Population Dynamics of Phytoplankton and Viruses in a Phosphate-limited Mesocosm and their Effect on DMSP and DMS Production

Abstract

The effect of phosphate limitation on viral abundance, phytoplankton bloom dynamics and production of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethyl sulphide (DMS) was investigated in seawater mesocosm enclosures, in a Norwegian fjord, during June 1995. Daily estimates of viral concentrations, based on transmission electron microscope (TEM) counts, varied on an apparently random basis in each of the enclosures. A largeSynechococcusspp. bloom developed in an enclosure which was maintained at a high N:P ratio, simulating phosphate-deplete growth conditions. Following phosphate addition to this enclosure, there was a large increase in estimated virus numbers shortly before an apparent collapse of theSynechococcusbloom. It is tentatively suggested that lysogenic viruses were induced following phosphate addition to the phosphate-limited enclosures, and that these observations add to a growing body of evidence which supports the hypothesis that nutrient availability may be responsible for the switch between lysogeny and lytic production. High DMS concentrations and viral numbers were observed on the demise of the flagellate (predominantlyEmiliania huxleyi) and diatom blooms, but overall there was no significant correlation. Highest concentrations of DMSP were associated with blooms ofE. huxleyi, for which an intracellular concentration of 0·5pg cell−1(SD, 0·06) was calculated. Good correlation of DMSP withSynechococcusspp. cell numbers was observed, suggesting that these species of picoplankton may be significant producers of DMSP. No effects of phosphate limitation on DMS and/or DMSP production were evident from the data.