Phytoplankton Community Dynamics Research Articles

Численность и сезонная динамика сообщества фитопланктона среднего течения реки Раздан (Армения) в 2018 году

Численность и сезонная динамика сообщества фитопланктона среднего течения реки Раздан (Армения) в 2018 году

The Fundamental Contribution of Phytoplankton Spectral Scattering to Ocean Colour: Implications for Satellite Detection of Phytoplankton Community Structure

There is increasing interdisciplinary interest in phytoplankton community dynamics as the growing environmental problems of water quality (particularly eutrophication) and climate change demand attention. This has led to a pressing need for improved biophysical and causal understanding of Phytoplankton Functional Type (PFT) optical signals, in order for satellite radiometry to be used to detect ecologically relevant phytoplankton assemblage changes. Biophysically and biogeochemically consistent phytoplankton Inherent Optical Property (IOP) models play an important role in achieving this understanding, as the optical effects of phytoplankton assemblage changes can be examined systematically in relation to the bulk optical water-leaving signal. The Equivalent Algal Populations (EAP) model is used here to investigate the source and magnitude of size- and pigment- driven PFT signals in the water-leaving reflectance, as well as the potential to detect these using satellite radiometry. This model places emphasis on the determination of biophysically consistent phytoplankton IOPs, with both absorption and scattering determined by mathematically cogent relationships to the particle complex refractive indices. All IOPs are integrated over an entire size distribution. A distinctive attribute is the model’s comprehensive handling of the spectral and angular character of phytoplankton scattering. Selected case studies and sensitivity analyses reveal that phytoplankton spectral scattering is most useful and the least ambiguous driver of the PFT signal. Key findings are that there is the most sensitivity in phytoplankton backscatter ( b b ϕ ) in the 1–6 μ m size range; the backscattering-driven signal in the 520 to 570 nm region is the critical PFT identifier at marginal biomass, and that, while PFT information does appear at blue wavelengths, absorption-driven signals are compromised by ambiguity due to biomass and non-algal absorption. Low signal in the red, due primarily to absorption by water, inhibits PFT detection here. The study highlights the need to quantitatively understand the constraints imposed by phytoplankton biomass and the IOP budget on the assemblage-related signal. A proportional phytoplankton contribution of approximately 40% to the total b b appears to a reasonable minimum threshold in terms of yielding a detectable optical change in R r s . We hope these findings will provide considerable insight into the next generation of PFT algorithms.

Regulation of phosphorus bioavailability by iron nanoparticles in a monomictic lake

Dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP) in lake systems is conventionally considered to predominate over other dissolved P species, however, this view neglects an important set of interactions that occurs between P and reactive iron hydroxide surfaces. This study addresses the coupling of P with dispersed iron nanoparticles in lakes, an interaction that may fundamentally alter the bioavailability of P to phytoplankton. We used diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and ultrafiltration to study Fe-P coupling in the water column of a monomictic lake over a hydrological year. Fe and P were predominantly colloidal (particle diameters > ~5 nm < ~20 nm) in both oxic epilimnetic and anaerobic hypolimnetic waters, but they were both DGT-labile under sub-oxic conditions, consistent with diffusion and dissolution of Fe-and-P-bearing colloids within the DGT diffusive gel. During peak stratification, increases in Fe and P bioavailability were spatially and temporally coincident with Fe nanoparticle dissolution and the formation of a deep chlorophyll maximum at 5–8 m depth. These results provide a window into the coupling and decoupling of P with mobile iron colloids, with implications for our understanding of the behaviour of nutrients and their influence on phytoplankton community dynamics.

Coastal phytoplankton community dynamics and coexistence driven by intragroup density‐dependence, light and hydrodynamics

Phytoplanktonic communities maintain a high diversity in a seemingly homogeneous environment, competing for the same set of resources. Many theories have been proposed to explain this coexistence despite likely competition, such as contrasted responses to temporal environmental variation. However, theory has developed at a faster pace than empirical evaluation using field data, which requires inferring drivers of community dynamics from observational time series. Here, we combine autoregressive models with a data set spanning more than 20 years of phytoplankton counts every two weeks, together with nutrients and physical variables. By comparing models dominated by nutrients or physical variables (hydrodynamics and climate), we first explore which abiotic factors contribute more to phytoplankton growth and decline. We find that physical drivers – such as irradiance, wind, and salinity – explain some of the variability in abundances unexplained by biotic interactions. In contrast, responses to nutrients explain less of the phytoplankton variability. Concerning biotic drivers of community dynamics, multivariate autoregressive models reveal that competition between different groups (genera) has a much weaker effect on population growth rates than competition within a group. In fact, the few biotic interactions between genera that are detected are frequently positive. Hence, our system is unlikely to be best represented as a set of competitors whose differing responses to fluctuating environments allow coexistence, as in ‘paradox of the plankton’ models with a storage effect or a relative nonlinearity of competition. Coexistence is more likely to result from high intragroup density‐dependence. Competition between phytoplanktonic groups and nutrient limitation are often invoked as drivers of phytoplankton dynamics; our findings suggest instead that more attention should be given to the physical structure of the environment and natural enemies such as grazers and pathogens, that could explain the high intraspecific density dependence found here.

Effects of climatically-modulated changes in solar radiation and wind speed on spring phytoplankton community dynamics in Lake Taihu, China.

Many studies have focused on the interactive effects of temperature increases due to global warming and nutrient enrichment on phytoplankton communities. Recently, non-temperature effects of climate change (e.g., decreases in wind speed and increases in solar radiation) on large lakes have received increasing attention. To evaluate the relative contributions of both temperature and non-temperature effects on phytoplankton communities in a large eutrophic subtropical shallow lake, we analyzed long-term monitoring data from Lake Taihu, China from 1997 to 2016. Results showed that Lake Taihu’s spring phytoplankton biovolume and composition changed dramatically over this time frame, with a change in dominant species. Stepwise multiple linear regression models indicated that spring phytoplankton biovolume was strongly influenced by total phosphorus (TP), light condition, wind speed and total nitrogen (TN) (radj2 = 0.8, p < 0.01). Partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) showed that light condition accounted for the greatest variation of phytoplankton community composition, followed by TP and wind speed, as well as the interactions between TP and wind speed. Our study points to the additional importance of non-temperature effects of climate change on phytoplankton community dynamics in Lake Taihu.

Estuarine algal responses to increasing nitrate concentrations during closed mouth conditions of oligotrophic systems: a laboratory microcosm experiment

Abstract The increasing incidence of eutrophication has potentially detrimental socio-economic and ecological consequences. This study aimed to elucidate the temporal dynamics of algal communities in response to increasing initial concentrations of inorganic nitrogen (particularly nitrate) – central components of eutrophication. A contained microcosm experiment was designed to mimic the conditions of shallow oligotrophic estuaries with high water residence times. Phytoplankton, microphytobenthos and filamentous algal community dynamics were observed over a 28-day experimental period under different nitrate regimes. Key observations included (1) accelerated filamentous algal growth, (2) rapid loss of phytoplankton biomass and abundance, and (3) reduced benthic diatom species diversity and richness in the “1.0 μm Nitrate Addition” treatment. Additionally, model results highlighted the positive relationship between filamentous algal growth and increased water temperature. From a global change perspective, the decline in microalgal abundance and diversity at the onset of filamentous algal growth in warm, N-enriched environments suggests a potential uncoupling of trophic pathways. However, the “Control” and “0.5 μm Nitrate Addition” treatments were similar in their algal responses, highlighting the ability of ecosystems to absorb small disturbances. Thus, it is critical that estuarine resilience is preserved to ensure continued provision of invaluable ecosystem services.

Grupos funcionales fitoplanctónicos en una laguna algal de alta tasa usada para la biorremediación de lixiviados de rellenos sanitarios

The functional group (FG) approach is used to predict the response of the composition of phytoplankton species to changes in the environmental conditions. We assessed for the first time the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in a High-Rate Algal Pond (HRAP), implemented for the bioremediation of landfill leachate, and using morphology-based functional groups (MBFG), under the American tropics conditions. These groups were later correlated with the physical and chemical variables of the system. Water samples were taken for biological, physical and chemical analysis for seven months. In addition, phytoplankton biovolumes were estimated and a canonical correlation analysis was performed to explain the relation between physical and chemical variables and FGs. Subsequently, the HRAP treated a medium-age leachate characterized by high concentrations of nutrients. Four MBFGs were identified (IV, V, VI and VII). Group V, conformed by phytoflagellates, was found to be dominant during the entire study period. This group proliferate in environments with high concentrations of organic matter, while contributing to the transformation of the contaminants present in the leachate. The largest biovolumes of Groups V and VII occurred during periods of low water levels and dissolved organic carbon. Finally, we show that the MBFG technique may be useful in understanding the dynamics of the phytoplankton community in the HRAP used for the treatment of landfill leachate.

B Vitamins and Their Congeners as Potential Drivers of Microbial Community Composition in an Oligotrophic Marine Ecosystem

AbstractDetermining the factors that influence marine microbial growth and community structure are critical for the understanding of global carbon cycling. Since the early twentieth century, it has been known that B vitamins play an important role in phytoplankton community dynamics. Limited oceanic dissolved B vitamin distributions indicate that these important coenzymes are present at picomolar levels, which could be too low to support maximal phytoplankton growth, and vast regions of the ocean exist where they are undetectable. Despite their importance, particulate B vitamin concentrations of field microbial populations are unknown. Here we report B vitamin concentrations measured in both the particulate and dissolved fractions, including multiple biochemically relevant B vitamin congeners. We establish their spatial distributions spanning distinct biogeographic and oceanographic regimes in the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and show that all congeners are present both dissolved in seawater and in suspended particles. We observe that B vitamins cooccur in patches defined by regional biogeographic and oceanographic features. Additionally, distinct patterns of congener relative abundance in the dissolved and particulate pools provide insight to biological and chemical cycling of these compounds between and within the dissolved and particulate pools. Finally, linear model results demonstrate that model fits of microbial assemblages are strongest when they include both inorganic nutrients and dissolved B vitamin concentrations. We believe that these findings represent an advance in our understanding of B vitamin oceanographic distributions and point to interesting hypotheses of their influence on marine microbial ecology.

Unraveling Phytoplankton Community Dynamics in the Northern Chukchi Sea Under Sea‐Ice‐Covered and Sea‐Ice‐Free Conditions

AbstractThe timing of sea ice retreat, light availability, and sea surface stratification largely control the phytoplankton community composition in the Chukchi Sea. This region is experiencing a significant warming trend, an overall decrease in sea ice cover, and a documented decline in annual sea ice persistence and thickness over the past several decades. The consequences of earlier seasonal sea ice retreat and a longer sea‐ice‐free season on phytoplankton community composition warrant investigation. We applied multivariate statistical techniques to elucidate the mechanisms that relate environmental variables to phytoplankton community composition in the Chukchi Sea using data collected during a single field campaign in the summer of 2011. Three phytoplankton groups emerged that were correlated with sea ice, sea surface temperature, nutrients, salinity, and light. Longer ice‐free duration in a future Chukchi Sea will result in warmer sea surface temperatures and nutrient depletion, which we conclude will favor other phytoplankton types over larger diatoms.

Dynamics of exopolymeric carbon pools in relation with phytoplankton succession along the salinity gradient of a temperate estuary (France)

In parallel to phytoplankton community dynamics, transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) and exopolymeric substances (EPS) were investigated along the salinity gradient of a temperate estuary (Seine estuary, Normandy, France) over the course of a year. The phytoplankton community was mainly dominated by marine diatom species (especially Skeletonema sp., Nitzschia sp., and Paralia sulcata) associated with a spring bloom of pico-eukaryotes and the development of Cryptophyceae in summer. The decreases in species richness and salinity were correlated along the estuary and a significant exponential relationship between species richness and primary production was identified. Concentrations of TEP and EPS (soluble and bound carbohydrates) are highly dynamic in this estuary and can reach respectively 69 mgC L−1, and 33 mgC L−1. TEP distribution was mainly related to physical factors (hydrodynamics, maximum turbidity zone formation and sediment resuspension) probably produced by stressed or dying phytoplankton, while EPS appeared to be excreted during the phytoplankton spring bloom. Soluble and bound EPS appear to be related to Skeletonema sp. and Cryptophyceae occurrences. This paper presents the dynamic pattern of these carbon pools, which play an important role in the trophic network and influence the flocculation processes involved in the fate of both organic and inorganic matter.

Long-term trends in seasonal plankton dynamics in Lake Mead (Nevada-Arizona, USA) and implications for climate change

Over the past few decades, Lake Mead (Nevada-Arizona, USA) has experienced multiple ecosystem stressors including drought, increased water demand, and establishment of invasive species (quagga mussels, gizzard shad). Despite these potential stressors, zooplankton and phytoplankton community dynamics in the pelagic regions of Lake Mead have generally followed consistent seasonal patterns. Long-term monitoring results (2007–2015) show that zooplankton and phytoplankton communities remain relatively stable in Lake Mead on an inter-annual basis, but are susceptible to shifts caused by extreme climate fluctuations and alterations in mixing regimes. A warm winter characterized by low snowpack in 2014/2015 preceded a large bloom of toxic cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa Kutzing) in Las Vegas Bay the following summer. Large bloom events are rare in Lake Mead; however, under future climate scenarios, these types of events may become more frequent. Because of the consistency of plankton community dynamics over an extended period of time, Lake Mead offers an ideal system for the study of future climate change impacts. This study aims to characterize the response of plankton communities in Lake Mead to both linear and dynamic environmental changes.

Relationship between phytoplankton community succession and environmental parameters in Qinhuangdao coastal areas, China: A region with recurrent brown tide outbreaks

The picoplanktonic pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens could trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) to discolor water in brown, known as brown tide. Since 2009, large-scale brown tides, caused by A. anophagefferens, had been occurred in early summer for three consecutive years in the coastal waters of Qinhuangdao, China and resulted considerable deleterious effects on the scallop mariculture industry. The causes for the occurrence of brown tides were not fully understood. Therefore, we conducted a one-year survey from June 2013 to May 2014 to study the seasonal succession of the phytoplankton community, including A. anophagefferens and its relationship with environmental variables in the area. The results revealed that the population dynamics of the phytoplankton community were significant variation with seasonal succession, in which A. anophagefferens played an important role during the entire year. The trend of the whole diversity index indicated that the community structure became more stable in winter. The results of principle component analysis (PCA) applied to the environmental factors indicated four major seasonal groups in the environmental variables. The water temperature, silicate and total nitrogen were contributed to the environment in summer, autumn and spring, respectively. In addition, a few another environmental factors commonly contributed to the winter waterbody, indicated that the aquatic environment is more complex in the cold season. The result revealed that the phytoplankton community structure and its variation were mainly affected by the hydrological factors, by using the redundancy analysis (RDA) for the relationship between dominant species and the environment. Furthermore, we inferred Chaetoceros decipiens as a potential species for the breakout of harmful algae blooms (HABs) by RDA ordination. We concluded that the key factor for the seasonal variations in the dynamics of phytoplankton community could be the hydrological parameters in Qinghuangdao coastal area. This research may provide more insight into the occurrence mechanism of brown tide.

Temporal and spatial distribution of phytoplankton functional groups and role of environment factors in a deep subtropical reservoir

Phytoplankton and environment factors were investigated in 2015 and phytoplankton functional groups were used to understand their temporal and spatial distribution and their driving factors in Wanfeng Reservoir. Seventeen functional groups (B, D, E, F, G, J, Lo, MP, P, S1, T, W1, W2, X1, X2, Xph, Y) were identified based on 34 species. The dominant groups were: J/B/P/D in dry season, X1/J/Xph/G/T in normal season and J in flood season. Phytoplankton abundance ranged from 5.33×104 cells/L to 3.65×107 cells/L, with the highest value occurring in flood season and lowest in dry season. The vertical profile of dominant groups showed little differentiation except for P, which dominated surface layers over 20 m as a result of mixing water masses and higher transparency during dry season. However, the surface waters presented higher values of phytoplankton abundance than other layers, possibly because of greater irradiance. The significant explaining variables and their ability to describe the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton community in RDA differed seasonally as follows: dry season, NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, TN:TP ratio and transparency (SD); normal season, temperature (WT), water depth, TN, NH4-N and NO3-N; flood season, WT, water depth, NO3-N and NO2-N. Furthermore, nitrogen, water temperature, SD and water depth were significant variables explaining the variance of phytoplankton communities when datasets included all samples. The results indicated that water physical conditions and hydrology were important in phytoplankton community dynamics, and nitrogen was more important than phosphorus in modifying phytoplankton communities. Seasonal differences in the relationship between the environment and phytoplankton community should be considered in water quality management.

Addition of silver nanoparticles has no long‐term effects on natural phytoplankton community dynamics in a boreal lake

AbstractLake phytoplankton communities are dynamic with well‐documented seasonal variability in taxonomic composition and biomass. However, this variability has been largely overlooked when assessing the risk posed to aquatic ecosystems by the antimicrobial agent, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Here, we report results from a whole lake AgNP addition study at the IISD‐Experimental Lakes Area that assessed the effects of AgNPs on phytoplankton. Phytoplankton communities were largely unaffected in terms of taxonomy, pigment concentration, and biomass by AgNP additions. These negative toxicological results are due to community changes being more strongly affected by natural processes, such as temperature and dissolved nutrients. We conclude that AgNP exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations for 2 yr did not affect phytoplankton communities in boreal lakes, which emphasizes the importance of incorporating natural variability into analyses that attempt to determine the effect of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems.

Unwinding a Tangled Web: a Fine-Scale Approach towards Understanding the Drivers of Harmful Algal Bloom Species in a Eutrophic South African Estuary

A permanently eutrophic South African estuary provided an ideal model ecosystem from which to unravel the drivers of recurrent accumulations of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. Designed to encapsulate broad- to fine-scale variations, seasonal in situ bihourly monitoring of abiotic and phytoplankton components took place at a fixed location over a 24-h period on four sampling occasions. Four known HAB species were recorded at bloom concentrations (> 20 μg Chl-a L−1) during the study, including Heterosigma akashiwo, Heterocapsa rotundata, Mesodinium rubrum, and Karenia cf. mikimotoi. Model results identified temperature as a key driver, with distinct community shifts between winter (~H. rotundata and M. rubrum) and spring/summer (~H. akashiwo and K. cf. mikimotoi) conditions. Evidence of niche overlap between all four HAB taxa was highlighted by their predilection for elevated nitrate levels, a vertically stratified water column and mesohaline (ca. 10) surface waters. As such, internal biotic processes such as plasticity of diel vertical migration patterns, reliance of M. rubrum on suitable ‘prey’ resources, and the suppressive pressure of H. akashiwo on co-occurring taxa-explained phytoplankton community dynamics beyond the influence of physico-chemical variability. These findings provide novel insight regarding the ecology of HAB taxa and how they have adapted to thrive in anthropogenically manipulated environments.

Long‐term effects of climate change on carbon flows through benthic secondary production in small lakes

Abstract A palaeolimnological study, covering the last c. 12,000 years, was conducted in a small subalpine lake located in the Alps to study climate change impacts on carbon flows through food webs in small lakes. We used analysis of sedimentary pigments and carbon stable isotopic composition of chironomid remains (δ13CHC) to reconstruct past dynamics of phytoplankton community and carbon sources sustaining benthic consumers. Chironomid biomass was sustained by a combination of allochthonous, autochthonous and CH4‐derived organic matters, and their relative contributions were correlated to changes in temperature. Relatively high terrestrial contributions to chironomid biomass were observed during period of the Holocene when in‐lake production was low. Relatively high incorporation of CH4‐derived carbon to chironomid biomass was found during anoxic events co‐occurring with the Holocene thermal maximum. Results were then compared with those collected in a small boreal lake in Estonia. We tested the hypothesis that responses in carbon flows through benthic food web to past climate change would be similar between these lakes. We found a negative correlation between δ13CHC values of both lakes and inferred air temperature, suggesting that temperature was the major driver to different food sources being incorporated into chironomid biomass. Our study demonstrated that air temperature was the principal driver of the energy flows through benthic food web in the studied small lakes. We conjectured that carbon cycling in food webs of small lakes might be strongly sensitive to climate change.

Potential Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Central Java, Indonesia

Segara Anakan Lagoon (SAL), located along side of soutern coast on western part of Central Java 108°46'–109 ° 05'E; 7 ° 34'–7 ° 48'S. SAL is necessasrily ecosistem as nursery ground. This has been becoming important research relating to primary productivity. The existance of antropogenical activities around the area, is changing inrush input into lagoon. This is going to be worried about giving influences in physical, chemistry, and biological factors of the water and causing deflation in rate value of primer productivity. Rainy and dry season's variability with important impacts on the phytoplankton community structure, abundance and dynamics. Furthermore, the number of coastal ecosystems with identified eutrophication symptoms is increasing worldwide due to the increasing anthropogenic pressures. One of 1the first symptoms of eutrophication is enhanced phytoplankton biomass. Generally, Fitoplanton is important biological indicators in the process. However, high abundance of biomass phytoplankton could give harmful effect toward lagoon, they could produce toxic substances that will be accumulated, it can be endangering .The aim of the research is to determine and calculate potential species of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in SAL with spastial and temporal approach. The spatial approach is done at seven different stations of ecological characteristics SAL, with representations: natural factors and the presence of anthropogenic activities. On the temporal approach (time series) for a year, it refers to the monsoon wind pattern, which are called season (western, the transitional season 1, eastern, and the transitional season 2).The results of laboratory tests are discussed descriptively. Phytoplankton sample were taken vertically using plankton nets, meshsize 25 μm. The result showed that SAL have been found and consisted of 82 species from 5 division phytoplankton: Chrysophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Pyrophyta, and Euglenophyta. 20 species from 9 genus were identified potential as HABs, with four genus of them were known having toxin and endangering for human (Nitzschia, Oscillatoria, Anabaena dan Protoperidinium).Whether, five genus do not produce toxins but giving deflation Oxygen of waters with anoxia condition (Chaetoceros, Coscinodiscus, Rhizosolenia, Thalassiosira, Thalassiotrix).The highest of HABS abundance is dominated during the transitional season II. On the spatial approach, antropoegenic characteristics station contribute to the whole height of HABs. Influence of rainfall, spatially, antropogenical pressure, and hydrodinamical watres causing enhancement of HABs potency.

Effects of climatically-modulated changes in solar radiation and wind speed on spring phytoplankton community dynamics in Lake Taihu, China

Effects of climatically-modulated changes in solar radiation and wind speed on spring phytoplankton community dynamics in Lake Taihu, China

Realized niche analysis of phytoplankton communities involving HAB: Phaeocystis spp. as a case study

The link between harmful algal blooms, phytoplankton community dynamics and global environmental change is not well understood. To tackle this challenging question, a new method was used to reveal how phytoplankton communities responded to environmental change with the occurrence of an harmful algae, using the coastal waters of the eastern English Channel as a case study. The great interannual variability in the magnitude and intensity of Phaeocystis spp. blooms, along with diatoms, compared to the ongoing gradual decrease in anthropogenic nutrient concentration and rebalancing of nutrient ratios; suggests that other factors, such as competition for resources, may also play an important role. A realized niche approach was used with the Outlying Mean Index analysis and the dynamics of the species’ realized subniches were estimated using the Within Outlying Mean Indexes calculations under low (L) and high (H) contrasting Phaeocystis spp. abundance. The Within Outlying Mean Indexes allows the decomposition of the realized niche into realized subniches, found within the subset of habitat conditions and constrained by a subset of a biotic factor. The two contrasting scenarios were characterized by significantly different subsets of environmental conditions and diatom species (BV-step analysis), and different seasonality in salinity, turbidity, and nutrients. The subset L environmental conditions were potentially favorable for Phaeocystis spp. but it suffered from competitive exclusion by key diatom species such as Skeletonema spp., Thalassiosira gravida, Thalassionema nitzschioides and the Pseudo-nitzchia seriata complex. Accordingly, these diatoms species occupied 81% of Phaeocystis spp.'s existing fundamental subniche. In contrast, the greater number of diatoms, correlated with the community trend, within subset H exerted a weaker biological constraint and favored Phaeocystis spp. realized subniche expansion. In conclusion, the results strongly suggest that both abiotic and biotic interactions should be considered to understand Phaeocystis spp. blooms with greater consideration of the preceeding diatoms. HABs needs must therefore be studied as part of the total phytoplankton community.

Picophytoplankton variability: Influence of winter convective mixing and advection in the northeastern Arabian Sea

Abstract The deepening of mixed layer and ensuing changes in optical and physicochemical properties of euphotic zone can influence phytoplankton community dynamics in the northeastern Arabian Sea during winter monsoon. The response of picophytoplankton community to such changes during winter convective mixing is not well understood. Herein, we have compared variations in the picophytoplankton community structure during early (November–December 2012), peak (end-January 2014) and late (mid-February 2015) winter monsoon from three separate cruises in the southern northeastern Arabian Sea. The higher Synechococcus abundance owing to entrainment of nutrients in mixed layer was observed during peak winter monsoon, while the concomitant changes in nitrate concentration, light and oxygen environment restricted Prochlorococcus growth resulting in lower abundance during the same period. This highlights the diverse responses of picophytoplankton groups to physicochemical changes of water column during winter convective mixing. The divinyl chlorophyll b/a ratio (marker for Prochlorococcus ecotypes) indicated prevalence of one low-light adapted ecotype (sensitive to light shock) in sub-surface water, one high-light adapted ecotype in surface water during early winter monsoon and both disappeared during intense mixing period in peak winter monsoon. Subsequently, a distinct low-light adapted ecotype, capable to tolerate light shock, was noticed during late winter monsoon and we argue that this ecotype is introduced to southern northeastern Arabian Sea through advection from north by sub-surface circulation. The total picophytoplankton biomass available to microbial loop is restored during late winter monsoon, when stratification begins, with a higher abundance of Synechococcus and the re-occurrence of Prochlorococcus population in the region. These inferences indicate that variability in picophytoplankton community structure and their contribution to the microbial loop are driven by convective mixing and advection, which in turn influence ecosystem functioning and trophodynamics of the southern northeastern Arabian Sea.