Nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton in a shallow embayment in northern Puget Sound

The effect of nutrient enrichments on natural phytoplankton assemblages was examined in six experiments conducted from June to October 1992. Short-term (4 d to 7 d) nutrient enrichment bioassays were incubated in situ in Padilla Bay, a slough-fed estuary in northern Puget Sound, Washington. Ammonium additions (15 μM) significantly (p<0.001) stimulated phytoplankton biomass accumulation during all six experiments. In two experiments, nitrate additions (15 μM) significantly stimulated accumulation of phytoplankton biomass during October, but not September. Addition of phosphate (1.0 μM) or silicate (15 μM) alone did not stimulate phytoplankton biomass accumulation during any of the experiments. In most experiments, phytoplankton response was greatest in combination treatments of ammonium and phosphate. Dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in the containers decreased during all incubations, but showed the greatest reduction in treatments receiving nitrogen. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to phosphate (PO₄ ^3?) ratios were below 16∶1 during all experiments, suggesting the potential for nitrogen limitation. In three experiments, the response of photosynthetic nanoplankton (<20 μm) to ammonium additions was compared to that of the total phytoplankton assemblages. Accumulation of nanoplankton biomass exceeded that of the total phytoplankton during two experiments in August but showed no significant response to ammonium additions in October. Results from the bioassays, the low DIN∶PO₄ ^3? ratios, and the reduction in nutrient concentrations in the containers provide evidence for potential nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton production during summer in Padilla Bay.     

Photosynthesis and Growth of Temperate and Sub-Tropical Estuarine Phytoplankton in a Scenario of Nutrient Enrichment under Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

We compared the responses of two estuarine phytoplankton communities, one from a temperate (Chubut River estuary (CH), Argentina) and one from a sub-tropical site (Babitonga Bay (BB), Brazil), in a scenario of nutrient enrichment under solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Seawater samples were exposed in microcosms to two nutrients, ambient vs. enriched, and two radiation conditions, with and without UVR, and exposed to solar radiation for 4 days. We evaluated the short- (PSII photochemistry, during 90 min light and 90 min dark cycles, before and after the , whereas in BB, nutrient effects prevailed. Such differences were related to the previous light history of the cells and to the ambient nutrient status. After acclimation, an overall improvement of the photosynthetic performance was observed at both sites, either by reducing the relative inhibition or by increasing the recovery of the effective photochemical quantum yield. Interactive effects of UVR and nutrients on growth at CH were antagonistic, while at BB, no differences were observed between the interactive and the sum of effects. Part of the differences in the mid-term observed responses can be attributed to taxonomic changes, with the CH community dominated by diatoms throughout the experiment, but with a shift from a diatom to a flagellate-dominated community in BB. Temperature differences between both sites might have favored higher growth rates and flagellates dominance in BB under the nutrient enriched conditions.     

Mineralization of organic material and bacterial dynamics in Mississippi River plume water

Net remineralization rates of organic matter and bacterial growth rates were observed in dark-bottle incubation experiments conducted in July–August and February with water samples collected from sites in the Mississippi River plume of the Gulf of Mexico. Our objectives were to measure site-specific degradation rates of labile dissolved and particulate organic matter, quantify the potential importance of bacteria in these processes, and examine the kinetics of degradation over time. Unfiltered samples, and samples treated to remove (or dilute out) particles larger than bacteria, were enclosed in 9-1 bottles and incubated in the dark for 3–5 d. Respiration rates and inorganic compound accumulation rates were higher in summer than in winter and were highest in unfiltered surface samples at sites of intermediate salinities where phytoplankton were most abundant. The ratio of ammonium accumulation to oxygen removal in summer experiments suggested that the mineralized organic material resembled “Redfield” stoichiometry. Chemical fluxes were greater in bottles containing large (>1–3 μm) particles than in the bottles with these particles removed, but bacterial activities were generally similar in both treatments. These results suggest that particle consumers were an important component of total organic matter degradation. However, these experiments may have underestimated natural bacterial degradation rates because the absence of light could affect the production of labile organic substrates by phytoplankton. In agreement, with this hypothesis, bacterial growth rates tended to decrease over time in summer in surface plume waters where phytoplankton were abundant. In conjunction with other data, our results indicate that heterotrophic processes in the water column are spatially and temporally dependent on phytoplankton production.     

In Situ Response of Phytoplankton to Nutrient Additions in a Tropical Coastal Lagoon, (La Mancha,Veracruz, Mexico)

An experimental in situ microcosm study was conducted in the tropical lagoon La Mancha (Gulf of Mexico) to determine whether or not nutrient limitation occurs and to examine the direct effect of an inorganic nutrient pulse on the phytoplankton community structure. The phytoplankton community response to the addition of four treatments with different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and silica (Si) (+N-NH₄ ⁺, +P-PO₄ ^?, +Si-SO₃, and N:P16) showed that phytoplankton was N-limited as indicated by an increase in phytoplankton biomass (i.e., chlorophyll a) (range, 8–34 mg m^?3) during the dry season in two consecutive years (2006 and 2007). Picophytoplankton abundance significantly increased in the +N treatment (145.46 10³ cells L^?1), while microphytoplankton reached a maximum abundance (68.38 10³ cells L^?1) in the N:P16 treatment. Phytoplankton composition changed from a community initially dominated by dinoflagellates (e.g., Prorocentrum spp.) to another dominated by diatoms (Thalassiosira and Nitzschia longissima) in the N:P16 treatment. The +N treatment significantly increased Synechococcus sp. growth rates (1.3 divisions per day) (picocyanobacteria). Biomarker pigments measured in the experimental microcosms confirmed observed changes in phytoplankton groups. Our results reveal that La Mancha lagoon is a N-limited coastal system during the dry season and provides evidence of the temporal species successional patterns and mechanisms regulating the phytoplankton community response to nutrient enrichment pulses in this already eutrophic coastal lagoon.     

Episodic Biogeochemical Variability in a Low-Flow Mediterranean Estuary

To investigate to what extent episodic physical processes regulate nutrient availability and phytoplankton assemblages of the Mahon estuary (Minorca Island), we carried out an intensive field study during 2010–2011. During the study period, environmental conditions spanned from intense stratification to a continuous mixing and from lack of riverine inflow to intense runoff. Our data reveals a sequence of biogeochemical states of the estuary that result from the interplay between runoff, other non-periodic forcings (winds, sea level oscillations), and variations in water renewal. Seasonal runoff was revealed as a major driver of winter circulation and of the influx of inorganic nutrients, in particular nitrate. However, because of the combination between runoff and flushing time, the effects of floodwater events on phytoplankton are short-lived (days). Conversely, during summer, when freshwater influx declines, water renewal relies on pulsed atmospheric forcing that may be of local or remote origin. As depicted from the low nitrate concentrations (<1 μM) and enhanced ammonium (>1 μM), this change in circulation and external loads carries nutrient assimilation within the estuary head and forces the use of remnant nutrients through regenerating pathways to sustain an enhanced phytoplankton biomass at the lower estuary. Episodic variability represented between 52 and 65% of the annual chlorophyll variance. Despite the fact that episodic pulses represented intense departures from base biogeochemical state of the estuary, at time scale larger than weeks, the phytoplankton community composition and dynamics was largely regulated by the integrated effect of these episodes and other environmental drivers associated with seasonality rather than by individual storm events only. Our results suggest that even though the system presents good recovery capacity to individual storm episodes, it may be more vulnerable to increased nutrient fluxes during summer, as well as to changes in episode timing and frequency.     

Seasonal growth stimulation of sub-temperate estuarine phytoplankton to nitrogen and phosphorus: An outdoor microcosm experiment

A study of nutrient limitation of phytoplankton biomass production with emphasis on nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃ ^?) and ortho-phosphate-phosphorus (PO₄ ^3?) was conducted in Perdido Bay, Alabama-Florida. The experimental design employed 18-1 outdoor microcosms operated in a static renewal mode. Phytoplankton growth responses (i.e., growth stimulation) measured as chlorophyll a (chl a) fell into three principal categories: primary P stimulation occurred mostly during the cooler months at the upper bay (tidal brackish) and mid bay (lower mesohaline) stations; a total of 12 out of 36 experiments; primary N stimulation occurred mostly during the warmer months primarily at the mid-bay station and infrequently at the upper and lower bay stations (upper mesohaline); a total of 7 out of 36 experiments; and N+P costimulation occurred primarily during the warmer months in the upper bay and mid bay and during both warmer and cooler months of the lower bay; a total of 17 out of 36 experiments. Primary P stimulation was generally associated with high ratios of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) (ratio range: 18 to 288). Conversely, primary N stimulation was associated with decreasing DIN:DIP ratios (range 8–46). Redfield ratios of particulate organic N (PON) to particulate organic P (POP) often indicated N limitation (i.e., values often less than 10). PON:chl a ratios often indicated N sufficiency, but three occasions were noted where PON:POP and PON:chl a ratios were not congruent. It is difficult to reconcile the inorganic and organic N and P ratios with the relatively low DIP and DIN concentrations. The phytoplankton assemblage appeared not to be strongly nutrient-limited but, given a nutrient increase, responded differentially to N and P, both seasonally and along the longitudinal salinity gradient. Grazing pressure in concert with nutrient limitation was advanced as an hypothesis to explain N+P co-limitation.     

Ecosystem model of an estuarine submersed plant community: Calibration and simulation of eutrophication responses

As water quality in the Chesapeake Bay has declined over recent decades, formely healthy submersed plant communities have disappeared from littoral areas of the mesohaline estuary. A dynamic simulation model of shallow regions of bay tributaries (<1 m) was developed to investigate growth responses of submersed vascular plants to eutrophication and habitat degradation. Our objectives were to elucidate mechanisms responsible for the decline and to evaluate conditions required for plant restoration and survival. State varibles in the model are plant leaves, roots, phytoplankton, epiphytes, and detrital material. The model calculates biomass pools and biogeochemical rate processes over annual cycles with a time step of 6 h. Simulations were performed to investigate the influence of phytoplankton and epiphytes on the underwater light environment, how the balance of limiting resources (light and nutrients) controls growth and productivity of submersed plants, and conditions necessary, for the restoration of submersed vegetation. Model output for submersed plants was calibrated to baseline data from the mid 1970s (r²=0.86); simulations reproduced declines in plant biomass with increasing nutrient enrichment. Model experiments showed, that by increasing nutrient inputs 40% above levels observed in the 1960s, submersed plants disappeared within 1–2 yr due to enhanced growth of phytoplankton and epiphytes, which reduced light below required levels. Epiphytes were more important than were phytoplankton in attenuating light. The relationship between nutrient enrichment and plant loss rate was complex, as epiphyte density on leaf surfaces was not linearly related to nutrient levels. Relatively small nutrient increases could have a large effect on submersed plants because epiphyte density on leaves increased exponentially as leaf surface area decreased. Exchanges of organic carbon and nutrients between leaf and root compartments were seasonally variable and were critical for survival of submersed plants. The amount of root-rhizome material available for regrowth could control the outcome of nutrient reduction strategies. Consequently, model predictions of plant restoration success were highly dependent on initial conditions. The model is being used successfully as a research tool to interpret ecological relationships in the ongoing re-evaluation of management alternatives for submersed plant restoration.     

Cell Size-Dependent Effects of Solar UV Radiation on Primary Production in Coastal Waters of the South China Sea

In order to examine the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on photosynthesis of differently cell-sized phytoplankton, natural phytoplankton assemblages from the coastal waters of the South China Sea were separated into three groups (>20, 5–20, and <5 μm) and exposed to four different solar UV spectral regimes, i.e., 280–700 nm (PAR?+?UVR), 400–700 nm (PAR), 280–400 nm (UV-A?+?B), and 315–400 nm (UV-A). In situ carbon fixation measurements revealed that microplankton (>20 μm) efficiently utilized UV-A for photosynthetic carbon fixation, with assimilation number of up to 1.01 μg C (μg chl a)^?1?h^?1 under 21.4 W?m^?2 UV-A alone (about half of noontime irradiance at the surface), about 40 % higher than nanoplankton (5–20 μm). UV-B (280–315 nm) of 0.95 W?m^?2 reduced the carbon fixation by approximately 20 and 57 % in microplankton and nanoplankton assemblages, respectively. In contrast, smaller picoplankton (<5 μm) was unable to utilize UV-A for the photosynthetic carbon fixation. In addition, only micro-sized assemblages demonstrated the UV enhancement on their primary productivity in the presence of PAR, by about 8 % under moderate intensities of solar radiation.     

Tidal Influences on Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Seomjin River Estuary and Gwangyang Bay,Korea

To assess changes in abiotic and biotic factors between flood and ebb tides, we investigated the seasonal phytoplankton dynamics and environmental conditions along a salinity gradient at 14 stations in the Seomjin River estuary (SRE), Korea, and conducted bioassays to investigate the effect of nutrient addition (+N, +P, and +NP) on phytoplankton growth. Saltwater intrusion upstream was greatly dependent on the amount of freshwater discharge resulting from seasonal rainfall. There was a strong negative correlation between salinity and the nitrate+nitrite concentration (p?<?0.001), and between salinity and the silicate concentration (p?<?0.001), but no clear correlation between salinity and the ammonium concentration, or salinity and the phosphate concentration (p?>?0.01). This indicates that the N and Si loading increased as a result of freshwater input. The algal bioassays showed that high phytoplankton growth rates were usually recorded in response to the +NP treatment, but in the saltwater zone, the phytoplankton community also responded rapidly to the +N treatment, and to the +P treatment in the freshwater zone. The range of nutrient limitation depended on freshwater discharge. The seasonal and horizontal distribution of phytoplankton communities changed along the salinity gradient. The significant differences in abiotic factors between flood and ebb tides play important roles in controlling the biotic factors, including the occurrence of aquatic organisms including microalgae.     

Drought effects on pelagic properties in the shallow and turbid Patos Lagoon, Brazil

The effect of a 7-mo drought (La Niña 1988) was evaluated on pelagic properties in the large Patos Lagoon (30°12′–32°12′S, 50°40′–52°15′W). From December 1987 to December 1988, surface water was sampled along the longitudinal axis of the lagoon for temperature (10–29°C), salinity (0–31.4), dissolved inorganic phosphate (0.02–4.73 μM), nitrate (0.05–66.25 μM), nitrite (0.01–3.54 μM), ammonium (0.09–33.19 μM), silicate (1.11–359.20 μM), phytoplankton chlorophylla (chl; 0.4–41.2 mg m^?3), primary production (gross PP 1.72–161.82 mg C m³ h^?1; net PP 0.04–126.19 mg C m³ h^?1), and species composition and abundance (42–4,961 ind ml^?1). In the wet season the whole system acted as a river and light availability limited phytoplankton growth. During the drought from February to August monthly freshwater runoff was low and the inflow of marine water to the southern sector generated spatial variability of the analyzed properties and five functional areas were recognized. The northernmost Guaíba River (1) presented low light availability and phytoplankton chl concentration compared to the northern limnetic area (2) (chl mean 13.3 μg I^?1; max 41.2 μg I^?1; gross PP mean 52.6 mg C m³ h^?1), which acted as a biological filter removing dissolved inorganic nutrients. Silicate concentration was strongly diminished in this area due to diatom uptake (Aulacoseira granulata, 9,330 cells ml^?1). In the northern limnetic and central oligohaline (3) areas, phytoplankton biomass was controlled by light but nitrogen also played a limiting role. In the southern area (4) that is under marine influence, low chl concentration (mean 4.5 μg I^?1) and gross PP (mean 28.1 mg C m³ h^?1) coincided with co-limitation of nitrogen and light while the channel to the ocean (5) was strongly light limited. This study demonstrated that low light and high silicate input had a buffer effect at Patos Lagoon, hampering negative expression of cultural eutrophication. The main effect during the drought period occurred in the northern limnetic region, where low silicate values due to diatom uptake led to higher cyanobacteria abundance, and enhanced mineralization occurred in the central oligohaline lagoon. Increased rainfall resulted in light limitation and decreasing primary production in the entire freshwater lagoon, and the adjacent coastal region benefited from nutrient enrichment.     

Seasonal variability in response of estuarine phytoplankton communities to stress: Linkages between toxic trace elements and nutrient enrichment

We examined individual and interactive effects of two stressors—nutrients (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]) and trace elements (a mix of arsenic [As], copper [Cu], and cadmium [Cd], and in a second experiment also zinc [Zn] and nickel [Ni])—on phytoplankton of the mesohaline Patuxent River, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay. Experiments were conducted in twenty 1-m³ mesocosms. Four mesocosm runs used two levels of nutrient loadings (0.7–1.0 × ambient N loading and enriched to 1.3–1.6 × ambient N loading) crossed with two levels of trace elements (ambient and enriched approximately 2–5 × higher than ambient concentrations) crossed with five progressive levels of ecosystem complexity. To examine seasonal patterns of responses to stressors, data from these experiments were combined with results of a similar experiment conducted during 1996 (Breitburg et al. 1999a). A second mesocosm experiment examined effects of individual and mixed trace elements, both alone and in combination with nutrients, to further examine which nutrient-trace element interactions were important. Nutrients consistently increased phytoplankton productivity and biomass. Most of the increased biomass was created by large centric diatoms, which increased the mean cell size of the phytoplankton community. Trace element additions decreased phytoplankton productivity and biomass, as well as the contribution of large centric diatoms to phytoplankton biomass. When both trace elements and nutrients were added, trace elements reduced nutrient stimulation. Although the magnitude of the response to nutrient additions tended to be somewhat greater in spring, the seasonal patterns of trace element effects, and nutrient-trace element interactions were far more striking with significant responses restricted to spring mesocosm runs. The second experiment indicated that both As and Cu were more inhibitory to phytoplankton in spring than in summer, but As was more inhibitory in the low nutrient treatments and Cu was more inhibitory in the nutrient enrichment treatments. The potential for strong seasonal patterns and high temporal variability in stressor effects and multiple stressor interactiosn will require close attention in the design and interpretation of management-relevant research and monitoring and may indicate the need for seasonally varying management strategies.     

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.     

Biogeochemistry of a River-Dominated Estuary Influenced by Drought and Storms

Increased frequency and severity of droughts, as well as growing human freshwater demands, in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin are expected to lead to a long-term decrease in freshwater discharge to Apalachicola Bay (Florida). To date, no long-term studies have assessed how river discharge variability affects the Bay’s phytoplankton community. Here a 14-year time series was used to assess the influence of hydrologic variability on the biogeochemistry and phytoplankton biomass in Apalachicola Bay. Data were collected at 10 sites in the bay along the salinity gradient and include drought and storm periods. Riverine dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate inputs were correlated to river discharge, but chlorophyll a (Chl a) was similar between periods of drought and average/above-average river discharge in most of the Bay. Results suggest that the potentially negative impact of decreased riverine nutrient input on Bay phytoplankton biomass is mitigated by the nutrient buffering capacity of the estuary. Additionally, increased light availability, longer residence time, and decreased grazing pressures may allow more Chl a biomass to accumulate during drought. In contrast to droughts, tropical cyclones and subsequent increases in river discharge increased flushing and reduced light penetration, leading to reduced Chl a in the Bay. Analysis of the time series revealed that Chl a concentrations in the Bay do not directly mirror the effect of riverine nutrient input, which is masked by multiple interacting mechanisms (i.e., nutrient loading and retention, grazing, flushing, light penetration) that need to be considered when projecting the response of Bay Chl a to changes in freshwater input.     

Contrasting Growth Patterns of Suspension-Feeding Molluscs (Mercenaria mercenaria, Crassostrea virginica, Argopecten irradians, and Crepidula fornicata) Across a Eutrophication Gradient in the Peconic Estuary, NY, USA

While many coastal ecosystems previously supported dense meadows of seagrass and dense stocks of bivalves, the impacts of overfishing, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and habitat loss have contributed to the decline of these important resources. Anthropogenic nutrient loading and subsequent eutrophication has been identified by some researchers as a primary driver of these losses, but others have described potential positive effects of eutrophication on some estuarine resources. The Peconic Estuary, Long Island, NY, USA, offers a naturally occurring nutrient-loading gradient from eutrophic tidal creeks in its western reaches to mesotrophic bays in the eastern region. Over 2 years, we conducted an experiment across this gradient to examine the effects of eutrophication on the growth of estuarine species, including juvenile bivalves (northern quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria), eastern oysters, (Crassostrea virginica), and bay scallops (Argopecten irradians)) and slipper limpet (Crepidula fornicata). Water quality and phytoplankton community biomass and composition were concurrently monitored at each site, and the effects of these variables on the growth of estuarine species were analyzed with multiple regression model. Eutrophication seemed to impact shellfish through changes in the quality of food and not the quantity since the growth rates of shellfish were more often correlated with densities of specific cell types or quality of seston rather than bulk measures of phytoplankton and organic seston. Northern quahogs and eastern oysters grew maximally within eutrophic locales, and their growth was positively correlated with high densities of autotrophic nanoflagellates and centric diatoms in these regions (p?<?0.001). The growth rates of northern quahogs were also positively correlated with relative water motion, suggesting an important role for tidal currents in delivering seston to suspension feeders. Bay scallops and slipper limpets were negatively impacted by eutrophication, growing at the slowest rate at the most eutrophic sites. Furthermore, bay scallop growth was negatively correlated with densities of dinoflagellates, which were more abundant at the most eutrophic site (p?<?0.001). These results suggest that nutrient loading can have significant but complex effects on suspension-feeding molluscs with select species (e.g., oysters and clams) benefiting from eutrophication and other species performing poorly (e.g., scallops and slipper limpets). Future management approaches that seek to restore bivalve populations will need to account for the differential effects of nutrient loading as managers target species and regions to be restored.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of factors influencing phytoplankton in a salt wedge estuary, the Swan River, Western Australia

During 1995 the phytoplankton in the Swan River were intensively sampled to assess biomass and species composition. Continuous measurements of fluorescence, salinity, and temperature were made weekly during 40 km sampling trips along the estuary and used to map the seasonal progression of the algal biomass. Weekly measurements of primary production were made and used to model net primary production from the vertical distribution of biomass, irradiance, and phytoplankton species composition. Potential nutrient limitation was assessed with “all but one” nutrient bioassays. The results indicate a complex mixture of potentially limiting factors, which vary in time and space. Although the data sequence is short, it suggests a annual succession pattern of diatoms, chlorophytes, diatoms, and finally dinoflagellates and cryptophytes in late summer-autumn. Peak seasonal biomass was observed during January to April. Mean annual chlorophylla biomass was greatest in upstream stations (5–9), where estimates of net primary production rates averaged 1.55 g C m^?2 d^?1 and gross primary production was 800–1000 g C m^?2 yr^?1. Potential nutrient limitation was most severe from November to May, although not during January 1995. Based on bioassay results, during the period of greatest potential for nutrient limitation, nitrogen was 15 to 30 times more limiting to biomass development than phosphate. Runoff due to consistent rainfall during winter eventually breaks down stratification and flushes the estuary with low-salinity, nutrient-rich water, producing, a light-limited, nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystem. Timing and magnitude of physical forcing events, mainly rainfall, appear critical in determining the susceptibility of this ecosystem to summer and autumn algal blooms.     

灵水岩溶泉浮游植物群落结构及其对水环境的指示作用

灵水湖内沉水植物自2010年逐渐消亡,至2013年已基本消失,为探究岩溶水生态系统退化的原因,于2016年4、7、10月对灵水和罗波潭两个水环境相似的岩溶泉进行浮游植物调查和水环境监测。结果显示:灵水优势种共3门16种,罗波潭优势种共3门13种,两者的浮游植物相似性为60%。3次调查种类数基本不变,丰度均表现为4月>7月>10月。生物多样性指数和叶绿素水质评价均显示罗波潭优于灵水,说明沉水植物消亡会引发水环境退化。浮游植物与环境因子的RDA和相关性分析显示,总氮(TN)是浮游植物群落的决定性因子,而浮游植物对氮营养盐更强的摄食能力可能是灵水沉水植物消亡的原因之一。岩溶水环境的HCO-3 和Ca2+浓度可以指示浮游植物的生长状态。      

Short-term biogeochemical influence of a diatom bloom on the nutrient and trace metal concentrations in South San Francisco Bay microcosm experiments

Two laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to mimic an annual spring diatom bloom in South San Francisco Bay by isolating the phytoplankton community from the benthic grazing pressure to induce a phytoplankton bloom. The purpose of these experiments was to isolate the impact of a spring diatom bloom on the nutrient and trace metal geochemical cycling. Microcosms were created in 2.5 L incubation bottles and subjected to one of 4 treatments (control, copper [Cu] addition, manganese [Mn] addition, and both Cu and Mn addition) to investigate the toxicity of Cu on the resident plankton and the potential antagonistic effects of Mn on reducing Cu toxicity. Dissolved macronutrient (nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silicate), and dissolved and particulate trace metal (Cu, Ni, Mn) concentrations were monitored in the grow-out incubations on a daily basis. Chlorophylla concentrations were also monitored over the course of the experiment and used to calculate diatom-specific growth rates. In the experiments containing ambient South San Francisco Bay surface waters, average specific growth rates were on the order of 1.1 d^?1. The induced diatom blooms resulted in significant removal of macronutrients from the microcosms over the course of the experiments. Our research supports previous suggestions that dissolved Ni and Cu concentrations in South San Francisco Bay have a very low biological availability as a result of organic chelation. Ni(EDTA)^2? has been found to be the dominant dissolved Ni species by other researchers and Cu speciation analyses from this study and others indicate that > 99% of the dissolved Cu in South San Francisco Bay is strongly chelated as CuL₁. The free cupric ion concentration was on the order of 10^?12 M. Marked removal of dissolved Mn was observed in the control treatments, well exceeding expected dissolved Mn removal by diatom uptake. Additions of 375 nM Cu resulted in the complete titration of the chelating ligand (L₁) concentrations. The elevated [Cu²⁺] (≈10^?8MM) appeared to have a toxic effect on the diatom community observed in the significant decreases in their specific growth rates (μ=0.4 d^?1). The suppression of dissolved Mn removal from solution was also observed in treatments spiked with high levels of dissolved Cu, providing support that Mn precipitation was due to biologically mediated oxidation not phytoplankton assimilation. The observed geochemical behavior in the concurrent Cu and Mn addition treatments provide evidence in support of Mn alleviation of Cu toxicity. The biological role in the ambient short-term biogeochemical cycling of Cu and Ni in South San Francisco Bay appears to be minimal due to the inert character of the organic ligand-metal complexes. A significant portion of the annual macronutrient and Mn cycling occurs as a result of spring diatom blooms in South San Francisco Bay.     

Nutrient and Phytoplankton Dynamics in Harima-Nada, Eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan During a 35-Year Period from 1973 to 2007

Long-term monitoring of water quality and phytoplankton was conducted at 19 sampling stations in Harima-Nada, eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan for 35 years from 1973 to 2007. There were two significant long-term changes, an increase in winter water temperatures of 0.042°C year^?1, and a decrease in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from about 10 μM in the 1970s to ~5 μM in the late 1990s due to the reduction in nutrient inputs. DIN concentrations and total phytoplankton cell density were both higher during the 1970s to the early 1980s and then exhibited a significant decrease in the mid 1980s and remained relatively constant thereafter. Diatoms were the dominant phytoplankton group (>90%) over the 35-year period, and there was a dramatic shift from Skeletonema dominance (~70%) to Chaetoceros in the mid 1980s. This shift in diatom species may be attributed to differences in the life cycle of Skeletonema and Chaetoceros and the response to the decrease in DIN concentration.     

中大西洋营养盐富集实验中浮游植物生长的营养盐限制作用

借助中国首次环球科学考察航次,在中大西洋航段现场对表层海水进行了添加N、P、Si的营养盐富集实验,通过实验过程中水体营养盐浓度、叶绿素a（Chl-a）浓度以及温度等参数的分析,探讨了实验海区浮游植物生长的营养盐限制作用。结果表明,添加N、P、Si都可造成实验水体中Chl-a浓度明显增大,且N对浮游植物生长的限制作用最明显,其次为P,Si的作用最弱。实验过程中水体N／P值的变化同叶绿素a浓度及浮游植物生长速度（R）没有可对比性,N／P值与后两者之间的相关性都差,可以认为水体中N／P值并不能单独限制浮游植物生长。实验水体温度同Chl-a浓度和R值间也缺乏相关性,表明水体温度同样不能控制浮游植物生长。     

Phytoplankton Biomass and Composition in a River-Dominated Estuary During Two Summers of Contrasting River Discharge

Estuaries located in the northern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience reduced river discharge due to increasing demand for freshwater and predicted periods of declining precipitation. Changes in freshwater and nutrient input might impact estuarine higher trophic level productivity through changes in phytoplankton quantity and quality. Phytoplankton biomass and composition were examined in Apalachicola Bay, Florida during two summers of contrasting river discharge. The <20 μm autotrophs were the main component (92?±?3 %; n?=?14) of phytoplankton biomass in lower (<25 psu) salinity waters. In these lower salinity waters containing higher dissolved inorganic nutrients, phycocyanin containing cyanobacteria made the greatest contribution to phytoplankton biomass (69?±?3 %; n?=?14) followed by <20 μm eukaryotes (19?±?1 %; n?=?14), and phycoerythrin containing cyanobacteria (4?±?1 %; n?=?14). In waters with salinity from 25 to 35 psu that were located within or in close proximity to the estuary, >20 μm diatoms were an increasingly (20 to 70 %) larger component of phytoplankton biomass. Lower summer river discharges that lead to an areal contraction of lower (5–25 psu) salinity waters composed of higher phytoplankton biomass dominated by small (<20 μm) autotrophs will lead to a concomitant areal expansion of higher (>25 psu) salinity waters composed of relatively lower phytoplankton biomass and a higher percent contribution by >20 μm diatoms. A reduction in summer river discharge that leads to such a change in quantity and quality of estuarine phytoplankton available will result in a reduction in estuarine zooplankton productivity and possibly the productivity of higher trophic levels.