Enhanced red fluorescence emission in the oxygen minimum zone of the Arabian Sea

 Depth profiles of fluorescence at several excitation and emission wavelengths were measured along with CTD data during the cruise So119 of RV Sonne in the Arabian Sea from 12 May to 10 June 1997. In addition to chlorophyll fluorescence from phytoplankton in the near-surface layer, the profiles in the oxygen minimum region well below the euphotic zone show enhanced red fluorescence. Red fluorescence intensity is inversely related to the oxygen concentration in intermediate and deep waters. A relationship to characteristic water masses of the region cannot be found in the data, and this holds also with chemical data such as DOC. Absorbance spectra of water samples taken in the oxygen minimum zone show an absorption band at 420 nm wavelength with about 50 nm bandwidth, much weaker than gelbstoff absorbance in the same wavelength range. The absorption band remains stable after sample filtration with 0.45 μm glass fibre filters. Hence, the size of the absorbing matter is in the range of dissolved molecules or particles much smaller than 1 μm. Fluorescence spectra of unfiltered samples with 420 nm excitation show a weak emission band at 600 nm and a more pronounced one at 660 nm wavelength. The trailing edge of the 660 nm band falls into the range of chlorophyll emission, thus giving rise to the observed depth profiles of red fluorescence in the oxygen minimum zone. Red fluorescence measured on samples remain stable during a few hours after sampling even in the presence of oxygen. It is not detectable after several weeks of sample storage in the dark and cannot be reproduced even after depletion of dissolved oxygen. Received: 22 May 2002 / Accepted: 18 February 2003 Responsible Editor: Andreas Oschlies Acknowledgements. This work was supported by a grant from the Federal Minister of Education and Technology, Bonn, within the frame work of the JGOFS Arabian Sea program. We are grateful to the captain and the crew of RV Sonne for their support. We are indebted to Mrs. Kirsten Neumann from the Institute of Marine Chemistry and Biogeochemistry of the University of Hamburg for providing the oxygen data, and to Mr. Nikolai Delling from the same institute for making the DOC and chlorophyll data available to us.     

Vertical distributions of chlorophyll in deep, warm monomictic lakes

The factors affecting vertical distributions of chlorophyll fluorescence were examined in four temperate, warm monomictic lakes. Each of the lakes (maximum depth >80 m) was sampled over 2 years at intervals from monthly to seasonal. Profiles were taken of chlorophyll fluorescence (as a proxy for algal biomass), temperature and irradiance, as well as integrated samples from the surface mixed layer for chlorophyll a (chl a) and nutrient concentrations in each lake. Depth profiles of chlorophyll fluorescence were also made along transects of the longest axis of each lake. Chlorophyll fluorescence maxima occurred at depths closely correlated with euphotic depth (r ² = 0.67, P < 0.01), which varied with nutrient status of the lakes. While seasonal thermal density stratification is a prerequisite for the existence of a deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), our study provides evidence that the depth of light penetration largely dictates the DCM depth during stratification. Reduction in water clarity through eutrophication can cause a shift in phytoplankton distributions from a DCM in spring or summer to a surface chlorophyll maximum within the surface mixed layer when the depth of the euphotic zone (z _eu) is consistently shallower than the depth of the surface mixed layer (z _SML). Trophic status has a key role in determining vertical distributions of chlorophyll in the four lakes, but does not appear to disrupt the annual cycle of maximum chlorophyll in winter.     

Continuous Multi‐probe Measurements in Fastflowing Waters Using a Hydrographic Slot

Taking continuous spatiotemporal in situ measurements with multi‐probes in fast‐flowing waters/rivers can be problematic because the sensors may be damaged by high shear forces and flotsam. To protect the multi‐probe and to enable easy access for the maintenance and calibration of the sensors, a special multi‐probe holder fixed in a hydrographic slot was developed. The validation of the probe system revealed a “memory effect” at short time scales (< 10 s) within sharp gradients caused by the overflow container of the multi‐probe rack keeping the sensors submerged in the sample water. Continuously recorded data (conductivity, temperature, pH, oxygen concentration and saturation, as well as in vivo fluorescence of chlorophyll‐a) from a research cruise on board the RV ALBIS along the river Elbe (river km 309) and entering the river Saale are presented. This river stretch upstream of the city of Magdeburg to the mouth of the Saale tributary was found to have a complex physicochemical character, which is attributable to the long mixing process of water from the river Saale and the river Elbe.     

Factors affecting clarity of freshwater lakes in Brandenburg, Germany

In the German State Brandenburg, water clarity and the concentrations of the water quality components chlorophyll a, seston and gelbstoff were measured in 27 lakes. Correlation analysis showed, that spectral beam attenuation at 662 and 514 nm was mainly dependent on changes in chlorophyll a concentrations. In the UV-channel at 360 nm, beam attenuation depended mostly on gelbstoff.

Multiple linear regression provided a direct model of beam attenuation at 514 nm with the inputs of inorganic seston, chlorophyll a and gelbstoff. The specific beam attenuation coefficients were comparable to other natural waters around the world. An inverse model is presented, from which gelbstoff and chlorophyll a could be predicted with some accuracy from the inputs of beam attenuation coefficients at 514 and 360 nm. However, it became obvious that biological variability put major constraints on the predictive capacity of both the direct and the inverse model.

Furthermore, we observed a good correspondence of Secchi depth and the inverse of beam attenuation at 514 nm. The predictions of Secchi depth and chlorophyll a concentration from the inverse model were assessed in perspective of using this instrument instead of laborious chemical analysis for future trophic status classification according to LAWA (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser). Predictions of trophic status were principally good when using calibrated models, however, quality of classification critically depended on predictions of chlorophyll a.     

Monsoon driven changes in phytoplankton populations in the eastern Arabian Sea as revealed by microscopy and HPLC pigment analysis

Like the rest of the Arabian Sea, the west coast of India is subject to semi-annual wind reversals associated with the monsoon cycle that result in two periods of elevated phytoplankton productivity, one during the northeast (NE) monsoon (November–February) and the other during the southwest (SW) monsoon (June–September). Although the seasonality of phytoplankton biomass in these coastal waters is well known, the abundance and composition of phytoplankton populations associated with this distinct and predictable seasonal cycle is poorly known. Here we present for the first time, the results of a study on the community structure of phytoplankton for this region, derived from HPLC pigment analysis and microscopic cell counts. Our sampling strategy allowed for large spatial and temporal coverage over regions representative of the coastal and offshore waters, and over seasons that included the NE and the SW monsoon. Monthly observations at a fixed coastal station in particular, allowed us to follow changes in phytoplankton community structure associated with the development of anoxia. Together these measurements helped establish a pattern of seasonal change of three major groups of phytoplankton: diatoms, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria that appeared to be tightly coupled with hydrographic and chemical changes associated with the monsoonal cycle. During the SW monsoon when nitrate concentrations were high, diatoms were dominant but prymnesiophytes were present as well. By October, as nitrate fell to below detection levels and anoxic conditions began to develop on the shelf below the shallow pycnocline, both diatom and prymensiophytes declined sharply giving way to dinoflagellates. In the well oxygenated surface waters, where both nitrate and ammonium were below detection limits, pico-cyanobacterial populations became dominant.During the NE monsoon, a mixed diatom-dinoflagellate population was quickly replaced by blooms of Trichodesmium erythraeum and Noctiluca miliaris with higher amounts of zeaxanthin, β-carotene, Chl b and prasinoxanthin. Trichodesmium trichomes were noticed in the water column as early as December when nitrate concentrations became limiting. The low phytoplankton biomass and high ammonium concentrations argue that active grazing populations may be responsible for preventing diatom-dinoflagellate populations from establishing themselves to bloom proportions in the eastern Arabian Sea during the early NE monsoon. Trichodesmium continued its dominance well into May, when nutrient enrichment associated with its death and decay helped simulate the growth of both diatoms and dinoflagellates. Given that anoxic conditions are becoming more pervasive in the eastern Arabian Sea, our observations in particular, those of a shift towards dinoflagellate dominance during the development of anoxia assume particular importance.     

Deriving depths of deep chlorophyll maximum and water inherent optical properties: A regional model

The Bohai Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea with case-2 waters near the coast. A comprehensive set of optical data was collected during three cruises in June, August, and September 2005 in the Bohai Sea. The vertical profile measurements, such as chlorophyll concentration, water turbidity, downwelling irradiance, and diffuse attenuation coefficient, showed that the Bohai Sea was vertically stratified with a relative clear upper layer superimposed on a turbid lower layer. The upper layer was found to correspond to the euphotic zone and the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) occurs at the base of this layer. By tuning a semi-analytical model (24 and 25) for the Bohai Sea, we developed a method to derive water inherent optical properties and the depth of DCM from above-surface measurements. Assuming a ‘fake’ bottom in the stratified water, this new method retrieves the ‘fake’ bottom depth, which is highly correlated with the DCM depth. The average relative error between derived and measured values is 33.9% for phytoplankton absorption at 440 nm, 25.6% for colored detrital matter (detritus plus gelbstoff) absorption at 440 nm, and 24.2% for the DCM depth. This modified method can retrieve water inherent optical properties and monitor the depth of DCM in the Bohai Sea, and the method is also applicable to other stratified waters.     

Oceanographic frontal structure and biological production at an ice edge

Marginal ice edge zones (MIZ) are unique frontal systems with air-ice-sea interfaces. Phytoplankton blooms, which occur along the edge of the melting ice pack in spring, are strongly related to the air-ice-sea interactive processes. In spring 1982, during a cruise to the Bering Sea ice pack, hydrographic sections, including standard biological oceanographic parameters, were collected across the MIZ showing such enhanced phytoplankton bloom populations in the ice edge. During this period the ice edge retreated at speeds of 6 to 38 cm s^?1. Associated with the retreating ice edge were a faster moving upper layer oceanic front that kept pace with the retreating ice edge, and a nearly stationary deeper front. In the presence of light, the phytoplankton blooms are shown to be associated with, and primarily controlled by enhanced density stratification and frontal structure due to ice melt during the spring ice retreat. The ice melt water forms stratification that helps to maintain the phytoplankton within the photic zone. The ice edge blooms can be differentiated from open water blooms by the stratification mechanism; in MIZ blooms stratification is due to low salinity melt water as opposed to temperature derived stratification in most open water blooms. In addition, in the series of cross sections collected, a unique biophysical interaction was observed when the MIZ front moving north with the spring retreat, came in contact with a fixed shelf front forming a ‘dish’ shaped hydrographic structure within which a major phytoplankton bloom was observed. We suggest that upwelling from the tidally driven shelf front supplied nutrients to the surface waters extending the life of the bloom. Wind-driven ice edge upwelling was also observed but was difficult to distinguish from the shelf front circulation.In this same set of ice edge cross sections, a cold water mass was observed at the surface in the MIZ. This water mass was subsequently overridden by warmer water forming a cold tongue structure above the pycnocline and seaward of the shelf front. We suggest that this cold tongue was transient in nature, and illustrative of one mechanism by which the T-S characteristics of high latitude shelf waters are formed and altered.     

Spatio-temporal dynamics of suspended matter properties and bacterial communities in the back-barrier tidal flat system of Spiekeroog Island

Back-barrier tidal flat systems are characterized by basins and inlets through which water is exchanged with the coastal sea by tidal water movements. The hydrographic and morphometric properties at the inlets and in the basins vary considerably, but there is little information available how biogeochemical properties in the water column at these different sites respond to these differences. Therefore, we investigated tidal dynamics of suspended particulate matter (SPM), particulate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorophyll a, phaeopigments, numbers of particle-associated (PA) and free-living bacteria (FL), bacterial biomass production, and concentrations of dissolved manganese (Mn). Samples were taken at the surface, a mid-depth and 1 m above the bottom at a fixed station at the inlet and in the basin of the Spiekeroog back-barrier tidal flat system in the German Wadden Sea. Five tidal cycles representative for typical seasonal situations, January (winter), April and May (late spring bloom), July (summer), and November (late fall) were studied in 2005 and 2006. In July, processes related to phytoplankton dynamics and bacterial decomposition were much more enhanced in the basin, whereas in April, these processes were enhanced at the inlet but were particularly low within the basin itself. The low values within the basin were a result of the settled phytoplankton spring bloom and represent a rather short period at the decline of this bloom. In November and January, differences were much less pronounced than during the growing season and restricted mainly to SPM and PA bacteria, exhibiting higher values in the basin. FL bacteria, DOC, and dissolved Mn exhibited different patterns and much less differences between the two stations, indicating that biogeochemical processes in the dissolved phase were controlled by different factors than PA biogeochemical processes. These differences reflect the retentive properties of the basin for particles and PA biogeochemical processes, particularly during the growing season, and in general emphasize the high productivity of back-barrier tidal flat systems.     

Phytoplankton production and physiological adaptation on the southeastern shelf of the Agulhas ecosystem

An investigation of phytoplankton production and physiology was undertaken during two research cruises on the southeastern shelf of southern Africa. The data set included photosynthesis-irradiance and active fluorescence parameters, phytoplankton absorption coefficients and HPLC pigment concentrations. Primary production was estimated to vary over a similar range for both cruises within 0.27–3.69 g C m⁻² d⁻¹. Pigment indices indicated that diatoms were dominant on the first cruise and the communities were subject to conditions where the mixed layer was deeper than the euphotic zone and they optimized their photosynthesis to very low light intensities at the bottom and below the euphotic zone. Mixed diatom-flagellate populations were observed during the second cruise where the euphotic zone was deeper than the mixed layer and the populations adapted to irradiances higher in the euphotic zone. In response to a mean lower water column PAR, it was found that these mixed communities increased the proportion of chlorophyll a in the pigment pool and had a higher quantum yield of photochemistry and higher light-limited photosynthetic efficiency.     

Resistance of a coastal ecosystem to increasing eutrophic conditions: the Bay of Brest (France), a semi-enclosed zone of Western Europe

The Bay of Brest is a semi-enclosed coastal ecosystem receiving high nutrients loading from freshwater inputs. In order to analyse the response of phytoplankton stocks to increasing eutrophic conditions, a survey of the annual cycle of hydrographic properties, nutrients and chlorophyll a concentrations, and carbon uptake rates was performed at four stations in 1993. This database has been compared to earlier measurements performed during several comparable surveys within the last 20 years. As compared to the seventies, a doubled nitrate loading is now entering this ecosystem, which is related to increased agricultural activities on the drainage basins, while the geographical origin of the nitrate input has been modified. As a result of these anthropogenic modifications, summer averaged Si/N stoichiometric balance has decreased during the two last decades but, contrary to what has been observed in other coastal ecosystems, phytoplankton stocks have not increased. Several ecological factors have hindered eutrophication: the high hydrodynamic mixing with adjacent marine waters, caused by the macrotidal regime, induces important nutrients losses, temperature and mostly light limit primary production while Si and P high recycling maintain nitrogen limitation in this ecosystem. Conjunction of these non-anthropogenic factors explains the global stability of phytoplankton stocks.     

UV spectrometry for measuring particulate organic matter in natural water

Ultraviolet (UV) spectra were measured to characterize the dissolved and particulate organic matter in a bog and to investigate the seasonal fluctuation of this organic matter. The optical density spectra in the UV region of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were proportional to ^–4, where is the wavelength of incident light. There was also small absorption on the ^–4 spectra. The optical density at a wavelength of 280 nm was proportional to the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The spectra and the dependency of optical density on DOC did not vary throughout the investigation period. The UV spectra of acid extractions of particulate organic matter (POM) showed two absorption peaks at the wavelengths of 220 nm and 335 nm. These peaks are well represented by the sum of two Lorentz functions. The ratio of the absorbances,A ₂₈₀/A ₃₃₅, was dependent on the nitrogen/carbon ratio of POM and the chlorophyll fraction in particulate organic carbon (POC), and not dependent on POC itself. The dependency of POC absorption at 280 nm varied with this ratio which fluctuated seasonally.     

Tidal and residual currents in the Bransfield Strait,Antarctica

During the 1992–1993 oceanographic cruise of the Spanish R/V Hespérides, recording equipment was deployed in the Bransfield Strait. Six Aanderaa RCM7 current meters and three Aanderaa WLR7 tide gauges were successfully recovered after an operation period of 2.5 months. Relevant features of the time series obtained are presented and discussed in this paper. The emphasis is placed on the tidal character of the currents and the relative importance of tidal flow in the general hydrodynamics of the strait. For these purposes a dense grid of hydrographic stations, completed during the BIOANTAR 93 cruise, is used. Preliminary geostrophic calculations relative to a 400 m depth, yield current velocities of around 0.20 m s⁻¹ in the study area, whereas the magnitude of tidal currents is seen to be 0.30-0.40 m s⁻¹.     

Dynamics and sources of dissolved organic carbon during phytoplankton bloom in hypereutrophic Lake Taihu (China)

To establish the influence of phytoplankton blooms on the dynamics and sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in Lake Taihu, the concentrations and stable carbon isotope values (δ¹³C) of DOC and particulate organic carbon (POC) were analyzed, along with environmental factors, including water temperature, chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration, phytoplankton community and total bacterial abundance, from March to August 2013 at five sites in Lake Taihu. Significant differences were observed in the DOC concentrations and δ¹³C_DOC values at the sampling sites. On average, the proportion of DOC in the total organic carbon (TOC) pool ranged from 30% ± 10% to 81% ± 7%. POC was positively associated with both Chl a concentration and cyanobacteria biomass, suggesting that cyanobacteria blooms contribute to the POC pool in Lake Taihu. Depleted ¹³C in DOC relative to POC was observed in August, indicating that DOC was partially derived from POC in August. However, Chl a explained only 40% of the variation in DOC in the entirety of Lake Taihu, and at two sites far from the estuary, the contribution of allochthonous carbon was less than 50% in August. These results suggested a greater influence of allochthonous sources on the DOC pool. Moreover, the biodegradability of DOC was further determined by the total dissolved carbohydrates to DOC ratio (TCHO/DOC), specific UV absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄), and the concentrations of bioavailable DOC (BDOC). On average, 17% of the variation in DOC was attributable to the BDOC pool, and the BDOC concentration correlated positively with Chl a, cyanobacteria biomass, and total bacterial abundance, suggesting that cyanobacteria–derived DOC is biodegradable and is preferentially utilized by bacteria.     

The COPAS’08 expedition to the Patagonian Shelf: Physical and environmental conditions during the 2008 coccolithophore bloom

Here we present observations of the hydrography of the Patagonian Shelf, shelf break and offshore waters, with reference to the environmental conditions present during the period of peak coccolithophore abundance. Analysis of a hydrographic dataset collected in December 2008 (austral spring/summer), as part of the Coccolithophores of the Patagonian Shelf (COPAS) research cruise, identified 5 distinct surface water masses in the region between 37°S and 55°S. These water masses, identified through salinity gradients, displayed varying mixed layer depths, macronutrient inventories and chlorophyll-a fluorescence. Subantarctic Shelf Water (SSW), located to the north of the Falkland Islands and extending north along the shelf break, was also host to a large coccolithophore bloom. The similarities between the distribution of calcite, as seen in remote sensing data, and SSW indicate that the coccolithophore bloom encountered conditions conducive to bloom development within this water mass. Analysis of chemical and environmental data also collected during the COPAS cruise revealed that many of the commonly cited conditions for coccolithophore bloom development were present within SSW (e.g. low N:P ratio, high N:Si ratio, shallow mixed layer depth). In the other water masses present on the Patagonian Shelf greater variability in these same parameters may explain the more diffuse concentration of calcite, and the smaller size of possible coccolithophore blooms. The distribution of SSW is strongly influenced by the latitudinal variation in shelf break frontal width, which varies from 20 to 200 km, and consequently strong hydrographic controls underlie the position of the coccolithophore bloom during austral summer.     

A hydrobiological study to interpret the presence of desmids in Lake Zirahuén, México

Monthly collections of phytoplankton were supported by physical–chemical data and measures of chlorophyll a concentrations in the search for particular environmental factors that could explain the constant presence of desmids in a Mexican tropical lake, a characteristic not common among the phytoplanktic communities of Mexican lakes. Samplings were taken from the water column in the deepest part of the lake (40 m) and intensified in the metalimnetic zone, whose establishment was monitored by observations of temperature and oxygen profiles. The general behavior of Lake Zirahuén was typical of warm monomictic tropical lakes at high elevation: a short mixing phase during the hemispheric winter. The depth of Z_MIX and Z_eu revealed a well-illuminated epilimnion, suggesting that phytoplankton communities are not likely to be light-limited. The oligotrophic nature of the lake is indicated by discrete concentrations of inorganic nutrients, P_TOT in the interval of 0.01–0.03 mg l⁻¹ and chlorophyll a between 0.23 and 3.98 μg l⁻¹. These characteristics together with a low concentration of calcium, define a lacustrine environment different from other Mexican lakes, and one that could be suitable for desmids communities.     

The freshwater dissolved organic matter fluorescence–total organic carbon relationship

The fluorescent properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) enable comparisons of humic‐like (H‐L) and fulvic‐like (F‐L) fluorescence intensities with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in aquatic systems. The fluorescence‐DOC relationship differed in gradient, i.e. the fluorescence per gram of carbon, and in the strength of the correlation coefficient. We compare the fluorescence intensity of the F‐L and H‐L fractions and DOC of freshwater DOM in north Shropshire, England, featuring a river, wetland, spring, pond and sewage DOM sources. Correlations between fluorescence and DOC varied between sample sites. Wetland water samples for the F‐L peak gave the best correlation, r = 0·756; the lowest correlation was from final treated sewage effluent, r = 0·167. The relationship between fluorescence and DOC of commercially available International Humic Substances Society standards were also examined and they generally showed a lower fluorescence per gram of carbon for the F‐L peak than the natural samples, whereas peat wetland DOM gave a greater fluorescence per gram of carbon than river DOM. Here, we propose the strength of the fluorescence–DOC correlation to be a useful tool when discriminating sources of DOM in fresh water. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bestimmung der Phytoplanktonvolumina — Methodik und Ergebnisse am Beispiel Niederrhein

For data treatment of phytoplankton countings in the Lower Rhine the specific biovolume was calculated. The used computer-aided method is described, and the correlation between phytoplankton biomass, cell number and chlorophyll a is presented.