Differences in the Soluble,Residual Phosphate Concentrations at Which Coastal Phytoplankton Species Up-regulate Alkaline-Phosphatase Expression,as Measured By Flow-Cytometric Detection of ELF-97® Fluorescence

The enzyme-labeled fluorescence (ELF-97®) substrate produces an insoluble, fluorescent yellow-green product at the site of alkaline-phosphatase (AP) activity. Fifteen coastal phytoplankton species were tested to determine if AP activity could be detected in phosphate-depleted media. All species tested, except Synechococcus bacillaris, expressed AP activity. Subsequently, threshold concentrations of soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) at which AP activity could be detected by ELF-97® were determined for Chaetoceros neogracile, Chlorella autotrophica, Isochrysis sp., Prorocentrum minimum, and Tetraselmis chui. Microalgal species differed significantly in the SRP concentration at which AP activity was first detectable (10.1–16.4 µM), well above concentrations normally considered limiting for phytoplankton. P. minimum began to express AP activity at a higher SRP concentration than the other algal species; this may be attributable to a relatively high DNA/cell ratio in P. minimum, compared to the other phytoplankton. Thus, phytoplankton species may respond to phosphorus deficiency at high SRP concentrations.     

Occurrence of long chain 1,14-diols in Apedinella radians

Long chain 1,14-diols have been reported in diatoms of the genus Proboscia and applied as specific biomarker lipids for such algae. We report here the presence of saturated C₂₈, C₃₀ and C₃₂ 1,14-diols in a culture of the marine heterokont alga Apedinella radians (Class Dictyochophyceae, order Pedinellales). Apedinella species occur globally, although predominantly in estuarine waters, so the finding has potential implications for the use of long chain 1,14-diols as biomarkers of Proboscia diatoms and as an indicator of upwelling.     

Diatom characteristics of the Far East siliceous organogenic deposits

Three Far East diatomites, Puzanov (Kunashir Island, Kuril Islands), Sergeevskii, and Terekhovka (Southern Primorye) are characterized in detail. Rock-forming taxa are identified (Puzanov—Aulacoseira subarctica (O. Mull.) Hawort and Stephanodiscus niagarae var. pusanovae Genkal et Cherepanova; Sergeevskii—Staurosira construens var. venter (Ehr.) Gran., Aulacoseira italica (Ehr.) Sim., and representatives of the genus Cymbella with large valves (up to 175 Jim in length); Terekhovka—Aulacoseira praegranulata var. praeislandica f. praeislandica (Sim.) Moiss.). Morphometric analysis of valves of the dominant taxa showed a low variability of valve parameters for the Puzanov diatomite and a high one for the Sergeevskii and Terekhovka diatomites. The lake environments of the diatoms forming the diatomites were reconstructed based on the elemental composition of diatom valves and the ecological structure of diatom paleocommunities. The high oxygen and low silicon concentrations in valves of the Puzanov diatomite, most likely, indicate that the diatoms were part of plankton communities formed in a large deep freshwater lake. Significant concentrations of silicon in valves of the Terekhovka diatomite, in contrast, suggest that the diatoms occurred in benthic ecotopes in a shallow lake. The age of the deposits was refined by detailed studies of Aulacoseira valves, using light and scanning electron microscopes. For example, the presence of Aulacoseira taxa of the “prae” group in the Terekhovka diatomite confirms its Pliocene age, and the presence of valves of the present species A. italica in the Sergeevskii diatomite points to its Late Pliocene age. The identified features of the diatomites permit their use in practice.     

Primary productivity and phytoplankton size fraction dominance in a temperate North Atlantic estuary

The composition, productivity, and standing crop of net (>20 μm) and nano-(<20 μm) phytoplankton of Peconic Bay, Long Island, New York was examined from June 1978 through May 1979. Nanoplankton, primarily small solitary flagellates, chlorophytes, and diatoms, dominated from May through September accounting for 88.5% of the productivity and 88.1% of the standing crop (measured as chlorophyll a). An apparent net plankton bloom began in December and continued through March. The dominant organism through most of the winter bloom was the chain-forming diatom Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cl. Net plankton at this time represented 66.4% of the standing crop. For both size fractions, productivity/chlorophyll a (g C per g chl a per d, integrated through the euphotic zone) was a function of light energy over the year with the exception of a few sampling dates during the post-winter bloom period. Assimilation numbers (g C per g chl a per h at saturating light intensities) were a function of temperature between 0 and 20°C. Nitrogen deficiency did not appear to be a factor in regulating phytoplankton growth rate through the euphotic zone, as ratios of ¹⁴C assimilation for dark bottles enriched with NH₃ and with no enrichment exhibited no relationship to environmental dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations. Zooplankton grazing pressure appeared to have been an important factor in regulating the upper limit of phytoplankton biomass and in influencing size fraction dominance. Dominance of one phytoplankton size fraction over the other on any given date was not based on physiological differences between the two groups since both fractions were composed of the same species. Apparent net phytoplankton blooms (in terms of productivity and chlorophyll a) were artifacts of increased chain lengths of nanoplankton diatoms such as Skeletonema costatum, and to a lesser extent, Thalassiosira nordenskioldii Cl. and Detonula confervacea (Cl.) Gran, rather than to the dominance of large, solitary cells.     

Life cycle of 70 Ma-old non-marine pennate diatoms

Life cycle variations in the morphological and behavioral traits of modern pennate diatoms are known for a wide variety of genera and it is assumed that patterns of asexual and sexual reproduction (e.g. size reduction and auxosporulation) have remained essentially unchanged since their origin. We show here that many characteristics of modern pennate diatoms and the communities they inhabit can indeed be recognized in remarkably well-preserved, non-marine fossil material from the Cretaceous (∼70 Ma) Huepac Chert in NW Mexico. Besides the incremental size reduction of the siliceous frustules in species including Fragilaria tarahumara, we also demonstrate the spatial arrangement and distribution of these cells in in situ microalgal communities, and present evidence for local production of dense exopolymeric substances, cell division, and possibly auxospores. This is the first time that such life cycle stages are reported for non-marine fossil diatoms.     

The silicon isotopic composition of surface waters in the Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean

We report here the silicon isotopic composition (δ³⁰Si) of dissolved silicon (DSi) from 42 surface water samples from the Drake Passage, the Weddell Gyre, other areas south of the Southern Boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), and the ACC near the Kerguelen Plateau, taken between the beginning of February and the end of March 2007. From the beginning to end of the cruise (ANTXXIII/9), DSi diminished in the Antarctic by 50 μmol L⁻¹ while concentrations of nitrate + nitrite and phosphate showed no net decline, indicating that the high seasonal Si/N removal ratios well known for the Southern Ocean may be more related to the strength of the silicate pump in the Southern Ocean than to the instantaneous Si/N uptake ratio of diatoms. The δ³⁰Si of DSi in samples containing more than 20 μM DSi were strongly negatively correlated to DSi concentrations, supporting the use of δ³⁰Si as a proxy for DSi removal. The “open system” fractionation observed, ε = −1.2 ± 0.11‰, agrees well with results from previous work in other areas, and the estimate of the initial δ³⁰Si of DSi of +1.4‰ is not far off observations of the δ³⁰Si of DSi in Winter Water (WW) in this area. Results were used to model DSi draw down in the past from the δ³⁰Si of sediment cores, although isotopic fractionation during silica dissolution appeared to influence the δ³⁰Si of some surface water samples, inviting further study of this phenomenon.     

Dependence of flotation rate on particle size and fractional mineral content

Specific rates of flotation, K, as a function of particle size, d, and fractional mineral content, W, were measured for a quartz-hematite ore in a continuous flotation system using hydroxamate collector. The resulting K-d-W surface is explained in terms of flotation mechanisms and results of previous investigators. A K-d-W relationship will be of value to flotation models.     

A diatomaceous origin for long-chain diols and mid-chain hydroxy methyl alkanoates widely occurring in quaternary marine sediments: indicators for high-nutrient conditions

For the first time a biological source for the long-chain alkyl 1,14-diols and 12-hydroxy methyl alkanoates, lipids widely occurring in the marine water column and sediments, has been identified. Cultures of Proboscia indica and Proboscia alata, rhizosolenoid diatoms belonging to the widespread diatom genus Proboscia, contain C₂₈, C_28:1, C₃₀, and C_30:1 alkyl 1,14-diols, and C₂₇ and C₂₉ 12-hydroxy methyl alkanoates as major neutral lipids. These components form a substantial fraction of lipid fractions from sediment traps or sediments, especially in areas with an elevated primary production such as upwelling regions. Examination of literature data reveals that as much as 20 to 35% of the total lipid flux in the Arabian Sea is derived from Proboscia diatoms during the start of the upwelling season. Their rapid transfer to the water-sediment interface may explain why corresponding 1,14-keto-ols, inferred oxidation products of diols, are hardly formed. These interpretations are supported by compound-specific carbon isotopic analysis of long-chain keto-ols and diols in surface sediments of the Arabian Sea. The data indicate that long-chain alkyl 1,14-diols and 12-hydroxy methyl alkanoates can be applied as indicators for high-nutrient conditions in the photic zone.     

Nanoparticles in natural systems II: The natural oxide fraction at interaction with natural organic matter and phosphate

Information on the particle size and reactive surface area of natural samples and its interaction with natural organic matter (NOM) is essential for the understanding bioavailability, toxicity, and transport of elements in the natural environment. In part I of this series (Hiemstra et al., 2010), a method is presented that allows the determination of the effective reactive surface area (A, m²/g soil) of the oxide particles of natural samples which uses a native probe ion (phosphate) and a model oxide (goethite) as proxy. In soils, the natural oxide particles are generally embedded in a matrix of natural organic matter (NOM) and this will affect the ion binding properties of the oxide fraction. A remarkably high variation in the natural phosphate loading of the oxide surfaces (Γ, μmol/m²) is observed in our soils and the present paper shows that it is due to surface complexation of NOM, acting as a competitor via site competition and electrostatic interaction. The competitive interaction of NOM can be described with the charge distribution (CD) model by defining a ≡NOM surface species. The interfacial charge distribution of this ≡NOM surface species can be rationalized based on calculations done with an evolved surface complexation model, known as the ligand and charge distribution (LCD) model. An adequate choice is the presence of a charge of −1 v.u. at the 1-plane and −0.5 v.u. at the 2-plane of the electrical double layer used (Extended Stern layer model).The effective interfacial NOM adsorption can be quantified by comparing the experimental phosphate concentration, measured under standardized field conditions (e.g. 0.01 M CaCl₂), with a prediction that uses the experimentally derived surface area (A) and the reversibly bound phosphate loading (Γ, μmol/m²) of the sample (part I) as input in the CD model. Ignoring the competitive action of adsorbed NOM leads to a severe under-prediction of the phosphate concentration by a factor ∼10 to 1000. The calculated effective loading of NOM is low at a high phosphate loading (Γ) and vice versa, showing the mutual competition of both constituents. Both constituents in combination usually dominate the surface loading of natural oxide fraction of samples and form the backbone in modeling the fate of other (minor) ions in the natural environment.Empirically, the effective NOM adsorption is found to correlate well to the organic carbon content (OC) of the samples. The effective NOM adsorption can also be linked to DOC. For this, a Non-Ideal Competitive adsorption (NICA) model is used. DOC is found to be a major explaining factor for the interfacial loading of NOM as well as phosphate. The empirical NOM-OC relation or the parameterized NICA model can be used as an alternative for estimating the effective NOM adsorption to be implemented in the CD model for calculation of the surface complexation of field samples. The biogeochemical impact of the NOM-PO₄ interaction is discussed.     

Upper Cretaceous amber from Vendée,north-western France: Age dating and geological,chemical, and palaeontological characteristics

The Upper Cretaceous lignite deposits of La Garnache, Vendée (north-western France), consist of two lignitic clay series, Garnache 1 and Garnache 2, separated by a fault. The first series cropped out to the south of the fault during road works until 2002 but is now covered by an embankment. It has provided numerous pieces of amber containing arthropod and micro-organism inclusions. The second lignitic series, exposed to the north of the fault, is rich in fossil wood but devoid of amber. Palynological analysis of Garnache 1 revealed several Normapolles species belonging to the genera Atlantopollis, Complexiopollis, Osculapollis, Plicapollis and Trudopollis, but larger forms typical of Senonian deposits are absent. By contrast, Garnache 2 proved to be dominated taxonomically and numerically by spores (Appendicisporites, Camarozonosporites, Gleicheniidites, Patellasporites, Stereisporites), associated with a few gymnosperm (Cerebropollenites, Phyllocladidites, Classopollis) and angiosperm (Liliacidites, Retitricolpites and a single specimen of the Normapolles Complexiopollis) taxa. Garnache 1 is, therefore, younger than Garnache 2, the latter being clearly Cenomanian in age whereas Garnache 1 is more likely to be Turonian. Lignitic clay of Garnache 1 contains numerous translucent, orange to red, pieces of amber. Vendean amber is rich in aquatic arthropods, such as tanaids and epicarideans (Crustacea), as well as marine or brackish siliceous micro-organisms such as diatoms and sponge spicules. These aquatic inclusions indicate that resin-producing trees grew along and close to the seashore. The amber-bearing clay was deposited in a calm, estuarine or lagoonal, muddy environment.     

Fractionation of silicon isotopes during biogenic silica dissolution

Silicon isotopes have been investigated for their potential to reveal both past and present patterns of silicic acid utilization, primarily by diatoms, in surface waters of the ocean. Interpretation of this proxy has thus far relied on characteristic trends in the isotope composition of the dissolved and particulate silicon pools in the upper ocean, as driven by biological fractionation during the production of biogenic silica (bSiO₂, or opal) by diatoms. However, other factors which may influence the silicon isotope composition of diatom opal, particularly post-formational aging and maturation processes, remain largely uninvestigated. Here, we report a consistent fractionation of silicon isotopes during the physicochemical dissolution of diatom bSiO₂ suspended in seawater under closed conditions. This fractionation acts counter to that occurring during bSiO₂ production and at about half its absolute magnitude, with dissolution discriminating against the release of the heavier isotopes of silicon at an enrichment factor ε_DSi–BSi of −0.55‰, corresponding to a fractionation factor α_30/28 of 0.99945. The enrichment factor did not vary with source material, indicating the lack of a significant species effect, or with temperature from 3 to 20 °C. Thus, the dissolution of bSiO₂ produces dissolved silicon with a δ³⁰Si value that is 0.55‰ more negative than its parent bSiO₂, an effect that must be accounted for when interpreting oceanic δ³⁰Si distributions. The δ³⁰Si values of both the dissolved and particulate silicon pools increased linearly as dissolution progressed, implying a measurable (±0.1‰) change in the relative δ³⁰Si of opal samples whenever the difference in preservation efficiency between them is >20%. This effect could account for 10–30% of the difference in diatom δ³⁰Si values observed between glacial and interglacial conditions. It is unlikely, however, that the inferred maximum possible change in δb³⁰SiO₂ of +0.55‰ would be manifested in situ, as a high mean percentage of dissolution would include complete loss of the more soluble members of the diatom assemblage.     

Comparison of numerical formulations for the modeling of tensile loaded suction buckets

The tensile resistance of a suction bucket is investigated using three different numerical formulations. The first formulation utilizes the three-field u-p-U formulation accounting for solid and fluid displacements, u and U, as well as the pore-fluid pressure, p. The two other formulations comprise the simpler u-p formulation in its dynamic and quasi-static form, accounting only for solid displacement and pore-fluid pressure. As basis for comparison, the tensile resistance of a single suction bucket is investigated using a velocity-driven model for a wide range of velocities. It is found, that the quasi-static u-p formulation is sufficient for most relevant velocities.     

Distribution,Abundance and Domoic Acid Analysis of the Toxic Diatom Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudo-nitzschia</Emphasis> from the Chesapeake Bay

Very little research has been conducted on mid-Atlantic estuarine populations of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia despite recent evidence of toxicity in regional isolates. We collected field samples from the Chesapeake Bay region from 2002 to 2007 for Pseudo-nitzschia enumeration and toxin analysis. Abundances of Pseudo-nitzschia were highest in the winter and spring at ∼10³ cells ml⁻¹. Domoic acid (DA) was detectable in 42% of samples tested, but concentrations were generally low, ranging from 0 to 1,037 pg DA ml⁻¹ (mean 176 pg DA ml⁻¹), and DA cell quota ranged from <0.1 to 49.4 pg DA per cell (mean 1.4 pg DA per cell). Although Pseudo-nitzschia populations were observed year round when salinity was ≥5, populations were highest from February to May when temperatures were low (2–15°C) and salinity relatively high (≥10). Six species of Pseudo-nitzschia were identified via transmission electron microscopy of the samples: P. pungens (Grunow ex Cleve) Hasle, P. calliantha Lundholm, Moestrup et Hasle, P. subpacifica (Hasle) Hasle, P. cuspidata (Hasle) Hasle emend. Lundholm, Moestrup et Hasle, P. fraudulenta (Cleve) Hasle and P. multiseries (Hasle) Hasle. P. calliantha was the most common and not previously reported from the Chesapeake Bay. Of these species, P. pungens, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. fraudulenta and P. multiseries are known to produce domoic acid.     

Quantitative measurement of the sea ice diatom biomarker IP25 and sterols in Arctic sea ice and underlying sediments: Further considerations for palaeo sea ice reconstruction

The lipid content of sea ice samples collected in 2011 and 2012 from Resolute Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was measured and compared with related samples obtained from the Amundsen Gulf in 2008. The highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) sea ice biomarker, IP₂₅, was found in sea ice samples from each study, consistent with its formation by diatoms during the spring bloom. Our analysis also revealed the occurrence of a number of sterols in Arctic sea ice and these were rigorously identified and quantified for the first time. Concentrations of IP₂₅ and sterols exhibited some variability between sampling studies, with somewhat higher values in samples from Resolute in 2012 than for the other two datasets, consistent with a general increase in biomass; however, major differences in biomarker concentration between sampling studies were not observed. An estimate of the proportion of Arctic sea ice diatoms that produce IP₂₅ (ca. 1–5%) was obtained by comparison of the concentration of IP₂₅ in the samples with those in laboratory cultures of known HBI-producing diatoms and cell enumeration in selected sea ice samples. The estimate is similar to the proportion of Haslea spp. in the same samples, providing further support to the suggestion that at least some species of the Haslea genus may be responsible for the biosynthesis of IP₂₅ and related HBI diatom lipids in Arctic sea ice and that IP₂₅ is made by a relatively small proportion of sea ice diatoms. In contrast, median sterol/IP₂₅ values were all substantially higher than those in cultures of HBI-producing diatoms, suggesting that sterols are made by the majority of sea ice diatoms. The sterol/IP₂₅ ratio was quite variable between locations and samples, likely as a result of differences in diatom assemblage; however, a comparison of individual and median sterol/IP₂₅ values in sea ice with those from surface sediments from different Arctic regions demonstrated that sterols from sea ice diatoms may, in some cases, have a significant impact on the sedimentary budget. This should be considered carefully for quantitative estimates of palaeo sea ice reconstruction using methods such as the PIP₂₅ index, which are based on the relative concentrations of IP₂₅ and sterols in Arctic marine sediment cores.     

Changes in the Abundance and Species Composition of Phytoplankton in the Last 150 Years in the Southern Black Sea

Changes in total abundance and in species composition of phytoplankton in the last 150 years in the southern Black Sea were investigated through a paleoecological study of two sediment cores. The results show changes in the species composition and a marked increase in total abundance of siliceous protists after around 1960. In core 22 (42°13.534′ N/36°29.555′ E), the dominating species before 1960 were Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana and Thalassiosira oestrupii. In core 25 (42°6.212′ N/36°37.460′ E), the dominating species before 1960 were T. oestrupii, Cyclotella meneghiniana, C. choctawhatcheeana, and Pseudosolenia cf. calcar-avis. Core 22 was located in closer proximity to the rim current than core 25, and the differences in total abundance between the cores could be related to differences in local nutrient loading prior to 1960. After around 1960, both cores changed to a community dominated by C. choctawhatcheeana. The changes in total abundance and species composition after around 1960 could be related to the increased nutrient loading from the Danube River into the rim current after the late 1960s. The results also showed changes in both total abundance and in species composition of dinoflagellate cysts. The dominating dinoflagellate cysts recorded were Lingulodinium polyedrum, Polykrikos schwartzii, and Spiniferites spp.     

Neogene diatoms from the Sandy Ridge section, Alaska Peninsula: Significance for stratigraphic and paleogeographic reconstructions

Fossil diatoms from the Milky River Formation of the Sandy Ridge section, Alaska Peninsula are analyzed. Data on stratigraphic distribution of diatoms and silicoflagellates are presented. Based on presence of stratigraphically important forms (Neodenticula kamtschatica, Thalassiosira oestrupii, Cosmiodiscus insignis), the assemblages studied are correlated with the North Pacific Cenozoic diatom zones. An assemblage similar to that of subzone “b” of the Neodenticula kamtschatica Zone (Barron and Gladenkov, 1995) indicates the latest Miocene-initial early Pliocene (5.5-4.8 Ma) age of its host deposits. Additional species of biostratigraphic importance (Thalassiosira temperei, Th. latimarginata, and others) refine ages of different parts of the section. In particular, age of stratigraphically lowest beds bearing Astarte (mollusks valuable for establishing the Bering Strait opening) were dated at 5.5-5.4 Ma. Some paleogeographic inferences are made from analysis of composition of the diatom assemblages.     

Quantitative relationship between surface sedimentary diatoms and water depth in North-Central Bohai Bay,China

To study the quantitative relationship between surface sedimentary diatoms and water depth, 67 surface samples were collected for diatom analysis on eight profiles with water depth variation from the muddy intertidal zone to the shallow sea area in North-Central Bohai Bay, China. The results showed that the distribution of diatoms changed significantly in response to the change in water depth. Furthermore, the quantitative relationship between the distribution of dominant diatom species, their a...     

Occurrence of gorgosterol in diatoms of the genus Delphineis

The presence of the C₃₀ sterol gorgosterol (22,23-methylene-23,24-dimethylcholest-5-en-3ß-ol) and its analogues in some marine and freshwater environments is generally associated with invertebrate animals or dinoflagellates since there have been no reports of them in other microalgal classes. Here we show that two unialgal cultures of different species of the marine diatom Delphineis contain gorgosterol in addition to sterols more commonly found in diatoms. Our findings suggest that some reports of gorgosterol in seawater and marine sediments may well have an origin, at least in part, from diatoms.     

Main Species Characteristics of Phytoplankton Spring Blooms in NE Atlantic and Arctic Waters (68–80° N)

A compilation of phytoplankton species abundance data from the spring bloom along the northern Norwegian coast and in the Barents Sea shows that the quantitatively most important species are the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii and the common cold water to temperate diatoms Chaetoceros socialis, Skeletonema costatum sensu lato, Fragilariopsis oceanica, Thalassiosira spp., Chaetoceros furcellatus, Chaetoceros compressus, Chaetoceros debilis and Bacterosira bathyomphala. The relative abundance of diatoms and Phaeocystis varied highly and apparently stochastically between years. P. pouchetii occurred during all stages of the spring bloom and sometimes completely dominated the phytoplankton community. Along the Norwegian coast, the importance of P. pouchetii increased northwards. The species composition in coastal fjords at 70° N is surprisingly similar to that of shelf waters in the Barents Sea (up to 80° N). An exception is S. costatum sensu lato which was seldom observed in Arctic waters. Small flagellates (<10 μm) other than dinoflagellates and P. pouchetii are also important among the Barents Sea spring phytoplankton. Associations of species seem rigid over time and are dominated by C. socialis and P. pouchetii in northern waters. Biogeographical categories of spring bloom species in relation to environmental conditions are discussed.     

A comparison of phytoplankton assemblages and environmental relationships in three estuarine rivers of the lower Chesapeake Bay

A 16-month data set of phytoplankton assemblages and environmental parameters were studied in the lower James, York (-Pamunkey), and Rappahannock rivers using several exploratory statistical approaches. Based on species composition and river station relationships, three site groups were established and subsequently identified as predominantly tidal fresh, oligo-mesohaline, and mesohaline sites. Phytoplankton assemblages within these rivers were influenced and subsequently augmented by the onset of the spring freshet which was different in 1986 and 1987. Five temporal assemblages of phytoplankters were also identified and designated into seasonal groupings of spring 1986, summer-fall, summer-winter, fall-winter, and winter-spring 1987. Discriminant analysis (MANOVA) evaluations were made for water quality parameters to site and seasonal phytoplankton assemblages and these relationships are discussed. Moving downstream along an oligohaline-mesohaline gradient, the nitrogen and phosphorus levels decreased and the phytoplankton composition was more similar at several corresponding site locations in the different rivers than at stations relatively close to each other in the same river. Within these data sets approximately 58% of the explained variance was associated with site (spatial) effects, 30% with temporal effects, and 12% with site-temporal interactions. A transition from dominant bloom-producing freshwater diatoms to estuarine species occurs from the tidally influenced freshwater zone downstream. This change may be rapid as the decline ofSkeletonema potamos, or more gradual, as withCyclotella striata andCyclotella meneghiania. These are replaced downstream bySkeletonema costatum, Cyclotella caspia, andLeptocylindrus minimus as dominant species.