Abstract
Nutrient-specific responses of a phytoplankton community: a case study of the North Atlantic Gyre, Azores
Highlights
Phytoplankton abundance and community composition is determined by the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors
Trace metals bound to the chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were added at f/8 media concentrations (Guillard and Ryther, 1962)
Phosphate and silicate were below detection limits (Fig. 1) which coincided with relatively low biomass, 44 μmol L−1 of particulate organic carbon (POC), 3 μmol L−1 particulate organic nitrogen (PON), 18 diatom cells mL−1, 15 dino- and other flagellate cells mL−1, 3 coccolithophore cells mL−1 and 12 cells mL−1 of other organisms
Summary
Phytoplankton abundance and community composition is determined by the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors. Rapid changes in light intensity and nutrient concentrations due to increased turbulence close to the coast, have been proposed to favour organisms with the capacity for rapid nutrient uptake, such as the “velocity-adapted” diatoms (Sommer, 1984; Barcelos e Ramos et al, 2012) Coastal diatoms, such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum, have a higher capacity to dissipate excess photosynthetic energy than oceanic diatoms such as Thalassiosira oceanica (Lavaud et al, 2007), potentially related to higher iron availability in coastal areas (Sunda et al, 1991; Sunda and Huntsman, 1995). It is known that large diatoms are very efficient in taking up and storing available nutrients in vacuoles (“storage specialists”) Other species, such as some coccolithophores, have low half-saturation constants for phosphate uptake, giving them a competitive advantage at relatively low phosphate concentrations as “affinityadapted” strategists (Sommer, 1984). The community’s response to nutrient amendment depends on each species’ unique nutrient requirements, which are influenced by specific growth rates, morphology, species interactions, and existing grazers and parasites
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
