Bloom Phase Research Articles

Variations in Dissolved Methane in the Yellow Sea During the Spring Algal Blooms of 2009

Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas and oceans are net sources of atmospheric CH4. The effects of environmental factors on the CH4 variation during different phases of the spring algal blooms were examined during two cruises conducted in the Yellow Sea (YS) from February to April of 2009. During the pre-bloom period from February to March, low CH4 saturation (< 134%) was observed in the surface water, except at two nearshore stations where the CH4 levels were above 140% in March due to mixing with the coastal water. During the bloom period, CH4 increased obviously at two bloom-tracking stations, especially at the surface with mean saturations of 140% and 170%. The increase in CH4 concentration/saturation is thought to be the result of in situ CH4 production. The particulate organic carbon (POC) and chlorophyll a contents were believed to be important factors that influenced the CH4 production. In addition, the presence of different dominant phytoplankton species and the grazing pressure may have stimulated the CH4 production by supplying potential methanogenic substrates (such as dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP)). Both the incubation data and the in situ estimations further evidenced the significant influence of the spring blooms on the CH4 production. The calculated sea-to-air CH4 fluxes during the bloom period were not significantly higher than those during the pre-bloom period despite the bloom-increased CH4 saturation. This is due to the variation in physical forcing (such as wind speed), which is the main driver for determining the CH4 flux. Finally, we estimated the annual CH4 flux in the YS as 9.0 µmolm−2d−1; the findings suggest that the YS is a natural source of atmospheric CH4.

Remote examination of the seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages from time-varying trends

The seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages is important to ascertain the dynamics of an aquatic ecosystem structure, whereas its occurrence in response to hydrodynamic alterations is not clearly understood. In view of the characteristics of annual water level variation formed by the Three Gorges Dam Project (TGDP), our understanding about how these changes affect phytoplankton structure and dynamics is still very limited due to the shortage of long-term observation data. In this study, we used Huan Jing 1 charge-coupled device images over the past decade to examine the phytoplankton succession dates between cyanobacterial and green algal blooms in the backwater area of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). The results indicated continuous wavelet transform-based peak analysis is an efficiency tool that can illustrate the temporal pattern of phytoplankton succession using satellite-derived chlorophyll ɑ and Cyano-Chlorophyta index thresholds. Water level, air temperature, pH and total nitrogen/total phosphorus ratio were four important factors affecting the decline and rise phase of cyanobacterial blooms in the TGR from 2008 to 2018. Given that the upstream dam operation is likely to alter ecological and environmental conditions in the backwater area, this mechanism, so-called “water-level linkage”, could alleviate the persistent period of cyanobacterial and green algal blooms. Remote sensing together with time series analysis provided a useful method to examine the seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages in the TGR, and these findings provided strategic insight for the water-quality management in the post-TGDP period.

Food Web Functions and Interactions During Spring and Summer in the Arctic Water Inflow Region: Investigated Through Inverse Modeling

We used inverse modelling to reconstruct major planktonic food web carbon flows in the Atlantic Water inflow, east and north of Svalbard during spring (18-25 May) and summer (9-13 August), 2014. The model was based on three intensively sampled stations during both periods, corresponding to early, peak, and decline phases of a Phaeocystis and diatom dominated bloom (May), and flagellates dominated post bloom stages (August). The food web carbon flows were driven by primary production (290 to 2850 mg C m-2 d-1), which was channeled through a network of planktonic compartments, and ultimately respired (180 to 1200 mg C m2 d-1), settled out of the euphotic zone as organic particles (145 to 530 mg C m-2 d-1), or accumulated in the water column in various organic pools. The accumulation of dissolved organic carbon was intense (1070 mg C m-2 d-1) during the early bloom stage, slowed down during the bloom peak (400 mg C m-2 d-1), and remained low during the rest of the season. The heterotrophic bacteria responded swiftly to the massive release of new DOC by high, but decreasing carbon assimilation rates (from 534 to 330 mg C m-2 d-1) in May. The net bacterial production was low during the early and peak bloom (26 to 31 mg C m-2 d-1) but increased in the late and post bloom phases (> 50 mg C m-2 d-1). The heterotrophic nanoflagellates did not respond predictably to the different bloom phases, with relatively modest carbon uptake, 30 to 170 mg C m2 d-1. In contrast, microzooplankton increased food intake from 160 to 380 mg C m2 d-1 during the buildup and decline phases, and highly variable carbon intake 46 to 624 mg C m2 d-1, during post bloom phases. Mesozooplankton had an initially high, but decreasing carbon uptake in May (220 to 48 mg C m-2 d-1), followed by highly variable carbon consumption during the post bloom stages (40 to 190 mg C m-2 d-1). Zooplankton shifted from herbivory (92-97% of total food intake) during the early bloom phase to a herbivorous, detritovorous and carnivorous mixed diet as the season progressed.

Effect of edge dislocation on solute-enriched clusters in reactor pressure vessel steel

Reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of pressurized water reactor undergoes severe neutron irradiation during normal operation and life-extension phase, thus leading to the formation of numerous nanometric irradiation-accelerated and irradiation-induced solute-enriched clusters among the ferritic matrix, including so-called late blooming phases (LBP), which was believed as Mn-Ni-Si enriched stable precipitates to emerge lately and grow rapidly and show great threat to the mechanical performance of RPV steels. However, the mechanism of nucleation and growing for LBP remains not in light, especially the effect of inherent defects such as dislocation and grain boundary on that. We investigated the atomic configurations of Fe-Cu, Fe-Mn, Fe-Ni, Fe-Mn-Ni, Fe-Mn-Cu, Fe-Ni-Cu and Fe-Mn-Ni-Cu as RPV model alloys at 600 K, implemented firstly by constructing an enough big simulation box containing edge dislocation and random-distributed alloy atoms and secondly evolving to equilibrium status after essential simulation steps with Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) method. The number of clusters, average solute numbers contained in each cluster and the volume atomic fraction of all clusters were characterized, as well as the structure of typical big clusters among simulation analyzed.

Dynamic trajectories of volatile and non‐volatile specialised metabolites in ‘overnight’ fragrant flowers of Murraya paniculata

Ephemeral flowers, especially nocturnal ones, usually emit characteristic scent profiles within their post-anthesis lifespans of a few hours. Whether these flowers exhibit temporal variability in the composition and profile of volatile and non-volatile specialised metabolites has received little attention. Flowers of Murraya paniculata bloom in the evenings during the summer and monsoon, and their sweet, intense fragrance enhances the plant's value as an ornamental. We aimed to investigate profiles of both volatile and non-volatile endogenous specialised metabolites (ESM) in nocturnal ephemeral flowers of M.paniculata to examine whether any biochemically diverse groups of ESM follow distinct patterns of accumulation while maintaining synchrony with defensive physiological functions. Targeted ESM contents of M.paniculata flowers were profiled at ten time points at 2-h intervals, starting from late bud stage (afternoon) up to the start of petal senescence (mid-morning). Emitted volatiles were monitored continuously within the whole 20-h period using headspace sampling. The ESM contents were mapped by time point to obtain a highly dynamic and biochemically diverse profile. Relative temporal patterns of ESM accumulation indicated that the active fragrance-emitting period might be divided into 'early bloom', 'mid-bloom' and 'late bloom' phases. Early and late bloom phases were characterised by high free radical generation, with immediate enhancement of antioxidant enzymes and phenolic compounds. The mid-bloom phase was relatively stable and dedicated to maximum fragrance emission, with provision for strong terpenoid-mediated defence against herbivores. The late bloom phase merged into senescence with the start of daylight; however, even the senescent petals continued to emit fragrance to attract diurnal pollinators. Our study suggests that dynamic relations between the different ESM groups regulate the short-term requirements of floral advertisement and phytochemical defence in this ephemeral flower. This study also provided fundamental information on the temporal occurrence of emitted volatiles and internal pools of specialised metabolites in M.paniculata flowers, which could serve as an important model for pollination biology of Rutaceae, which includes many important fruit crops.

Primary production, carbon release, and respiration during spring bloom in the Baltic Sea

AbstractWe determined the gross and net primary production (GPP and NPP) for the total community and the &lt; 10 μm size fraction, the net release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the microbial respiration in the Baltic Sea during the spring bloom. Samples (n = 126) were taken from the surface (3 m depth) covering most subbasins and different phases of the bloom, defined by the inorganic nutrient and Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations. During the course of the bloom, the NPP rate (i.e., growth rate) decreased from 0.34 d−1 ± 0.03 (SE) to 0.15 d−1 ± 0.02 (SE), the contribution of the &lt; 10 μm fraction increased from 14% ± 2.5 (SE) to 47% ± 4.0 (SE) and the percent extracellular release (PER) increased from 3.8% ± 0.7 (SE) to 8.9% ± 1.5 (SE). The assimilation number, was on average 0.13 mol C (g Chl a)−1 h−1 ± 0.01 (SE), and the average GPP:NPP rate was 1.25. The respiration increased with growth rate and was 21% of the GPP rate. The net release of DOC was relatively constant over the bloom phases, with increasing PER compensating for the reduction in biomass, and estimated to 24–36 μmol DOC L−1 during the whole spring bloom period in all subbasins except in the Bay of Bothnia where it was 75% lower. The assimilation number was surprisingly stable, suggesting it is uncoupled from the inorganic nutrient concentration, likely a reflection of physiological acclimation and changing phytoplankton community.

Genomic and metatranscriptomic analyses of carbon remineralization in an Antarctic polynya

BackgroundPolynyas in the Southern Ocean are regions of intense primary production, mainly by Phaeocystis antarctica. Carbon fixed by phytoplankton in the water column is transferred to higher trophic levels, and finally, to the deep ocean. However, in the Amundsen Sea, most of this organic carbon does not reach the sediment but is degraded in the water column due to high bacterial heterotrophic activity.ResultsWe reconstructed 12 key bacterial genomes from different phases of bloom and analyzed the expression of genes involved in organic carbon remineralization. A high correlation of gene expression between the peak and decline phases was observed in an individual genome bin-based pairwise comparison of gene expression. Polaribacter belonging to Bacteroidetes was found to be dominant in the peak phase, and its transcriptional activity was high (48.9% of the total mRNA reads). Two dominant Polaribacter bins had the potential to utilize major polymers in P. antarctica, chrysolaminarin and xylan, with a distinct set of glycosyl hydrolases. In the decline phase, Gammaproteobacteria (Ant4D3, SUP05, and SAR92), with the potential to utilize low molecular weight-dissolved organic matter (LMW-DOM) including compatible solutes, was increased. The versatility of Gammaproteobacteria may contribute to their abundance in organic carbon-rich polynya waters, while the SAR11 clade was found to be predominant in the sea ice-covered oligotrophic ocean. SAR92 clade showed transcriptional activity for utilization of both polysaccharides and LMW-DOM; this may account for their abundance both in the peak and decline phases. Ant4D3 clade was dominant in all phases of the polynya bloom, implicating the crucial roles of this clade in LMW-DOM remineralization in the Antarctic polynyas.ConclusionsGenomic reconstruction and in situ gene expression analyses revealed the unique metabolic potential of dominant bacteria of the Antarctic polynya at a finer taxonomic level. The information can be used to predict temporal community succession linked to the availability of substrates derived from the P. antarctica bloom. Global warming has resulted in compositional changes in phytoplankton from P. antarctica to diatoms, and thus, repeated parallel studies in various polynyas are required to predict global warming-related changes in carbon remineralization.

Changes in community structure and photosynthetic activities of total phytoplankton species during the growth, maintenance, and dissipation phases of a Prorocentrum donghaiense bloom

The potential interactions between the bloom-forming dinoflagellates and other phytoplankton during the algal bloom cycle are interesting, while the causes for the phytoplankton community changes were not fully understood. We hypothesized that phytoplankton community structure and photosynthetic activities of total phytoplankton have their special characteristics in different phases of the algal blooms. To test this hypothesis, a survey covering the process of a Prorocentrum donghaiense bloom in coastal waters between Dongtou and Nanji Islands was carried out from 9 to 20 May 2016, and the changes in the phytoplankton community and photosynthetic activities of total phytoplankton were determined. Surface seawater was sampled for microscopic analysis of phytoplankton composition and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of photosynthetic activities of the total phytoplankton species. A total of 25, 31, and 19 phytoplankton species were identified in its growth (9–12 May), maintenance (13–18 May) and dissipation phases (19–20 May), respectively. Diatoms were dominant in terms of species number while dinoflagellates were predominant at cell abundance. Dinoflagellates were the major dominant species during three phases of the bloom based on the dominance (Y) value, whereas the dominant species extended to dinoflagellates and diatoms including P. donghaiense, Coscinodiscus argus, Gonyaulax spinifera, Cyclotella sp. and Scrippsiella trochoidea in the dissipation phase. In the maintenance phase, the average cell abundances of the total phytoplankton and P. donghaiense were consistent with the chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration in the seawater; for the diversity indices of total phytoplankton species, Simpson index (C) was the highest while Shannon index (H′) and Pielou evenness index (J′) were the lowest. Furthermore, photosynthetic activities of the total phytoplankton species represented by the effective quantum yield (Fq'/Fm') and the maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) in the maintenance phase were higher than those in the growth and dissipation phases. The results indicated that the characteristics of phytoplankton community structure and photosynthetic activities could be regarded as criteria in predicting the phases of algal blooms.

Characterizing the vertical distribution of chlorophyll a in the German Bight

Coastal and shelf seas display strong variability in the horizontal and vertical distributions of chlorophyll a (CHL). Detailed data are required to identify the processes that drive the observed spatio-temporal dynamics. A high-resolution, vertically resolved transect data set for biogeochemical and physical properties was collected in the inner German Bight (GB) from 2009 to 2011 on a seasonal basis. We used fluorescence as an indicator for phytoplankton biomass via the CHL concentrations. We classified profiles into different types by evaluating the heterogeneity of CHL vertical distribution and identifying vertical location (upper mixed layer, subsurface layer, bottom mixed layer of water column) of high CHL concentration in each profile. We analyzed the spatio-temporal occurrences of the different CHL vertical distribution types in the context of the hydrodynamic environment. More than half (68.7%) of all profiles showed vertically homogeneous CHL distributions. A smaller subset (3.2%) of all profiles showed subsurface CHL maximum layers (SCMLs) in the vicinity of the pycnocline, co-varying with strongly stratified conditions in deeper water. Profiles with highest concentration of CHL in the upper part of the water column (HCU) were observed in 11.5% of all profiles. Profiles with highest concentrations of CHL in the lower part of the water column (HCL) comprised 16.6% of all profiles. HCL profiles were extensively observed during the decay phase of the spring bloom and were associated with resuspension and erosion from pre-existing SCMLs, which could be driven by tide; photosynthetic activity below the pycnocline could also contribute. Under moderate weather conditions, tidal currents were the main driver of resuspension. This study highlighted the occurrence of SCMLs and HCL patterns in vertical CHL profiles in shallow shelf seas, such as the GB.

Response of Pelagic Calcifiers (Foraminifera, Thecosomata) to Ocean Acidification During Oligotrophic and Simulated Up-Welling Conditions in the Subtropical North Atlantic Off Gran Canaria

Planktonic Foraminifera and thecosome pteropods are major producers of calcite and aragonite in the ocean and play an important role for pelagic carbonate flux. The responses of planktonic foraminifers to ocean acidification (OA) are variable among the species tested and so far do not allow for reliable conclusion. Thecosome pteropods respond with reduced calcification and shell dissolution to OA and are considered at high risk especially at high latitudes. The present investigation was part of a large-scale in situ mesocosm experiment in the oligotrophic waters of the eastern subtropical North Atlantic. Over 62 days, we measured the abundance and vertical flux of pelagic foraminifers and thecosome pteropods as part of a natural plankton community over a range of OA scenarios. A bloom phase was initiated by the introduction of deep-water collected from approx. 650 m depth simulating a natural up-welling event. Foraminifers occurred throughout the entire experiment in both the water column and the sediment traps. Pteropods were present only in small numbers and disappeared after the first two weeks of the experiment. No significant CO2 related effects were observed for foraminifers, but cumulative sedimentary flux was reduced at the highest CO2 concentrations. This flux reduction was most likely accompanying an observed flux reduction of particulate organic matter (POM) so that less foraminifers were intercepted and transported downward.

Response of Subtropical Phytoplankton Communities to Ocean Acidification Under Oligotrophic Conditions and During Nutrient Fertilization

The subtropical oceans are home to the largest phytoplankton biome on the planet. Yet, little is known about potential impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on phytoplankton community composition in the vast oligotrophic ecosystems of the subtropical gyres. To address this question, we conducted an experiment with 9 in situ mesocosms (~35 m3) off the coast of Gran Canaria in the eastern subtropical North Atlantic over a period of 9 weeks. By establishing a gradient of pCO2 ranging from ~350 to 1025 µatm, we simulated carbonate chemistry conditions as projected until the end of the 21st century. Furthermore, we injected nutrient-rich deep water into the mesocosms halfway through the experiment to simulate a natural upwelling event, which regularly leads to patchy nutrient fertilization in the study region. The temporal developments of major taxonomic groups of phytoplankton were analyzed by flow cytometry, pigment composition and microscopy. We observed distinct shifts in phytoplankton community structure in response to high CO2, with markedly different patterns depending on nutrient status of the system. Phytoplankton biomass during the oligotrophic phase was dominated by picocyanobacteria (Synechococcus), which constituted 60-80% of biomass and displayed significantly higher cell abundances at elevated pCO2. The addition of deep water triggered a substantial bloom of large, chain-forming diatoms (mainly Guinardia striata and Leptocylindrus danicus) that dominated the phytoplankton community during the bloom phase (70-80% of biomass) and until the end of the experiment. A CO2 effect on bulk diatom biomass became apparent only in the highest CO2 treatments (>800 µatm), displaying elevated concentrations especially in the stationary phase after nutrient depletion. Notably, these responses were tightly linked to distinct interspecific shifts within the diatom assemblage, particularly favoring the largest species Guinardia striata. Other taxonomic groups contributed less to total phytoplankton biomass, but also displayed distinct responses to OA treatments. For instance, higher CO2 favored the occurrence of prymnesiophyceae (Phaeocystis globosa) and dictyochophyceae, whereas dinoflagellates were negatively affected by increasing CO2. Altogether, our findings revealed considerable shifts in species composition in response to elevated CO2 and indicated that phytoplankton communities in the subtropical oligotrophic oceans might be profoundly altered by ocean acidification.

Ab-initio based search for late blooming phase compositions in iron alloys

We present a systematic analysis, based on ab initio calculations, of concentrated solute arrangements and precipitate phases in Fe-based alloys. The input data for our analysis are the calculated formation and interaction energies of point defects in the iron matrix, as well as the energies of ordered compounds that represent end-members in the 4-sublattice compound energy model of a multicomponent solid solution of Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Mn, Ni, and Cu elements and also vacancies in bcc Fe. The list of compounds also includes crystal structures obtained by geometric relaxation of the end-member compounds that in the cubic structure show weak mechanical instabilities (negative elastic constants) and also the G-phase Mn6(Ni,Fe)16(Si,P)7 having a complex cubic structure. A database of calculated thermodynamic properties (crystal structure, molar volume, enthalpy of formation, and elastic constants) of the most stable late-blooming-phase candidates is thus obtained. The results of this ab initio based theoretical analysis compare well with the recent experimental observations and predictions of thermodynamic calculations employing Calphad methodology.

THE ECONOMY OF WATER RESOURCES WITH THE USE OF POLYMER COMPLEXES IN IRRIGATION OF A COTTON

The article deals with the use of polymer complexes in alluvial-meadow soils under the pre-determined humidity of 70-80-65% of the maximum field moisture capacity, in the second option with the 1-2-1 scheme in the Bukhara oasis. During the seedling and flowering phase, one irrigation irrigation norm was performed at 734 m3/ha; during the blooming and fruit cultivation phase, three irrigation operations were performed with irrigation norms of 631-644 m3/ha, one irrigation with a watering rate of 865 m3/ha was performed during the maturation phase. The irrigation norm was 2874 m3/ha or, relative to the control variant, by 1754 m3/ha less, which allowed saving manual water, as well as the results of the conducted experiments and their impact on cotton growth, development and yield.

Effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 on the marine phytoplankton and bacterial metabolism during a bloom: A coastal mesocosm study

Increases of atmospheric CO2 concentrations due to human activity and associated effects on aquatic ecosystems are recognized as an environmental issue at a global scale. Growing attention is being paid to CO2 enrichment effects under multiple stresses or fluctuating environmental conditions in order to extrapolate from laboratory-scale experiments to natural systems. We carried out a mesocosm experiment in coastal water with an assemblage of three model phytoplankton species and their associated bacteria under the influence of elevated CO2 concentrations. Net community production and the metabolic characteristics of the phytoplankton and bacteria were monitored to elucidate how these organisms responded to CO2 enrichment during the course of the algal bloom. We found that CO2 enrichment (1000μatm) significantly enhanced gross primary production and the ratio of photosynthesis to chlorophyll a by approximately 38% and 39%, respectively, during the early stationary phase of the algal bloom. Although there were few effects on bulk bacterial production, a significant decrease of bulk bacterial respiration (up to 31%) at elevated CO2 resulted in an increase of bacterial growth efficiency. The implication is that an elevation of CO2 concentrations leads to a reduction of bacterial carbon demand and enhances carbon transfer efficiency through the microbial loop, with a greater proportion of fixed carbon being allocated to bacterial biomass and less being lost as CO2. The contemporaneous responses of phytoplankton and bacterial metabolism to CO2 enrichment increased net community production by about 45%, an increase that would have profound implications for the carbon cycle in coastal marine ecosystems.

Microbial dynamics during harmful dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata growth: Bacterial succession and viral abundance pattern.

Algal–bacterial interactions play a major role in shaping diversity of algal associated bacterial communities. Temporal variation in bacterial phylogenetic composition reflects changes of these complex interactions which occur during the algal growth cycle as well as throughout the lifetime of algal blooms. Viruses are also known to cause shifts in bacterial community diversity which could affect algal bloom phases. This study investigated on changes of bacterial and viral abundances, bacterial physiological status, and on bacterial successional pattern associated with the harmful benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata in batch cultures over the algal growth cycle. Bacterial community phylogenetic structure was assessed by 16S rRNA gene ION torrent sequencing. A comparison between bacterial community retrieved in cultures and that one co‐occurring in situ during the development of the O. cf. ovata bloom from where the algal strain was isolated was also reported. Bacterial community growth was characterized by a biphasic pattern with the highest contributions (~60%) of highly active bacteria found at the two bacterial exponential growth steps. An alphaproteobacterial consortium composed by the Rhodobacteraceae Dinoroseobacter (22.2%–35.4%) and Roseovarius (5.7%–18.3%), together with Oceanicaulis (14.2‐40.3%), was strongly associated with O. cf. ovata over the algal growth. The Rhodobacteraceae members encompassed phylotypes with an assessed mutualistic‐pathogenic bimodal behavior. Fabibacter (0.7%–25.2%), Labrenzia (5.6%–24.3%), and Dietzia (0.04%–1.7%) were relevant at the stationary phase. Overall, the successional pattern and the metabolic and functional traits of the bacterial community retrieved in culture mirror those ones underpinning O. cf. ovata bloom dynamics in field. Viral abundances increased synoptically with bacterial abundances during the first bacterial exponential growth step while being stationary during the second step. Microbial trends also suggest that viruses induced some shifts in bacterial community composition.

Mechanisms driving phosphorus release during algal blooms based on hourly changes in iron and phosphorus concentrations in sediments

Algal growth causes a drastic change in aquatic conditions over a diel cycle, which may induce sensitive feedback systems in sediments, causing P release. In this study, a microcosm experiment was performed using a suction sampler (Rhizon) to observe changes in soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and soluble Fe(II) concentrations in the top 20 mm sediment layer on a 3-h time interval, at different phases of harmful algal bloom (HAB) development. The results showed that the algal blooms prevailed up to 15 days after incubation, after which the process of bloom collapse proceeded until the 70th day. The concentrations of pore-water soluble Fe(II) and SRP increased throughout the incubation period. Compared to day 1, maximum increases of 214% in soluble Fe(II) and 387% in SRP were observed at night during the bloom and collapse periods, respectively. The diffusive fluxes of Fe and P at the sediment-water interface (SWI) generally corresponded to their changes in concentrations. Hourly fluctuation in soluble Fe(II) and SRP concentrations were observed with two distinct concentration peaks occurred at 21:00 p.m. and 06:00 a.m. (or 03:00 a.m.), respectively. These findings suggest that Fe-P coupling mechanisms are responsible for the release of P from sediments. During the collapse period, soluble Fe(II) concentrations were suppressed by the increase of labile S(-II) at night. Meanwhile, SRP concentrations were decoupled from Fe cycling with small fluctuations (<11% RSD) on an hourly timescale, and the decomposition of algae was a dominant source contributing to the release of P from sediments. These results significantly improved the understanding of processes and mechanisms behind the stimulated release of P from sediments during HABs.

Влияние отдельных агроприемов на семенную продуктивность различных по скороспелости сортов картофеля при выращивании в условиях центрального региона Нечерноземной зоны России

The article presents information on the influence of spacing and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops on the productivity of seed potatoes. We studied the early ripening variety Zhukovskiy ranniy and the medium-ripened variety Javar. The aim of the research is to determine the spacing and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops, at which the highest yield of seed tubers. Research was done from 2009 to 2011 in breeding crop rotation of the Smolensk State Agricultural Experimental Station named after A.N. Engelhardt. Soil sod-podzolic light loamy. Fertility is typical for the Smolensk region. The experimental setup consisted of 2 factors. 1. The scheme of planting: 70x25 cm and 70x35 cm. 2. The periods of the removal of vegetable tops: 7, 14 and 21 days from the beginning of the mass bloom phase. Monitoring of strucking potato by viruses, yield and output per 1 ha of seed tubers. Methods of research and agrotechnics are widespread. The highest productivity by Zhukovskiy ranniy variety was noted in the scheme of planting 70h25 cm and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops 21 days from the beginning of the mass bloom phase (284.9 thousand tubers per a hectare). The highest output of seed tubers by Javar variety was noted in option «70x25 cm and 7 days» (376.0 thousand tubers per a hectare). In variant «70x25 cm and 7 days» was noted the most healthier seed material. As compared with option «70x35 cm and 21 days» the plant damage by viruses was more than two times less. The struck of potato plants to a latent viral infection was lower by 25% and more.

Metaproteomics reveals major microbial players and their metabolic activities during the blooming period of a marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense.

Interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton during bloom events are essential for both partners, which impacts their physiology, alters ambient chemistry and shapes ecosystem diversity. Here, we investigated the community structure and metabolic activities of free-living bacterioplankton in different blooming phases of a dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense using a metaproteomic approach. The Fibrobacteres-Chlorobi-Bacteroidetes group, Rhodobacteraceae, SAR11 and SAR86 clades contributed largely to the bacterial community in the middle-blooming phase while the Pseudoalteromonadaceae exclusively dominated in the late-blooming phase. Transporters and membrane proteins, especially TonB-dependent receptors were highly abundant in both blooming phases. Proteins involved in carbon metabolism, energy metabolism and stress response were frequently detected in the middle-blooming phase while proteins participating in proteolysis andcentral carbon metabolism were abundant in the late-blooming phase. Beta-glucosidase with putative algicidal capability was identified from the Pseudoalteromonadaceae only in the late-blooming phase, suggesting an active role of this group in lysing P. donghaiense cells. Our results indicated that diverse substrate utilization strategies and different capabilities for environmental adaptation among bacteria shaped their distinct niches in different bloom phases, and certain bacterial species from the Pseudoalteromonadaceae might be crucial for the termination of a dinoflagellate bloom.

Investigating the impacts of treated effluent discharge on coastal water health (Visakhapatnam, SW coast of Bay of Bengal, India)

The present study investigated the impacts of treated effluent discharge on physicochemical and biological properties of coastal waters from three pharmaceuticals situated along the coast of Visakhapatnam (SW Bay of Bengal). Seawater samples were collected (during the months of December 2013, March 2014 and April 2014) from different sampling locations (Chippada (CHP), Tikkavanipalem (TKP) and Nakkapalli (NKP)) at 0- and 30-m depths within 2-km radius (0.5km = inner, 1km = middle and 2km = outer sampling circles) from the marine outfall points. Physicochemical and biological parameters, which differed significantly within the stations, were likely to be influenced by strong seasonality rather than local discharge. Dissolved oxygen variability was tightly coupled with both physical and biological processes. Phytoplankton cell density and total chlorophyll (TChla) concentrations were significantly correlated with dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations. CHP (December) represented a diatom bloom condition where the highest concentrations of diatom cells, total chlorophyll (TChla), dissolved oxygen coupled with lower zooplankton abundance and low nutrient levels were noticed. The centric diatom, Chaetoceros sp. (> 50%) dominated the phytoplankton community. TKP (March) represented a post-diatom bloom phase with the dominance ofPseudo-nitzschia seriata; zooplankton abundance and nutrient concentrations were minimum. Conversely, NKP (April) represented a warm well-stratified heterotrophic period with maximum zooplankton and minimum phytoplankton density. Dinoflagellate abundance increased at this station. Relatively higher water temperature, salinity, inorganic nutrients coupled with very low concentrations of dissolved oxygen, TChla and pH were observed at this station. Copepods dominated the zooplankton communities in all stations and showed their highest abundance in the innermost sampling circles. Treated effluent discharge did not seem to have any significant impact at these discharge points.

Solute – 〈111〉 interstitial loop interaction in α-Fe: A DFT study

Density functional theory calculations of the interaction of solute atoms with 〈111〉 SIA loops in Fe have been performed in large supercells. Using the data obtained, it is shown that for the pressure vessel steel solute concentration, and under equilibrium conditions, a large amount of P, Si and Mn atoms can be found inside the loops, close to its border. A lower amount of Cu would be found mostly outside the loop, whereas Cr would be neither inside nor outside the loop. No solute segregation is predicted in the center of the loop in agreement with the toroidal picture one associates with these loops. Ni and Mn tend to enhance the interaction of other solutes with the loop and the strain contributes to enhancing the chemical interaction for these two elements which can shed light on the formation of the so-called late blooming phases in RPV steels. Interatomic potentials predictions are quite poor except for the Fe-P interatomic potential derived by Ackland et al. [1].