Diatoms In Waters Research Articles

Oceanic distribution of inorganic germanium relative to silicon: Germanium discrimination by diatoms

Seventeen inorganic germanium and silicon concentration profiles collected from the Atlantic, southwest Pacific, and Southern oceans are presented. A plot of germanium concentration versus silicon concentration produced a near‐linear line with a slope of 0.760 × 10−6 (±0.004) and an intercept of 1.27 (±0.24) pmol L−1 (r2 = 0.993, p < 0.001). When the germanium‐to‐silicon ratios (Ge/Si) were plotted versus depth and/or silicon concentrations, higher values are observed in surface waters (low in silicon) and decreased with depth (high in silicon). Germanium‐to‐silicon ratios in diatoms (0.608–1.03 × 10−6) and coupled seawater samples (0.471–7.46 × 10−6) collected from the Southern Ocean are also presented and show clear evidence for Ge/Si fractionation between the water and opal phases. Using a 10 box model (based on PANDORA), Ge/Si fractionation was modeled using three assumptions: (1) no fractionation, (2) fractionation using a constant distribution coefficient (KD) between the water and solid phase, and (3) fractionation simulated using Michaelis‐Menten uptake kinetics for germanium and silicon via the silicon uptake system. Model runs indicated that only Ge/Si fractionation based on differences in the Michaelis‐Menten uptake kinetics for germanium and silicon can adequately describe the data. The model output using this fractionation process produced a near linear line with a slope of 0.76 × 10−6 and an intercept of 0.92 (±0.28) pmol L−1, thus reflecting the oceanic data set. This result indicates that Ge/Si fractionation in the global ocean occurs as a result of subtle differences in the uptake of germanium and silicon via diatoms in surface waters.

High numbers of Trichodesmium and diazotrophic diatoms in the southwest Indian Ocean

We observed high cell numbers of large (>50μm) nitrogen‐fixing phytoplankton to the south and east of Madagascar in February 2005. The distribution of the nitrogen‐fixing (diazotrophic) taxa found was markedly different: Trichodesmium was most abundant (500–1000 trichomes L−1) in the waters at the southern tip of Madagascar; while high numbers of diazotrophic diatoms (125–500 cells L−1) were limited to the southeast of Madagascar. Using literature values of nitrogen‐fixation per cell, we estimate potential rates of nitrogen‐fixation for Trichodesmium (south of Madagascar) of 1–5 mmol N m−2 d−1 and for diazotrophic diatoms (east of Madagascar) of 0.4–2.4 mmol N m−2 d−1. These cell‐based estimates highlight the potential for significant nitrogen‐fixation in the southwest Indian Ocean. High numbers of diazotrophic diatoms in subtropical waters to the east of Madagascar may have important implications for the biogeochemistry of the austral phytoplankton bloom in this region.

Shift of algal community structure in dead end lagoons of the Delaware Inland Bays during seasonal anoxia

Development of seasonal anoxia and algal blooms was studied in Torquay Canal and Bald Eagle Creek, 2 dead end canals in the northern Rehoboth Bay, one of the 3 Delaware Inland Bays. Mean low water depth is ca. 2 m, but dredging has produced over a dozen holes with a water depth of 5.5 m. From May to September 2002, in situ temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O 2 and H 2 S were measured in the water column. Nutrients (NO 3 - , NO 2 - , NH 4 + and PO 4 3- ) were analyzed and the dominant members of the phytoplankton community were identified and numerated from samples collected in conjunction with in situ depth profiles. In early May, a significant potential harmful Prorocentrum minimum bloom (275 μg 1 -1 chl a) was present in Torquay Canal. Dissolved O 2 was supersaturated in the surface water, but H 2 S developed below 2 m as the water column stratified. Diatom blooms were observed in late May and mid-July, the only times that O 2 penetrated deeper, but their biomass was not significant. In early September, a storm over 3 d partially mixed the water column, and a large Heterosigma akashiwo bloom (231 μg 1 -1 chl a) was observed. Our data indicate that nutrients accumulated in the water column from runoff, organic matter decomposition, and from Fe(III) (oxy)hydroxide reduction in sediments. High concentrations of H 2 S, NH 4 + and PO 4 3- were present in the bottom waters during summer. PO 4 3- and NH 4 + from the bottom water entered shallower waters as the oxic-anoxic interface moved up to the surface. The supply of nutrients from bottom to surface waters supported harmful algal blooms during seasonal anoxic conditions as dinoflagellates and flagellates dominated over diatoms in surface waters. Seasonal anoxia development is not only a potential threat to fish and shellfish but also causes shifts of algal species to potentially harmful taxa.

Late Quaternary paleoceanographic changes in the southwestern Okhotsk Sea: Evidence from geochemical, radiolarian, and diatom records

Abstract High-resolution analyses of geochemical parameters (biogenic opal, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, and nitrogen) and microfossil assemblages (diatoms and radiolarians) on Core MD01-2412 clarified detailed paleoceanographic changes such as sea-ice cover and biological production in the southwestern Okhotsk Sea during the last 115 kyr. An age model of Core MD01-2412 was established based on δ18O stratigraphy, accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) 14C, and tephrochronology. Sea-ice history reconstructed by siliceous microplankton records indicated that the present sea-ice condition was formed during the last 8 kyr. Only during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 was the duration of sea-ice cover in this region much longer than that of today (4–5 months a year). Two diatom species, Thalassionema nitzschioides and Fragilariopsis doliolus, revealed that the Soya Warm Current Water (SWCW) flowed into the Okhotsk Sea near the site of Core MD01-2412 during the last 12–14 kyr and during MIS 5a, and was associated with sea-level rise. Biological productivity rapidly increased during MIS 1, associated with sea-ice retreat. Two major increases of organic carbon (OC) contents (wt%) and Corg/N ratios were observed, and the timings of these events were 15.8–16.7 ka (Event 1) and 13.1–13.6 ka (Event 2). Corresponding to these events, the abundance of Cycladophora davisiana, an intermediate water dwelling radiolarian species, increased. This high C. davisiana abundance can be correlated to the input of terrestrial organic matter from the submerged shelf to the intermediate water. Apart from the radiolarians, the production of diatoms in the surface waters was suppressed by the development of well-stratified surface water along with sea-ice melting during the early Holocene. Diatom production increased gradually during the last 10 kyr with enhanced vertical mixing.

Diversity and distribution of epibiotic bacteria on Pseudo- nitzschia multiseries (Bacillariophyceae) in culture, and comparison with those on diatoms in native seawater

Previous studies on the interaction between bacteria and harmful algal bloom species have mostly considered the bacteria in the bulk solution. Here, we document the abundance and mode of attachment of bacteria growing on the cell surface of the domoic acid-producing diatom Pseudo- nitzschia multiseries (Hasle) Hasle in culture, compared with diatoms in field samples. The epiphytic bacteria were examined by scanning electron microscopy to visualize their morphology and mode of attachment. Two P. multiseries cultures were studied: clone CLN-1 and sub-clone CLN-1-NRC; the latter had been maintained in another laboratory for 2 years. Each of these P. multiseries cultures exhibited a clearly different assemblage of epibiotic bacteria, even though both originated from the same parent culture. The bacterial diversity was greater in clone CLN-1 (nine distinct morphotypes seen) than in sub-clone CLN-1-NRC (six morphotypes). The former clone also produced more domoic acid than the latter. There was a succession of bacterial morphotypes as well as an increase in the number of epiphytic bacteria per diatom cell during the progression from exponential to stationary phase. The most diverse and common morphotypes were rod-shaped cells (e.g. a Caulobacter-like bacterium attached by a discoid holdfast). Epibionts showed a preference for attachment at specific regions of the host diatom frustule, e.g. the raphe or cingulum, locations where organic matter may be extruding from the diatom cell. Most diatom cells carried only one to five bacteria, and up to ca. 60% of the intact diatom cells (although intact cells themselves were infrequent) were still free of epibiotic bacteria at the end of the 31-day batch culture experiment. Sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene showed that five of the eight bacterial strains isolated from the P. multiseries cultures were members of the Alphaproteobacteria, three of the Gammaproteobacteria and one of the Bacteroidetes. A morphologically diverse assemblage of epibiotic bacteria was also found on both centric and pennate planktonic diatoms in natural coastal waters. Of the eight morphotypes recorded, all but two were also found in the cultures. Relatively fewer wild diatom cells carried bacteria compared to cells in culture. We hypothesize that the diversity and abundance of epiphytic bacteria may explain some of the variability seen in the production of DA by different P. multiseries clones, and should be considered as another important and controllable variable that influences diatom cell physiology.

Diatom associations in shelf waters off Paraná State, Southern Brazil: annual variation in relation to environmental factors

The seasonal variation of diatoms in the inshore waters off Paraná State, Southern Brazil was investigated to analyse their temporal dynamics and to detect the main environmental constraints of the planktonic community. Biomass peaks occurred from May to August and from December to March. Among the microplanktonic diatoms, Cerataulina pelagica, Chaetoceros spp., Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, Guinardia striata, Lauderia annulata, Leptocylindrus spp., Pseudo-nitzschia cf. delicatissima, P. australis, Rhizosolenia spp., Skeletonema costatum and Thalassionema nitzschioides were dominant species. Nanoplanktonic diatoms were dominated by Naviculaceae, Nitzschia spp., Thalassiosira spp. and Chaetoceros cf. tenuissimus. Concentrations of most of the species decreased during and just after the blooms of Phaeocystis pouchetii in September and of Coscinodiscus wailesii in April. Based on cluster analysis and interpretations of the environmental parameters monitored, six diatom associations were discerned. Four main environmental factors were attributed as the determinants for the grouping: (a) the stronger influence of the tropical oligotrophic waters of the Brazil Current in spring/summer, (b) the alternation between dry and rainy (nutrient-richer) seasons, (c) the influence of subantarctic waters mixed with coastal ones in fall/winter, bringing cold species and promoting the growth of autochthonous species, and (d) the blooms of nanoplanktonic (Phaeocystis) and microplanktonic (C. wailesii) species.

Observations of resuspended diatoms in the turbid tidal edge

Observations of resuspended diatoms in the shallow waters (<60 cm) of the turbid tidal edge are described for single sites on two tidal flats–the Molenplaat in the Westerschelde estuary, and the Hond in the Ems-Dollard estuary, The Netherlands. High concentrations of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) were observed in the trailing edge of the ebbing tide in water depths of <20 cm, after which concentrations decreased markedly. Peak mean values were 19 μg chl-a l −1 in 10 cm of water at the Molenplaat, and 45 μg chl-a l −1 in 5 cm of water at the Hond. Similar trends were observed on the flooding tide, although peak values were far less pronounced (6 and 30 μg chl-a l −1 respectively). Microscopic examination of the diatom community within the turbid tidal edge at the Molenplaat revealed that peaks in biomass were caused by suspended benthic diatoms, as well as the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus sp., particularly on the ebb tide. Planktonic diatoms other than Coscinodiscus sp. were more randomly distributed and did not appear to follow any particular trend. It would seem that as the tide recedes, resuspended benthic diatoms and large Coscinodiscus sp. cells become concentrated in the shallow water. However, the virtual absence of Coscinodiscus sp. from the leading edge of the flooding tide suggests that most of the resuspended cells do not settle to the seabed, but are washed away into the channels. The small peak of benthic diatoms at the leading edge of the flood tide is most likely resuspended locally from the sediment, along with large numbers of diatom frustules.

Seasonal variation in abundance and species composition of a planktonic diatom assemblage including viable cells on the bottom in matsushima bay, northeastern japan

Seasonal variation in abundance and species composition of a planktonic diatom assemblage distributed in the water column and also settled on the bottom was investigated for the shallow coastal water in Matsushima Bay on the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan during the period from October 1999 to September 2000. A spring bloom of diatoms began in April when nutrient concentrations started to increase, indicating the importance of nutrients. Viable cells of Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira spp., which were the dominant species in the water column throughout the year, were also always abundant in the bottom sediment. Both populations in the water column and on the bottom fluctuated essentially in parallel. For the planktonic diatoms in shallow coastal waters to maintain their vegetative populations in the water, column, it would be advantageous for them to have a seeding population of viable cells on the bottom that are easily resuspended into the upper photic layer.

Selection and processing of large suspended algae in the oyster Crassostrea gigas

The mechanisms and sites of processing and selection of large natural algal particles were studied in the oyster Crassostrea gigas, which possesses a heterorhabdic pseudolamellibranch gill type. Endoscopic observations of processing 1000 cells ml -1 suspensions of the pennate diatoms Pleurosigma planctonicum and Rhizosolenia setigera were performed, as well as endoscope-directed sampling of 100 cells ml -1 mixed suspensions of intact (25%) and empty (75%) 150 × 200 µm Coscino- discus perforatus. Video endoscopy was used to observe processing on the gill and to allow in vivo sampling of contents of the dorsal and ventral particle tracts, while pseudofaeces was collected from the individual flow-through chambers. Selection indices were calculated for empty C. perforatus at each processing site. Only those P. planctonicum orientated in a dorso-ventral position could enter the principal filaments (PF) for delivery to the dorsal acceptance tract. R. setigera almost never entered the PF, being prevented by its curved and twisted shape. Visual counts of intact versus empty C. perforatus were done on samples from the ambient medium, ventral and dorsal particle tracts, and pseudofaeces. They showed that the percentages of intact and empty cells in both the dorsal and ventral particle tracts were identical to those initially presented (Kruskal-Wallis test; p > 0.05). In con- trast, the pseudofaeces contained over 98% empty cells (Kruskal-Wallis test; p ≤ 0.001, degree of selection ranged from +29 to +34%). These results show that (1) large natural particles within the size range naturally encountered by C. gigas may only be subjected to qualitative selection on the gills if their shape and dimension allow them to enter the PF, and (2) the site of selection for particles unable to enter the PF is not the gill, but rather the labial palps. Selection sites and mechanisms in heterorhabdic bivalves should therefore be studied over the entire range of naturally available particle sizes. Given the periodic dominance of large diatoms in coastal temperate waters, the labial palp processing site could be of considerable importance in the dynamics of seston flow in oyster- dominated ecosystems.

Planktonic centric diatom Minidiscus chilensis dominated sediment trap material in eastern Bransfield Strait, Antarctica

The planktonic centric diatom Minidiscus chilensis Rivera was collected over 1 yr in a sediment trap at 1000 m depth in one of the deep basins in the eastern Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. The valves of this diatom are 3 to 8 μm in diameter and quadrangular in girdle view. The center of each valve is prominently hyaline with 3 strutted processes and a labiate process. M. chilensis was observed in all of the sediment trap samples collected between December 25, 1998 and December 24, 1999. The flux of M. chilensisinto the trap varied considerably according to season, with the highest flux of 2.4 x 10 9 valves m -2 d -1 (87 % of total diatom valve flux) occurring in mid January when the mooring area was free of sea-ice. The dominance of M. chilensis among planktonic diatoms in Antarctic open waters has not been previously recorded. Our study suggests that M. chilensis should be included in future quantitative analyses and should be considered an important species for understanding the ecological structure of Antarctic waters.

Microplankton community structure and the impact of microzooplankton grazing during an Emiliania huxleyi bloom, off the Devon coast

Phytoplankton and microzooplankton community structure and the impact of microzooplankton grazing were investigated during a one-day study of an Emiliania huxleyi bloom off the coast of Devon during July 1999. Vertical profiles were undertaken at four stations, along a transect which crossed from a low reflectance to a high reflectance area as seen by satellite imagery. Microzooplankton dilution grazing experiments, coupled with pigment analysis to determine class specific grazing rates, were performed at two of these stations.Highest concentrations of chlorophyll-a (5·3 mg m−3) and accessory pigments were measured inside the area of high reflectance. Phytoplankton standing stocks ranged between 1588 and 5460 mg C m−2 and were also highest in the area of high reflectance. The phytoplankton community was dominated by coccolithophores and diatoms in low reflectance waters and by photosynthetic dinoflagellates in high reflectance areas. Microzooplankton standing stocks ranged between 905 and 2498 mg C m−2. Protozoa dominated the microzooplankton community. The protozoan community comprised a relatively even mixture of heterotrophic dinoflagellates, non-choreotrich and choreotrich ciliates in low reflectance waters. However, non-choreotrich ciliates dominated the communities inside the high reflectance area. Of the heterotrophic ciliates, a predatory ciliate Askenasia sp. dominated both non-choreotrich abundance and biomass.Results from grazing experiments showed that 60–64% of the chlorophyll-a biomass was consumed daily by the microzooplankton. Highest grazing mortality was associated with peridinin (dinoflagellates) and alloxanthin (cryptophytes). Lower grazing rates were found on fucoxanthin (diatoms and prymnesiophytes). Our results indicate that grazing on E. huxleyi in the area of remotely sensed high reflectance was low and highest grazing was on photosynthetic dinoflagellates and cryptophytes.

Distribution of diatoms along the equatorial transect in the western and central Pacific during the 1999 La Niña conditions

Abstract Diatoms in the surface waters were sampled at 22 stations (7°N, 134°E–0°, 170°W) in the western and central equatorial Pacific during December 1998–January 1999 in order to determine the distribution, abundance and composition of taxa. In addition, two types of oceanographic condition and nutrient regimes were investigated. The observed diatom distribution is significantly constrained by the water masses: the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) located in the west and the EUR (Equatorial Upwelling Region) located in the east. Along a transect from west to east, total standing stocks slightly increased. While the standing stock of pennate diatoms was almost uniform throughout the sampled stations, that of centric diatoms increased in the EUR. In addition, a more diverse species assemblage was found in the EUR than in the WPWP. Nitzschia bicapitata, a pennate diatom, was the dominant species and occurred ubiquitously both in the WPWP and the EUR. Thalassionema nitzschioides, another pennate species, was also present, with high relative abundance throughout the sampled stations. The majority of centric taxa, such as the Thalassiosira complex, Chaetoceros atlanticus var. neapolitana and Rhizosolenia bergonii, occurred only in the EUR. Such a clear-cut distribution of the key taxa is attributed to changes in environmental conditions from west to east along the Equator: increase in salinity, nutrients, and decrease in temperature. Thus, the diatom assemblages in the western and central equatorial Pacific reflect the hydrographic and nutritional conditions of the surface waters.

Photosystem II electron transfer cycle and chlororespiration in planktonic diatoms.

The dominance of diatoms in turbulent waters suggests special adaptations to the wide fluctuations in light intensity that phytoplankton must cope with in such an environment. Our recent demonstration of the unusually effective photoprotection by the xanthophyll cycle in diatoms [Lavaud et al. (2002) Plant Physiol 129 (3) (in press)] also revealed that failure of this protection led to inactivation of oxygen evolution, but not to the expected photoinhibition. Photo-oxidative damage might be prevented by an electron transfer cycle around Photosystem II (PS II). The induction of such a cycle at high light intensity was verified by measurements of the flash number dependence of oxygen production in a series of single-turnover flashes. After a few minutes of saturating illumination, the oxygen flash yields are temporarily decreased. The deficit in oxygen production amounts to at most 3 electrons per PS II, but continues to reappear with a half time of 2 min in the dark until the total pool of reducing equivalents accumulated during the illumination has been consumed by (chloro)respiration. This is attributed to an electron transfer pathway from the plastoquinone pool or the acceptor side of PS II to the donor side of PS II that is insignificant at limiting light intensity but is accelerated to milliseconds at excess light intensity. Partial filling of the 3-equivalents capacity of the cyclic electron transfer path in PS II may prevent both acceptor-side photoinhibition in oxygen-evolving PS II and donor-side photoinhibition when the oxygen-evolving complex is temporarily inactivated.

The downward flux of biogenic material in the NE subarctic Pacific: importance of algal sinking and mesozooplankton herbivory

In the present study we examine factors that affect the downward flux of biogenic carbon in the NE subarctic Pacific, one of the important high-nutrient-low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regions in the open ocean. We focus on the role of mesozooplankton, since their seasonal peaks in biomass and growth are in phase with the seasonal variations in the downward POC fluxes, whereas phytoplankton biomass is more-or-less uniform year-round. The relative importance of mesozooplankton and algal sinking was examined using the pigment composition of material accumulated in short-term free-drifting sediment traps positioned just below the upper stratified surface layer (ca. 100–200 m). This was compared with the phytoplankton composition in the surface waters, and with the grazing activity (gut pigments and fecal pellet production rates) of the most abundant large copepods. We also examined whether the relationships between the downward flux of carbon and pelagic processes were similar in the coastal, continental margin and offshore HNLC regions of the NE subarctic Pacific, the latter represented by Ocean Station Papa (OSP). Our results show that grazing had a variable impact on the downward flux of biogenic carbon. Carbon-transformed pheopigments (particularly pyropheophorbide a, frequently associated with copepod grazing) represented up to 13% of the total downward POC flux inshore (in May 1996) and 8–9% at OSP in May and February 1996, respectively. This flux of pheopigments was accompanied by a large potential input of fecal pellets from large copepods (as estimated from defecation rates of freshly collected animals) only in May 1996 at OSP, suggesting that pheopigments came from other sources (other herbivores, senescing algae) in February. The larger flux of pheopigments in May was probably related to the abundance of mesozooplankton at that time of the year. During summer (August 1996), both the flux of pheopigments and the potential input of fecal pellets from large copepods were negligible at OSP, consistent with more intense pelagic recycling reported in other studies. Inshore, the flux of carbon-transformed pheopigments was slightly higher than at OSP, and its contribution to the downward POC flux in May 1996 was twice that in August 1996. In contrast, the potential input of feces carbon was higher in August than in May 1996, again suggesting other sources for pheopigments found in the traps. The contribution of sinking phytoplankton to the downward biogenic flux was negligible in summer, when prymnesiophytes (indicated by the presence of 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin) and pelagophytes (19′-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin-containing) dominated in surface offshore waters. The contribution of sinking algae was maximal (9%) in winter (February 1996) at OSP, when fucoxanthin (mainly a diatom marker) dominated the carotenoid composition in the traps and when the abundance of diatoms in surface waters showed its seasonal maximum for this station. Inshore, the low contribution of diatoms (fucoxanthin) to the sinking fluxes may have resulted from inadequate sampling (i.e. the spring bloom may have been missed). Overall, we conclude that: (a) large copepods significantly influenced the downward POC flux only during spring at OSP; (b) unidentified herbivores (e.g. salps, pteropods) producing pigmented, fast-sinking fecal material likely had an important impact during winter; (c) algal sinking made a small contribution to the downward POC flux (maximum in winter); and (d) neither algal sinking nor mesozooplankton grazing had a significant influence on the downward flux of biogenic material in summer at OSP.

Controls on the carbon-isotope compositions of compounds in Peru surface waters

We sampled suspended organic matter from two east–west transects across the Peru upwelling region and determined the taxonomic and regional variability of the relationships between photosynthetic fractionation (ε p ) and environmental conditions for diatoms, dinoflagellates, and total photosynthate. We also examined controls on the δ 13C values of zooplankton-derived sterols and suspended particulate organic carbon (SPM). Ratios of chlorophyll- a (chl- a) to SPM suggest that light limited diatom growth rates along the northern transect, while nutrients apparently limited growth along the southern transect. In the southern transect, three different diatom-derived sterols exhibit similar ε p –growth rate relationships, consistent with previous results indicating that diatoms in Peru waters employ active transport of bicarbonate and were growth-limited by silicate. Phytol, largely synthesized by primary producers, and zooplanktonic sterols exhibited relationships similar to the diatom sterols, but correlation coefficients between their respective ε p values and environmental conditions were significantly lower. Values of ε p calculated from particulate organic carbon (POC) did not correlate with specific environmental variables, possibly due to the overprint of spatial variations in phytoplankton assemblages on δ 13C POC. These results suggest that the quality of environmental interpretation based upon carbon-isotopic composition decreases as particulate organic matter and target biomarkers become less taxon-specific due to contributions from multiple sources.

High-West and Low-East Distribution Patterns of Chlorophyll a, Primary Productivity and Diatoms in the Subarctic North Pacific Surface Waters, Midwinter 1996

We have determined chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration, primary productivity, cell density and species composition of diatoms, and the number of microzooplankton at the surface in the subarctic North Pacific in January 1996. The wet weight of copepods obtained by vertical tows from 150 m to the surface was also measured during the cruise. Chla concentration and primary productivity tended to be higher in the region west of 180°, the western subarctic North Pacific (WSNP), than east of 180°, the eastern subarctic North Pacific (ESNP). The same results were observed for the total diatom cell densities and for the genera Thalassiosira and Denticulopsis. Significant linear relationships were observed between the Thalassiosira cell density and Chla concentration and primary productivity, indicating that Thalassiosira contributes to the high-WSNP and low-ESNP distribution patterns of Chla concentration and primary productivity. Moreover, naked ciliate abundance tended to be lower in the WSNP than in the ESNP, whereas copepod biomass showed an inverse trend. Significantly negative Spearman rank correlations were found between the Thalassiosira cell density and the number of naked ciliates and between the number of naked ciliates and the wet weight of copepods. These results indicate that copepod grazing indirectly controls Thalassiosira cell density via predation on the naked ciliates. We conclude that the high copepod biomass in the WSNP is a factor controlling the high-WSNP and low-ESNP Thalassiosira abundance and hence Chla concentration and primary productivity patterns.

Phytoplancton en baie de Seine. Influence du panache fluvial sur la production primaire

Phytoplankton distribution and primary productivity were investigated in the Bay of Seine (eastern English Channel, France) in spring and early summer of 1992 and 1994. In 1992, the horizontal distribution of phytoplankton species was determined over the whole Bay of Seine. In 1994, species distribution and primary productivity were studied along the salinity gradient of the Seine plume and in the neighbouring marine waters. Phytoplankton distribution was characterised by the permanent diatom dominance from early spring to early summer. The spring bloom did not occur uniformly over the bay, but was initiated in the marine waters, in the middle of the bay and progressed towards the coast where it developed, in June, in the diluted waters of the Seine plume. Phytoplankton distribution was also characterised by the dominance of large diatoms ( Rhizosolenia) in marine waters and by the dominance of small species ( Skeletonema costatum, Asterionella glacialis) in the plume waters. The greatest abundance of large diatoms was generally encountered below the euphotic zone. This accumulation seemed to be related to cell sedimentation and advection of marine waters below the diluted plume waters. The daily carbon productivity range was 1.4 to 3 g m −2 d −1. The highest values were measured in the plume waters (S > 28), suggesting the primary productivity in the plume was more controlled by light than by nutrients. The photic zone productivity/ chlorophyll a ratios (P/B; producted carbon per unit of Chl a) were close to 40 mg mg −1 d −1 in the plume waters. P/B exceptionally reached 90 mg mg −1 d −1 in early summer. This value corresponded to a fast growing population of S. costatum. In marine waters, P/B varied from 22 mg mg −1 d −1, in spring, to 43 mg mg −1 d −1, in early summer.

Influence of iron availability on nutrient consumption ratio of diatoms in oceanic waters

The major nutrients (nitrate, phosphate and silicate) needed for phytoplankton growth are abundant in the surface waters of the subarctic Pacific, equatorial Pacific and Southern oceans, but this growth is limited by the availability of iron1,2,3,4,5. Under iron-deficient conditions, phytoplankton exhibit reduced uptake of nitrate6 and lower cellular levels of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus7. Here I describe seawater and culture experiments which show that iron limitation can also affect the ratio of consumed silicate to nitrate and phosphate. In iron-limited waters from all three of the aforementioned environments, addition of iron to phytoplankton assemblages in incubation bottles halved the silicate:nitrate and silicate:phosphate consumption ratios, in spite of the preferential growth of diatoms (silica-shelled phytoplankton). The nutrient consumption ratios of the phytoplankton assemblage from the Southern Ocean were similar to those of an iron-deficient laboratory culture of Antarctic diatoms, which exhibit increased cellular silicon or decreased cellular nitrogen and phosphorus in response to iron limitation. Iron limitation therefore increases the export of biogenic silicon, relative to nitrogen and phosphorus, from the surface to deeper waters. These findings suggest how the sedimentary records of carbon and silicon deposition in the glacial Southern Ocean8 can be consistent with the idea that changes in productivity, and thus in drawdown of atmospheric CO2, during the last glaciation were stimulated by changes in iron inputs from atmospheric dust.

Composition and biomass of plankton in spring on the Cape Hatteras shelf, with implications for carbon flux

The Ocean Margins Program, an interdisciplinary study focussed at Cape Hatteras, is evaluating whether this region is a net source or sink for carbon, while concurrently developing a mechanistic understanding of the production, cycling and fate of organic carbon. Preliminary to a large multi-ship field program in 1996–1997, the first of several short cruises surveyed Cape Hatteras in May 1993. High concentrations of chl a occurred across the shelf. Stations and depths at which chl a was highest also showed elevated concentrations of large phytoplankton, predominantly chained diatoms, but also single-celled dinoflagellates and obligately photosynthetic ciliates. These populations occurred in deeper waters, however, and their abundance was poorly correlated with proxies of community photosynthesis. Instead, small phototrophic nanoplankton, abundant in surface waters, were positively correlated with primary production. Carbon budgets indicated that inner shelf waters contained ca 50% more living POC than outer shelf waters. The relative importance of large phytoplankton and grazers decreased with distance offshore, and they were replaced by photosynthetic nanoplankton and microzooplankton. Even greater changes in living POC occurred in the alongshore direction due to the dramatic reductions in diatoms in southern waters. Estimated herbivory was ca 2–4 gC m −2 d −1. The ratio of heterotrophic : autotrophic POC increased from 38% in northern waters to 137% in southern waters, suggesting that phytoplankton was being converted into consumer carbon as shelf waters advected south. The dominant consumers at most stations were single-celled protozoan zooplankton and small copepods, whose fecal products remain in suspension in energetic shelf environments, suggesting that much of the non-diatomaceous POC was exported as shelf waters exited at Cape Hatteras.

Effects of river water of different origin on the growth of marine dinoflagellates and diatoms in laboratory cultures

The hypothesis that acid humic-rich river water selectively favours dinoflagellates in comparison to diatoms in coastal waters was tested in two sets of laboratory experiments using unialgal cultures of marine phytoplankton. In the first experiment, three dinoflagellates, i.e., Prorocentrum minimum (Pav.) J. Schiller, P. micans Ehrenberg and Amphidinium carterae Hulburt, and three diatoms, i.e., Attheya decora T. West, Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve and Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, were grown in a mixture of 80% coastal ( S 20%.) and 20% river water. Water from seven different rivers was used. Four rivers had a high humic content (yellow substance 22.1 ± 0.9 · m −1) but lower inorganic N and P concentrations (“forest rivers”) while three rivers (“agricultural rivers”) had a lower humic content (10.7 ± 1.3 · m −1) but inorganic nutrient concentrations approximately three times as high as the forest rivers. The growth rates for the dinoflagellates were significantly higher in the medium with forest river water compared to the mixtures with agricultural river water while the opposite was true for the diatoms. In the second type of experiment, the diatom Ditylum brightwellii (T. West) Grun and the dinoflagellate P. minimum were grown, as semicontinuous dilution cultures, in mixtures of 90% coastal water ( S 20%.) and 10% river water. Water from four different rivers was used, one draining mainly agricultural soils and the other acidified humic-rich forested soils. River water of agricultural origin supported a higher D. brightwellii biomass and growth rate than river water draining forested soils while for P. minimum the opposite was true. Decreasing cell P quotas and increasing alkaline phosphatase activity indicated that D. brightwellii was P-deficient, especially when agricultural river water was added, while these physiological indices suggested that P. minimum cultures were not P-starved. Our results support the hypothesis that the discharge of acidified river water, rich in humic substances, to coastal waters, can play a role in shifting the species composition from diatoms to dinoflagellates.