cells ml^–1; 4–5 × 10^–9 to 1–2 × 10^–8 g C ml^–1) and very low bacterial productivity (4 × 10^–11 to 1 × 10^–10 g C ml^–1 h^–1) in winter, probably resulting from lowered rates of primary productivity and dissolved organic matter release as well as reduced riverine allochthonous inputs during the winter drought.     

Evolution of petrophysical properties of oil shales during high-temperature compaction tests: Implications for petroleum expulsion

The transport properties of Permian to Miocene oil shales (Torbanite, Posidonia, Messel, Himmetoglu, and Condor) were studied using petrophysical and geochemical techniques. The aims of this study were to assess permeability of oil shales, evaluate the evolution of porosity, specific surface area and intergranular permeability during high temperature compaction tests and to verify the suitability of intergranular permeability for petroleum expulsion. Measured permeability coefficients for two samples were 0.72 × 10⁻²¹ m² for the Eocene Messel shale and 2.63 × 10⁻²¹ m² for the Lower Jurassic Posidonia shale from S. Germany, respectively. BET specific surface areas of the original samples ranged from 0.7 to 10.6 m²/g and decreased after compaction to values from 0.3 to 3.7 m²/g. Initial porosity values ranged from 7.6 to 20.1 % for pre-deformation and from 9.99 to 20.7 % for post-deformation samples. Porosity increased during the high-temperature compaction experiments due to petroleum generation and expulsion. Permeability coefficients estimated using the Kozeny–Carman equation varied from 6.97 × 10⁻²⁴ m² to 5.22 × 10⁻²¹ m² for pre-deformation and from 0.2 × 10⁻²¹ m² to 4.8 × 10⁻²¹ m² for post-deformation samples reflecting the evolution of their porosity and BET specific surface areas. Measured and calculated permeability were similar for the Messel shale whereas calculated permeability was two orders of magnitude lower for the Posidonia shale from S. Germany. Petroleum expulsion efficiencies under the experimental conditions ranged from 38.6% for the Torbanite to 96.2% for the Posidonia shale from S. Germany. They showed strong positive correlation with the petroleum generation index (R² = 0.91) and poor correlations with porosity (R² = 0.46), average pore throat diameters (R² = 0.22), and compaction (R² = 0.02). Estimated minimum pore-system saturations for petroleum expulsion during the experiments were 12% for the Torbanite and 30% for the Posidonia shale from N. Germany. Pore-system saturation determines whether expulsion occurs mainly through matrix or fracture permeability. For samples with saturation levels above 20%, fracture permeability dominated during the experiments. Evidence based on the measured permeability coefficients, expulsion flow rates, consideration of capillary displacement during generation-related pore invasion and the existence of transport porosity suggests that fracture permeability is the principal avenue of petroleum expulsion from source rocks. This conclusion is supported by microscopic observations.     

Photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic Waters

Photochemical production rates of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were determined in Antarctic waters during two research cruises. The first cruise was from mid-October to mid-November, 1993, in the confluence of the Weddell and Scotia Seas, and the second cruise was in December, 1994, along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. During these cruises, midday sea-surface production rates ranged from 2.1 to 9.6 nM h⁻¹, with an average rate of 4.5 nM h⁻¹. Production rates were consistently smaller than rates determined at lower latitudes (>9 nM h⁻¹), primarily due to the colder temperatures and lower ultraviolet irradiances in polar waters. In situ production rates were determined with a free-floating drifter that was deployed for 12–14 h. Production rates, averaged over the deployment time, were highest at or near the surface (ca. 2.4–3.5 nM h⁻¹) and decreased rapidly with depth to 0.1–0.7 nM h⁻¹ at 10–20 m. The decrease in production rates with depth generally paralleled the decrease in ultraviolet irradiance in the water column. Production rates of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic seawater were largely controlled by the ultraviolet irradiance in the water column, although there was some evidence for production in the blue region of the solar spectrum. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the wavelength dependence of the apparent quantum yield for the photochemical formation of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic waters. Apparent quantum yields determined at 0°C decreased from 0.74×10⁻³ mol einstein⁻¹ at 290 nm to 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol einstein⁻¹ 410 nm. At 20°C, apparent quantum yields for the photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide were within a factor of two of apparent quantum yields determined in temperate waters at 20–25°C. Sunlight-normalized H₂O₂ production rates were determined as a function of wavelength using noontime irradiance data from Palmer Station, Antarctica. A decrease in stratospheric ozone from 336 to 151 Dobson units resulted in a predicted 19–42% increase in the photoproduction of H₂O₂ at the sea surface in Antarctic waters. The magnitude of this increase depends on the concentration and absorbance characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the photic zone, as well as on other factors such as cloudiness and decreasing solar zenith angle that tend to lower photochemical rates offsetting increases due to stratospheric ozone depletion.     

Diapycnal nutrient fluxes on the northern boundary of Cape Ghir upwelling region

In this study we estimate diffusive nutrient fluxes in the northern region of Cape Ghir upwelling system (Northwest Africa) during autumn 2010. The contribution of two co-existing vertical mixing processes (turbulence and salt fingers) is estimated through micro- and fine-structure scale observations. The boundary between coastal upwelling and open ocean waters becomes apparent when nitrate is used as a tracer. Below the mixed layer (56.15±15.56 m), the water column is favorable to the occurrence of a salt finger regime. Vertical eddy diffusivity for salt (K_s) at the reference layer (57.86±8.51 m, CI 95%) was 3×10⁻⁵ (±1.89×10⁻⁹, CI 95%) m² s⁻¹. Average diapycnal fluxes indicate that there was a deficit in phosphate supply to the surface layer (6.61×10⁻⁴ mmol m⁻² d⁻¹), while these fluxes were 0.09 and 0.03 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ for nitrate and silicate, respectively. There is a need to conduct more studies to obtain accurate estimations of vertical eddy diffusivity and nutrient supply in complex transitional zones, like Cape Ghir. This will provide us with information about salt and nutrients exchange in onshore–offshore zones.     

Seasonal variability in nitrogenous nutrition of phytoplankton assemblages in the northeastern subarctic Pacific Ocean

Nitrogen uptake rates, and physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the euphotic zone were studied in winter, spring and late summer during the period 1992–1994 along a transect (Line P) extending from the continental slope off the southwest corner of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada; station P4; 49°N, 127°W) to open waters in the NE Pacific (OSP; 50°N, 145°W). Nitrate (NO₃⁻) and silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) concentrations increased offshore during every season. Lowest NO₃⁻ and Si(OH)₄ values were observed during late summer and spring, and highest during winter throughout the euphotic zone. For spring and late summer, surface depletion of NO₃⁻ was observed at the inshore end of the transect, while offshore concentrations were never limiting for phytoplankton growth. Silicic acid was never depleted at any depth or station during the period covered by this study. Ammonium (NH₄⁺) and urea concentrations exhibited a patchy distribution along the transect, with no seasonal variations. Chlorophyll a and particulate nitrogen did not show a consistent longitudinal pattern from year to year. In general, the highest concentrations of chlorophyll a and particulate nitrogen were measured during the late summer cruises, with lower values in spring and lowest in winter. Phytoplankton assemblages were numerically dominated by flagellates <5 μm throughout the water column on each cruise transect. Ammonium, urea and NO₃⁻ uptake rates represented on average 55, 24 and 21% of the depth-integrated total nitrogen uptake, both longitudinally and seasonally; hence, phytoplankton utilized nitrogen in the following order: NH₄⁺>urea>NO₃⁻ along Line P. Ammonium may have inhibited the uptake rates of NO₃⁻ and urea. Urea uptake rates were lower than those of NH₄⁺, but higher values were occasionally observed at a few depths along the transect, particularly during the spring of 1993. Depth-integrated NH₄⁺ uptake rates were generally higher inshore, while NO₃⁻ uptake rates showed higher values offshore during most seasons. In contrast, urea uptake rates did not exhibit a consistent longitudinal trend. The depth-integrated f-ratio ranged from 0.05 to 0.37 with an average of 0.21 for all stations and cruises, and was overestimated on average by 36% when urea was excluded from the calculation. On a yearly basis, primary productivity in the NE subarctic Pacific was based on regenerated nitrogen.     

Apports de nutriments et développement phytoplanctonique en baie de Seine

As part of the Programme National d'Océanographie Côtière, the nutrient dynamics of the Bay of Seine were studied between 1992 and 1994 in order to complement work on ecological modelling. Firstly, the River Seine's nutrient fluxes were established: 80 000–130 000 t a⁻¹ of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, 6 400–8 4001 a⁻¹ of dissolved phosphorus and 20 000–77 000 t a⁻¹ of dissolved silicium. Estuarine processes were taken into account. Consequences of nutrient loading for the bay were then evaluated at the pelagic level (nutrient and chlorophyll enrichments) and the benthic level (distribution of various phosphorus fractions in superficial sediments). The large continental inputs always induce concentration gradients in the water from the mouth of the river to the northwest of the bay. The northward spreading of fine particulate matter controls the distribution of adsorbed phosphate and iron-aluminium bound phosphate in sediments. In contrast, calcium bound phosphate, the main fraction in sediments, is not affected by river inputs. Organic phosphorus in sediments is related to phytoplankton blooms, with increasing concentrations during productive periods; afterwards the fast recycling prevents sedimentary accumulation. The nutrient depletions observed beyond the turbid plume during spring 1992 enabled the calculation of nutrient uptake rates, and the comparison of these rates with phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a + phaeopigments). Ratios of nutrient consumption to pigment concentration were estimated at 1 μmol μg⁻¹ for nitrogen, 0.05 for phosphorus and 0.5 for silicate. These values, as N/P and Si/N uptake ratios (respectively 17.5 and 0.4), were similar to usual values.     

Production of chromophoric dissolved organic matter fluorescence in marine and estuarine environments: an investigation into the role of phytoplankton

We tested whether phytoplankton are a direct source of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence in a series of experiments. In the first experiment, sonication of 11 dense algal cultures from several algal classes revealed no immediate release of CDOM fluorescence. In a second experiment, using nutrient addition bioassays from a range of sites in the mid-Atlantic region, we found no increase in CDOM fluorescence when nutrient limitation was alleviated despite large increases in chlorophyll a over 3–5 days. In a third experiment, the change in CDOM fluorescence over a 28-day period in five non-axenic algal batch cultures was measured. There was little or no increase in CDOM fluorescence until the cultures entered the stationary phase, whereupon an exponential increase in CDOM fluorescence was observed. In a fourth set of experiments, the production of CDOM fluorescence was examined in a series of cultures of Skeletonema costatum and Prorocentrum minimum. In the dark, in the absence of autotrophic growth, we observed slow rates of CDOM fluorescence production (0.02–0.05 NFlU day⁻¹). Rates were much higher in parallel lighted cultures (0.1–0.2 NFlU day⁻¹) but were more related to bacterial counts than to algal biomass. In a third phase of this experiment, when illuminated, stationary phase cultures were filtered through 1-μm pore size filters and incubated in the dark, CDOM fluorescence production continued unchanged. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that phytoplankton are not a direct source of CDOM fluorescence in marine and estuarine environments and that CDOM fluorescence is produced by bacteria using non-fluorescent organic matter derived from phytoplankton.     

Mercury in the Southern North Sea and Scheldt estuary

Dissolved and particulate mercury and methylmercury concentrations were determined in the Southern Bight of the North Sea and the Scheldt estuary in the period 1991–1999. Mercury and methylmercury concentrations are higher before 1995 than after 1995, especially in the fluvial part.The North Sea: In the offshore stations, dissolved Hg concentrations are generally higher in winter than in summer while the reverse is true for particulate Hg K_D values (K_D=the concentration of particulate Hg (Hg_P in pmol kg⁻¹) divided by the concentration of dissolved Hg (Hg_D in pmol l⁻¹)) range from 100,000 to 1000,000 l kg⁻¹. Dissolved methylmercury concentrations vary from 0.05 to 0.25 pmol l⁻¹ in summer and from d.l. to 0.23 pmol l⁻¹ in winter and particulate methylmercury concentrations from 1.8 to 36 pmol g⁻¹ in summer and from 0.9 to 21 pmol g⁻¹ in winter. The K_D ranges from 9,000 to 219,000 l kg⁻¹.The Scheldt estuary: In winter, dissolved Hg concentrations are elevated in the upper estuary, decrease exponentially in the low salinity range followed by a very slow decrease towards the mouth. In summer, they are low in the fluvial part, increase in the low salinity range or in the mid-estuary and sometimes show an increase in the lower estuary. Particulate Hg concentrations do not show any seasonal trend.Dissolved MMHg concentrations are much lower in winter, when maximum concentrations are found in the upper estuary, than in summer. In summer, the MMHg concentrations are low at low salinity, they show a first increase in the salinity range from 3 to 12, a decrease in the mid-estuary and a second increase in the lower estuary.The highest particulate MMHg concentrations are found in the upper estuary, while in the lower estuary generally lower and more constant values are observed. The ratio of dissolved MMHg to dissolved Hg (cruise averages between 1.3% and 20%), is higher than the ratio of particulate MMHg to particulate Hg (cruise averages of 0.27–0.90%). The K_D values for MMHg are lower in the summer (30,000–65,000) than in autumn and winter (77,000–114,000).The Scheldt river: In the fluvial part of the Scheldt, dissolved increases in the most upstream stations, while particulate Hg shows no particular pattern. Dissolved MMHg ranges from 0.1 to 0.39 pmol l⁻¹ and particulate MMHg from 3.1 to 43.5 pmol g⁻¹. The MMHg concentrations are comparable to those found in the estuary and no seasonal variations could be observed.     

Feeding behaviour of adult Centropages hamatus (Copepoda, Calanoida): Functional response and selective feeding experiments

The feeding behaviour of adults of the marine calanoid copepod Centropages hamatus was studied in laboratory experiments with ciliates and phytoplankton as food sources. The ingestion rate of algal (flagellates, diatoms) and ciliate prey (oligotrichs) as a function of prey concentration could be described by a Holling type III functional response, with close to zero ingestion rates at concentrations below 5 µg C l^− 1. In general, ingestion of ciliates was higher than ingestion of algae, and maximum feeding rates by adult males reached were half the feeding rates of adult females at prey concentrations exceeding 50 µg C l^− 1. When diatoms and ciliates were offered together C. hamatus (both sexes) fed exclusively on ciliates as long as they contributed with more than 5% to the mixture. This indicates the capability of active prey selection and switching between suspension feeding and ambush predation. Therefore, the feeding behaviour of adult C. hamatus can be characterised as omnivorous with a preference for larger motile prey. This implies a trophic level above two, if there is a sufficient abundance of protozoan food available.     

台湾海峡小型浮游动物的摄食对夏季藻华演替的影响

于2004年8月1~6日对台湾海峡南部近岸的藻华过程进行了定点连续跟踪观测,用稀释法研究了浮游植物的生长率和小型浮游动物对浮游植物的摄食死亡率,同时运用高效液相色谱(HPLC)技术,分析了浮游植物不同光合色素类群的生长率和摄食死亡率.结果表明,观测期间处于藻华的消退期.8月1日时,浮游植物生物量(叶绿素a)和丰度分别为2.04μg/dm3和2.99×105个/dm3,主要优势种为尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens)、冰河拟星杆藻(Asterionellopsis glacialis)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum),8月6日时,浮游植物生物量和丰度分别减为0.37μg/dm3和1.54×104个/dm3;而蓝藻和甲藻的丰度和比例则呈现出逐渐增加的趋势,所占的比重分别从1日的0.04%和0.85%增加到6日的9.59%和41.97%.小型浮游动物主要由无壳纤毛虫、砂壳纤毛虫、红色中缢虫(Mesodinium rubrum)和异养甲藻等类群组成,总丰度于8月2日达到最大值,为3640个/dm3,之后逐渐减少,6日时,仅为436个/dm3.观测期间,小型浮游动物在群落组成上虽一直以无壳纤毛虫和异养甲藻为主,但在具体的类群结构上却表现出了一定的差异,30μm以下的无壳纤毛虫和异养甲藻总体呈下降的趋势,而红色中缢虫、砂壳纤毛虫和大于50μm的无壳纤毛虫总体呈增加的趋势.观测期间,浮游植物的生长率为0.40~0.91d-1,小型浮游动物的摄食率为0.26~1.34d-1,摄食率和生长率总体呈逐渐下降的趋势.结果还表明,小型浮游动物的摄食率与叶绿素a具有很好的相关性(R2=0.89),对各光合色素类群的现存量和初级生产力均具有较高的摄食压力(分别为37.97%~82.24%和70.71%~281.33%),是藻华消亡的重要原因之一;此外,小型浮游动物对甲藻和蓝藻的避食行为,可能是观测期间由“硅藻”水华向“硅藻-甲藻”水华转变的重要原因之一.     

Standard seawater comparison up to P129

Batch to batch differences of IAPSO standard seawater (SSW) batches P103 to P129 were examined. Several comparison experiments, in which 2–23 batches of SSW were compared with each other, were carried out during the period from 1991 to 1997. Batch to batch differences for the KCl-labeled batches, P91 through P129 except for P113, P115, P117, P125 and P126, ranged from −2.2×10⁻³ to 1.2×10⁻³ in salinity with an average of −0.1×10⁻³ in salinity. Within-batch differences were observed to be <0.3×10⁻³ in salinity for recent batches except a few for which the differences were up to 0.6–0.9×10⁻³ in salinity. The KCl-labeled batches generally agreed to within 1.0×10⁻³ in salinity with the assumed reference. Applications of batch to batch differences of SSW for World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) expedition salinity data led to a significant reduction in salinity variance at crossovers both at the regional scale of the Philippine Sea and the basin scale of the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. To obtain accuracy better than 2×10⁻³ in salinity, within-batch differences were also considered before the standardization for several ampoules of SSW. It is prudent that we continue the monitoring of batch to batch differences of SSW by comparing new with previous batches, so that one may correct both future salinity data and the historical salinity data.