Driving factors behind the distribution of dinocyst composition and abundance in surface sediments in a western Mediterranean coastal lagoon: Report from a high resolution mapping study

Species composition and abundance of dinocysts in relation to environmental factors were studied at 123 stations of surface sediment in Bizerte Lagoon. Forty-eight dinocyst types were identified, mainly dominated by Brigantidinium simplex, Votadinum spinosum, Alexandrium pseudogonyaulax, Alexandrium catenella, and Lingulodinum machaerophorum along with many round brown cysts and spiny round brown cysts. Cysts ranged from 1276 to 20126 cysts g⁻¹ dry weight sediment. Significant differences in cyst distribution pattern were recorded among the zones, with a higher cyst abundance occurring in the lagoon’s inner areas. Redundancy analyses showed two distinct associations of dinocysts according to location and environmental variables. Ballast water discharges are potential introducers of non-indigenous species, especially harmful ones such as A. catenella and Polysphaeridium zoharyi, with currents playing a pivotal role in cyst distribution. Findings concerning harmful cyst species indicate potential seedbeds for initiation of future blooms and outbreaks of potentially toxic species in the lagoon.     

High cyst concentrations of the potentially toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense species complex in Bedford Basin,Halifax, Nova Scotia,Canada

We report a large cyst bed of the potentially toxic and bloom-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense species complex in bottom sediments from the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The average cyst concentrations of that species ranged from 4033 ± 2647 to 220 872 ± 148 086 cysts g^?1 of dry sediments and the highest concentrations were found near ship terminals in Bedford Basin. Although this species is endemic to this region, our work strongly suggests that some of the cysts of A. tamarense species complex found in the port of Halifax were introduced through discharged ballast water and sediments.     

Field observations on correlation of fatty acid profiles between suspended particulate matter and green-lipped mussels in subtropical waters of Hong Kong

By analysis of the fatty acid profiles in mussel tissues and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in water, the present study showed a significant relationship of the trophic linkage between mussels and the SPM. At seven locations from inner to outer areas along the eutrophic Tolo Harbour and Tolo Channel, Hong Kong, the composition (as percentage of total fatty acids) of both monoenoic and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tissues of green-lipped mussels Perna viridis and SPM in water had significant correlation (p < 0.01). In particular, the composition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3) (as percentage of total fatty acids) in mussel tissues was statistically correlated with that in SPM (p < 0.01), implying that mussels incorporate DHA, the biomarker of dinoflagellates. Principal component analysis further demonstrated that the fatty acid profiles of SPM were different among locations in the harbour, mid and outer channel of the study area, so were the mussel tissue fatty acid profiles. Cluster analysis of phytoplankton data also revealed the dominance of diatoms in the inner harbour and channel areas, whereas dinoflagellates were abundant in the outer channel waters. The possible implications of using benthic suspension feeders such as green-lipped mussels P. viridis for controlling phytoplankton abundance in coastal waters are discussed.     

Contrasting key roles of Ruppia cirrhosa in a southern Mediterranean lagoon: Reservoir for both biodiversity and harmful species and indicator of lagoon health status

The distribution of Ruppia cirrhosa meadow density and its epiphytic organisms in relation with environmental factors were studied in summer 2011 at five stations in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (GML; southern Mediterranean Sea). Eleven epiphytic groups were recognised among which diatoms and dinoflagellates were the dominant groups and greatest contributors to temporal dissimilarity. An overwhelming concentrations of harmful microalgae was recorded, mainly represented by the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima with maximal concentrations attaining 6 × 10⁵ cells 100 g⁻¹ of Ruppia fresh weight. The epifauna community accounted for only 1.4% of total epiphyte abundance and was comprised predominantly of nematodes (47.51%), ciliates (32.59%), fish eggs (7.2%) and larvae (4.95%). PERMANOVA analyses revealed a significant spatio-temporal variation of all epiphytic groups (p < 0.01). In this study, R. cirrhosa and its epiphytes were studied as potential early warning indicators of the health status of GML waters.     

Minor element and Ca isotope composition of calcareous dinoflagellate cysts of cultured Thoracosphaera heimii

We investigated the influences of temperature, salinity and pH on the calcium isotope as well as trace and minor element (uranium, strontium, magnesium) to Ca ratios on calcium carbonate cysts of the calcareous dinoflagellate species Thoracosphaera heimii grown in laboratory cultures. The natural habitat of this species is the photic zone (preferentially at the chlorophyll maximum depth) of temperate to tropical oceans, and it is abundant in deep-sea sediments over the entire Cenozoic. In our experiments, temperatures ranged from 12 to 30 °C, salinity from 36.5 to 38.8 and pH from 7.9 to 8.4. The δ^44/40Ca of T. heimii cysts resembles that of other marine calcifiers, including coccolithophores, foraminifers and corals. However, its temperature sensitivity is considerably smaller and statistically insignificant, and T. heimii might serve as a recorder of changes in seawater δ^44/40Ca over geologic time. The Sr/Ca ratios of T. heimii cysts show a pronounced temperature sensitivity (0.016 mmol/mol °C^? 1) and have the potential to serve as a palaeo-sea surface temperature proxy. No clear temperature- and pH-dependences were observed for Mg/Ca. U/Ca seems to be influenced by temperature and pH, but the correlations change sign at 23 °C and pH 8.2, respectively.     

The distribution of heavy metals including Pb,Cd and Cr in Kendari Bay surficial sediments

The surficial coastal sediments in Kendari Bay are sampled in the field to determine the concentration and pollution level of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr). Twenty-five sampling points ranging from the inner (Wanggu River) to the outer area of the bay have been chosen. The physicochemical properties, such as temperature, pH, salinity and TDS of the overlying water, as well as the sediment type and TOC of the surficial sediments, are also measured. The total concentrations of the Pb, Cd and Cr in the sediment samples are quantified using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) ranged from 0.84 to 17.02 μg/g, 0.02 to 0.17 μg/g and 1.92 to 40.11 μg/g (dry weight), respectively, following the Cr > Pb > Cd sequence. To assess the degree of contamination, a geoaccumulation index (I_geo) is measured. Kendari Bay is not a contaminated area regarding Pb, Cd and Cr.     

Assessment of tributyltin contamination in a shipyard area using a mussel transplantation approach

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were transplanted to seven stations around a large shipyard for 126 days to evaluate tributyltin (TBT) contamination. Although the application of TBT-based paints to ships is totally banned in Korea, butyltin compounds were found to accumulate in mussels following transplantation. Concentrations of TBT and total butyltins in transplanted mussels near the shipyard were in the range of 40–350 ng Sn/g and 74–530 ng Sn/g on a dry weight basis, respectively. Obviously, low TBT concentrations (6.0–53 ng Sn/g dw) were determined in mussels at four stations outside the shipyard. A negative gradient of TBT concentrations and TBT portion to total butyltin concentrations were found in both the surface water and transplanted mussels according to distance from the shipyard. In addition, TBT concentrations in surface water and transplanted mussels showed significant correlation (r² = 0.71; p < 0.001). These results indicate that the shipyard still releases fresh TBT into surrounding waters even after TBT regulation in Korea, and mussel transplantation is useful in evaluating TBT contamination in shipyard area.     

Glacial–interglacial sediment transport to the Meiji Drift,northwest Pacific Ocean: Evidence for timing of Beringian outwashing

A large sediment deposit known as the Meiji Drift, located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, is thought to have formed from deep water exiting the Bering Sea, although no notable deep water forms there presently. We determine the terrigenous sources since 140 ka to the drift using bulk sediment ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar and Nd isotopic analyses on the silt-sized (20–63 μm) terrigenous fraction from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 884 to reconstruct paleo-circulation patterns. There are large changes in both isotopic tracers, varying on glacial–interglacial cycles. During glacial intervals, bulk sediment ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages range between 40 and 80 Ma, while Nd isotopic values range from ε_Nd = ? 1 to + 2. During interglacial intervals, sediments become much younger and more radiogenic, with bulk sediment ages falling to 2–15 Ma and Nd isotopic values ranging between ε_Nd = + 5 and + 9. These data and quantitative comparison to potential source rocks indicate that the young Kamchatkan and Aleutian Arcs, lying NW and NE of the Meiji Drift, contribute the majority of sediment during interglacials. Conversely, older source rocks, such as those drained by the Yukon River and northeast Russia are the dominant origin of sediments during glacials. Mixing model calculations suggest that as much as 35–45% of the sediment deposited in the Meiji Drift during glacials is from the Bering Sea. It remains unclear whether thermohaline-type circulation or focussing of Bering Sea flow lead to the glacial–interglacial sediment source changes observed here.     

On the tidal heating of Enceladus

Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, shows significant volcanic activity identified by the Cassini spacecraft. The aim of the present study is to investigate – with the adaptation of mathematical tools used in geodynamics – the extent of tidal heating due to the mean motion resonance with Dione. For the purpose of calculations a two-layer model of Enceladus was used. The inner part of the model is a “rocky core” with a relative radius 0.55, while the outer part is composed of water ice. The results of model calculations show that the effective tidal heating is not uniformly distributed within Enceladus. It was found for the selected model of Enceladus, that the tidal heating is maximum within the depth interval (25–75) km. Due to the inhomogeneity within Enceladus, 85% of the tidal energy is generated in a volume that contains just 39% of its mass. In time intervals of 3.0 × 10⁸ and 5.3 × 10⁸ years the temperature increase in the relative depth range 0.70 ≤ r/a_E ≤ 0.90 is approximately 270 and 370 K, respectively.     

Spatial and seasonal variability of sediment oxygen consumption and nutrient fluxes at the sediment water interface in a sub-tropical lagoon (New Caledonia)

In order to quantify the spatial and seasonal variations of sediment oxygen consumption and nutrient fluxes, we performed a spatial survey in the south west lagoon of New Caledonia during the two major seasons (dry and wet) based on a network of 11 sampling stations. Stations were selected along two barrier reef to land transects representing most types of sediments encountered in the lagoon. Fluxes were measured using ex-situ sediment incubations and compared to sediment characteristics. Sediment oxygen consumption (SOC) varied between 500 and 2000 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹, depending on season and stations. Nutrient effluxes from sediment were highly variable with highest fluxes measured in muddy sediments near the coast. Inter-sample variability was as high as seasonal differences so that no seasonally driven temperature effect could be observed on benthic nutrient fluxes in our temperature range. Nutrient fluxes, generally directed from the sediment to the water column, varied between −5.0 and 70.0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ for ammonia and between −2.5 and +12.5 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ for PO₄ and NO₂₊₃. SOC and nutrient fluxes were compared to pelagic primary production rates in order to highlight the tight coupling existing between the benthic and pelagic compartments in this shallow tropical lagoon. Under specific occasions of low pelagic productivity, oxygen sediment consumption and related carbon and nutrient fluxes could balance nearly all net primary production in the lagoon. These biogeochemical estimates point to the functional importance of sediment biogeochemistry in the lagoon of New Caledonia.     

Planktic foraminiferal production along an offshore–onshore transect in the south-eastern Bay of Biscay

The distribution of planktic foraminifera from the continental slope onto the shelf of the south-eastern Bay of Biscay is discussed in relation to environmental factors. Samples were obtained between March and November, 2006–2008, along a bathymetric transect from 2000 to 145 m water depth, from 50 km off the shelf-break onto the outer shelf. Live specimens and empty tests (>100 μm) were collected with vertical plankton tows from the sea surface to a maximum water depth of 700 m, and temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, and fluorescence/chlorophyll-a concentration were recorded. Additional data on chlorophyll-a concentration and sea surface temperature were derived from satellite imagery (Aqua MODIS and SeaWIFS). Planktic foraminifera were most abundant in the upper 80 m of the water column at all locations, with decreasing numbers towards the coast in March, April, and June. In November, maximum numbers of live specimens occurred at the outer shelf location. In July, planktic foraminiferal standing stocks were low throughout the sampling area.Chlorophyll-a concentration (i.e., food) and fresh water input were found to affect the abundance of planktic foraminifera along the transect; however we found no influence of water depth or proximity to the shelf.     

Environmental behavior of organotin compounds in the coastal environment of Xiamen,China

In 2006, organotins pollution were investigated in the coastal environment of Xiamen, China. Six species of organotin compounds including tributyltin, triphenyltin and their degradation compounds were quantified in the dissolved and particulate phases of the water, and in the sediment using GC-FPD. The concentrations of organotin compounds ranged from 2.2 to 160 ng (Sn) L⁻¹ dissolved in the water, 0.14–6.7 ng (Sn) L⁻¹ in suspended particulate matter and nd ∼ 26 ng (Sn) g⁻¹ (dry weight) in the sediment. The highest concentration of total organotin or tributyltin in water was found in a shipyard and at a station near the inlet of the harbor, indicating fresh inputs of antifouling paints to Xiamen’s coastal environment. Organotin speciation was performed on sediment cores to investigate contamination trends over the past ten years in the harbor. The results of ²¹⁰Pb dating indicated that Xiamen western harbor suffered contamination during 2000. The environmental behavior of organotins such as the enhancement of the microlayer, partitioning between water/suspended particulate matter and between water/sediment are also discussed in this paper.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal water,surface sediment and mullet Liza klunzingeri from northern part of Hormuz strait (Persian Gulf)

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in mullet (Liza klunzingeri), water and sediment from northern part of Hormuz strait (Persian Gulf). The concentration levels of total PAHs in L. klunzingeri, water and sediment were 133.99–268.57 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, 3.12–5.88 ng l⁻¹ and 42.29–228.9 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. Based on isomer ratios, analysis of the PAHs source in the sediment demonstrated that the PAHs come from pyrogenic and petrogenic origin. Risk assessment showed PAHs threshold concentrations to occasionally be exceeded in the study area.     

Fine-sediment transport associated with cold-front passages on the shallow shelf,Gulf of Mexico

The eastern part of the chenier plain of the Louisiana coast has been prograding seaward over the last few decades while much of the rest of the Louisiana coast is experiencing high erosion rates. The source of sediment is the Atchafalaya River, which has been delivering sediment to the coastal ocean since the 1940s. Researchers have suggested that the repeated passage of cold fronts during winter and early spring plays an important role in delivering sediment to the coast. A sediment-transport study on the Atchafalaya coast was conducted between October 1997 and March 2001, which included several field experiments in early March, the period of high discharge from the Atchafalaya and frequent cold-front activity. A combination of shipboard profiling and time-series measurements from a bottom tripod and array of wave sensors on the inner shelf has resulted in a data set that illustrates the mechanism of onshore transport. For a cold-front passage sampled in 2001, during pre-front conditions, sediment is resuspended and mixed throughout the water column, with transport rates onshore and to the west of 53 and 184 g s⁻¹ m⁻¹, respectively. Post-front conditions also result in onshore transport due to onshore flow (upwelling) in the lower meter of the water column and formation of a high-concentration bottom layer. Post-front onshore transport rates are 32 g s⁻¹ m⁻¹ and most of the transport occurs in the bottom meter of the water column. The repeated cycling of cold-front passages leads to a positive feedback with transport onshore during both pre- and post-front conditions, and effective attenuation of wave energy over the muddy inner shelf inhibits erosion at the coast. Thus, the chenier-plain coast is experiencing high progradation rates (up to 29 m yr⁻¹), while most of the Gulf coast is eroding.     

Amelioration of marine farming impact on the benthic environment using artificial reefs as biofilters

An in situ monitoring of the sediment characteristics and macrobenthic communities was undertaken at a marine fish culture site in subtropical waters of Hong Kong before and after the deployment of biofilters which were made of cement concrete artificial reef (AR) structures. According to the distance to the boundary of the fish cages, 6 points were selected as sampling stations: 2 at the fish cages, 2 near the boundary of the fish culture area, and 2 reference sites further away from the culture area. Bimonthly sediment samples were collected for analysis of silt-clay fraction (SCF), moisture content (MC), total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP). The macrobenthos (>0.5 mm) present in the sediment were sorted, identified and enumerated. TOC, TKN and TP levels at the fish cage stations were consistently higher than those at the reference stations over the 1-year pre-AR and 2-year post-AR deployment monitoring period. The diversity of macrofauna was significantly reduced at the fish cage stations relative to the reference sites. The intermediary stations near the fish culture area showed a transitional state of disturbance. Over the 2-year post-AR deployment period, TOC, TKN and TP showed a decreasing trend at the fish cage and intermediary stations. More diverse macrofaunal communities were recorded at the fish cage stations, with species diversity H′increasing from 0–1 at the beginning of the AR deployment to H′ > 2 at the end of the study. The present results demonstrated that artificial reefs can improve the benthic abiotic environment and biotic conditions beneath fish rafts which are deteriorated due to farming activities.     

Spatial distribution and ecology of the Recent Ostracoda from Tangra Yumco and adjacent waters on the southern Tibetan Plateau: A key to palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

We elucidate the ecology of Recent Ostracoda from a deep brackish lake, Tangra Yumco (30°45′—31°22′N and 86°23′—86°49′E, 4595 m a.s.l.) and adjacent waters on the southern Tibetan Plateau. Ostracod associations (living and empty valves) in sixty-six sediment samples collected from diverse aquatic habitats (lakes, estuary-like water and lagoon-like water waters, rivers, ponds and springs) were quantitatively assessed.Eleven Recent Ostracoda were found (nine living and two as empty valves only). Cluster analysis established two significant (p < 0.05) habitat specific associations; (i) Leucocytherella sinensis, Limnocythere inopinata, Leucocythere? dorsotuberosa, Fabaeformiscandona gyirongensis and Candona xizangensis are lacustrine fauna. (ii) Tonnacypris gyirongensis, Candona candida, Ilyocypris sp., Heterocypris incongruens and Heterocypris salina are temporary water species.Ostracod distribution and abundance are significantly (p < 0.05) correlated to physico-chemical variables. The first two axes of a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) explain 30.9% of the variation in the species abundance data. Conductivity and habitat types are the most influential ecological factors explaining the presence and abundance of ostracods. Spearman correlation analysis reveals that: (i) Two species, L.? dorsotuberosa (r = 0.25) and L. inopinata (r = 0.36) have a significant positive correlation with conductivity while one species, T. gyirongensis (r = −0.68) displays a significant negative correlation with conductivity. Limnocythere inopinata correlates significantly positive (r = 0.37) with alkalinity. Fabaeformiscandona gyirongensis correlates significantly positive (r = 0.28) with water depth.Key indicator living assemblages are: (i) L. sinensis dominates Ca-depleted brackish waters although ubiquitously distributed; (ii) L.? dorsotuberosa dwells in fresh to brackish waters; (iii) L. inopinata predominates in mesohaline to polyhaline waters; (iv) F. gyirongensis inhabits exclusively brackish-lacustrine deeper waters; (v) C. candida populates freshwaters; (vi) T. gyirongensis and Ilyocypris sp. are restricted to shallow temporary waters; (vii) H. incongruens occurs in ponds.Water depth indicators are F. gyirongensis and L.? dorsotuberosa, useful in ostracod assemblages for palaeo-water depth reconstruction.Our results expand the knowledge of the ecological significance of Recent Tibetan Ostracoda ecology. This is a new insight on habitat chacteristics of both living assemblages and sub-Recent associations of ostracods in mountain aquatic ecosystems. The new modern ostracod dataset can be used for the quantitative reconstruction of past environmental variables (e.g., conductivity) and types of water environment. The key indicator ostracods are relevant in palaeolimnological and climate research on the Tibetan Plateau.     

Content and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments from the northern Bering Sea,Chukchi Sea and adjacent Arctic areas

Concentrations of trace metals (Zn, Cr, Cu, V, Cd and Pb), total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC) and their granulometry were examined in 25 surface sediment samples from the northern Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and adjacent areas. Trace metal concentrations in the sediments varied from 21.06–168.21 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn, 8.91–46.94 mg kg⁻¹ for Cr, 2.69–49.39 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu, 32.46–185.54 mg kg⁻¹ for V, 0.09–0.92 mg kg⁻¹ for Cd, and 0.95–15.25 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) indicated that trace metal contamination (Zn and Cd) existed in some stations of the study area. The distribution of grain size plays an important role in influencing the distribution of trace metals (Zn, Cr, Cu, V, and Pb) in sediments from the Chukchi Sea and adjacent areas.     

On the comparison of tidal gravity parameters with tidal models in central Europe

Two accurately calibrated superconducting gravimeters (SGs) provide high quality tidal gravity records in three central European stations: C025 in Vienna and at Conrad observatory (A) and OSG050 in Pecný (CZ). To correct the tidal gravity factors from ocean loading effects we compared the load vectors from different ocean tides models (OTMs) computed with different software: OLFG/OLMP by the Free Ocean Tides Loading Provider (FLP), ICET and NLOADF. Even with the recent OTMs the mass conservation is critical but the methods used to correct the mass imbalance agree within 0.1 nm/s². Although the different software agrees, FLP probably provides more accurate computations as this software has been optimised. For our final computation we used the mean load vector computed by FLP for 8 OTMs (CSR4, NAO99, GOT00, TPX07, FES04, DTU10, EOT11a and HAMTIDE). The corrected tidal factors of the 3 stations agree better than 0.04% in amplitude and 0.02° in phase. Considering the weighted mean of the three stations we get for O1 δ_c = 1.1535 ± 0.0001, for K1 δ_c = 1.1352 ± 0.0003 and for M2 δ_c = 1.1621 ± 0.0003. These values confirm previous ones obtained with 16 European stations. The theoretical body tides model DDW99/NH provides the best agreement for M2 (1.1620) and MATH01/NH for O1 (1.1540) and K1 (1.1350). The largest discrepancy is for O1 (0.05%). The corrected phase α_c does not differ significantly from zero except for K1 and S2. The calibrations of the two SG's are consistent within 0.025% and agree with Strasbourg results within 0.05%.     

Dinoflagellate cysts in recent marine sediments from Thermaikos Gulf, Greece: Effects of resuspension events on vertical cyst distribution

A qualitative and semi-quantitative study of recent dinoflagellate cysts has been undertaken in the NW part of Aegean Sea, Thermaikos Gulf (Eastern Mediteranean), before (September 2001), during (October 2001) and after 120 days (February 2002) of intensive trawling activities. This is the first survey of recent dinoflagellate cysts from Greek marine coastal environments. Sediment samples were collected with a corer and the vertical distribution of the cysts was studied at five different layers, from 0 to 10 cm. Dinoflagellate cysts were both abundant and diverse. Cysts were found over the whole sampling area and periods, with concentrations ranging between 247–3202 cysts cm⁻³. Thirty-six cyst types were encountered, of which 32 were identified to species level, representing 12 genera. It seems that significant local resuspension, related to the onset of the trawling period and stirring up of the sediment, contributed to mixing of the upper layers, resulting to more homogenous cyst profiles in the sediment. Viable cysts constituted 16–60% of the total cyst abundance. The abundance peaks of viable cysts within the subsurface sediment layers, observed during the undisturbed period, disappeared during October. In February, the reduction of cyst concentration was associated to a loss of viable cysts, whilst the ratio of viable/empty cysts ranged between 0.30 and 0.67. The abundance of the different dinoflagellate species, in their active form, was monitored in order to detect any relationship between the concentration of cysts in the top 10 cm of sediment and blooms of algae in the water column. Cysts of potentially toxic species, causing Paralitic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), such as Alexandrium cf. tamarense, A. cf. affine, A. cf. minutum, as well as Gymnodinium catenatum, were detected in the cyst survey.     

Influence of nitrate and dissolved organic carbon loading on the interaction of Microcystis aeruginosa and heterotrophic bacteria from hyper-eutrophic lake (Taihu Lake,China)

To investigate the interaction between cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria under gradients of glucose and nitrate, a cyanobacterial strain of Microcystis aeruginosa was grown in microcosms with and without a freshwater bacterial mixture, which was collected from Lake Taihu. Concentrations of glucose (1350, 975, 600, 300, 150, and 37.5 μmol C L⁻¹) and nitrate (150, 300, and 9000 μmol N L⁻¹) were used in a range of combinations giving 9 different treatments of glucose:nitrate. In the microcosm without the bacterial mixture, M. aeruginosa abundance gradually increased with days in all treatments. However, M. aeruginosa had much lower density in some treatments with the bacterial mixture. The difference in M. aeruginosa growth could be explained by competition with bacteria in the cultures in which these were added. The abundance of M. aeruginosa and bacteria when grown together was nearly equal and the number of the bacterial species was highest in the treatment with 300 μmol C L⁻¹ and 150 μmol N L⁻¹. Our results suggest that at this glucose:nitrate ratio M. aeruginosa and the bacterial mixture maintain a balance, and bacteria maintain diversity. In conclusion, we propose that dissolved organic carbon and nitrate availability fundamentally affects the structure as well as stoichiometry of pelagic associations.