Macroalgal blooms on southeast Florida coral reefs: I. Nutrient stoichiometry of the invasive green alga Codium isthmocladum in the wider Caribbean indicates nutrient enrichment

Abstract

Invasive blooms of the siphonaceous green algae Codium spp. have been considered a symptom of coastal eutrophication but, to date, only limited biochemical evidence supports a linkage to land-based nutrient pollution. Beginning in the summer of 1990, spectacular blooms of unattached Codium isthmocladum developed on deep coral reef habitats in southern Palm Beach County and northern Broward County, and in subsequent years, attached populations formed on reefs in northern Palm Beach County. To better understand the nutrition of these HABs, we collected C. isthmocladum and other reef macroalgae from various locations in southeast Florida as well as the wider Caribbean region for tissue C:N:P analysis in order to gauge variability in the type and degree of N- and/or P-limited growth. Widespread nutrient enrichment in floridian C. isthmocladum populations was evidenced by significantly higher tissue P (0.06% versus 0.04% of dry weight) and lower C:N (12 versus 19), C:P (425 versus 980), and N:P (35 versus 50) ratios compared to more nutrient-depleted Caribbean populations. To determine nutrient availability on southeast Florida's reefs, we sampled near-bottom waters at a variety of locations for DIN ( NH 4 + + NO 3 − + NO 2 −) and SRP analysis. In general, concentrations of NH 4 +, NO 3 − and SRP were all high on southeast Florida's reefs compared to values reported for Caribbean coral reefs. Although summertime upwelling provides episodic NO 3 − and SRP enrichment to reefs in southeast Florida, these transient nutrient pulses have not historically supported C. isthmocladum blooms. We suggest that the widespread P enrichment of C. isthmocladum tissue and water column DIN:SRP ratios <16:1 in southeast Florida drive this system toward N limitation where low level NH 4 + enrichment becomes of paramount importance. Hence, the recent C. isthmocladum blooms appear to be supported by increasing land-based nutrient pollution, particularly, sewage that is enriched in NH 4 + and SRP at a low N:P ratio (<10:1) critical to sustaining balanced growth during bloom formation.