Increase In Phytoplankton Abundance Research Articles

Concentration of ascorbic acid and antioxidant response in early life stages of Engraulis ringens and zooplankton during the spawning seasons of 2006–2009 off central Chile

This study reports changes in ascorbic acid (AA) in anchoveta eggs, copepods and zooplankton during the 2006, 2007 and 2009 main spawning seasons in the coastal area of the central Humboldt Current System, Chile. Anchoveta eggs, copepods and total zooplankton community shared a seasonal variation and an increasing trend in AA concentration from winter through spring which was associated with the spring diatom bloom. The lineal relationship observed between AA concentration in anchoveta eggs, chlorophyll a and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) suggests that the increase in phytoplankton abundance could also increase the amount of AA in the spawning female anchoveta incorporated through tissue, thus increasing the concentration in their eggs. Ascorbic acid concentrations in copepods presented size (weight) dependence. Small copepods (e.g. Acartia, Oithona) had AA concentrations two orders of magnitude higher than the heavier weight class copepods (e.g. Calanus, Rhincalanus). Results of the determination of glutathione and the antioxidant potential showed a similar trend in interannual variations, suggesting that cold SST conditions observed in the 2007 spawning season could increase the consumption of antioxidants in early stages. Potential connections between AA concentration in the food web on anchoveta reproduction and egg hatching and embryo malformations are discussed.

Bromoform production from seawater treated with bromoperoxidase

Bromoform (CHBr3; 11–486 fmol L−1 h−1), dibromomethane (CH2Br2; 0–9.4 fmol L−1 h−1), and low amounts of chloride‐substituted chlorobromomethanes were produced from southern California coastal surface seawater upon the addition of algal bromoperoxidase (BrPO) and hydrogen peroxide. Production was greater from water collected near shore than 16 km offshore, presumably reflecting the difference in the reactive dissolved organic matter (DOMreact) concentrations. In the spring, there was an increase in phytoplankton abundance, and CHBr3 production from BrPO incubations was greater, presumably due to increased DOMreact. In the winter, CH2Br2 production was enhanced, although still lower than CHBr3, suggesting a qualitative change in DOM composition due to terrestrial runoff. During the month of the highest precipitation, CHBr3 and CH2Br2 production was enhanced in samples obtained from the mouth of an urban river, suggesting a higher concentration of DOMreact of terrestrial origins. DOM was fractionated by ultrafiltration and subject to the BrPO incubation. The higher molecular weight fractions contained a higher concentration of DOM that was susceptible to BrPO bromination, yielding polybromomethanes. Polybromomethane and iodomethane production associated with phytoplankton blooms results from the reaction between the surrounding DOM, and hypobromous acid (HOBr) and hypoiodous acid released from extracellular (apoplastic) BrPO. The reaction of HOBr and DOM (biological bleaching) could represent a significant DOM degradation pathway. Cell‐free BrPO, derived from dead cells, could remain catalytically active in seawater and produce low amounts of polyhalomethanes prior to biological degradation.

Temporal and spatial changes in the bio-optical properties of seawater in the Nordic Seas – AREX’2003 and 2006

For many years the Nordic Seas have been the subject of research into ocean circulation carried out by the Institute of Oceanology PAS, especially the inflow of Atlantic water and the intensive turbulent mixing of these waters with Arctic and shelf waters. Ocean currents affect various biological processes, among them the supply of organic matter and oxygen, which constitute the foundation for the unique flora and fauna of the Svalbard islands.Spectrophotometric examinations of surface waters using an M32B spectroflu- orophotometer (LDI Ltd.) were carried out repeatedly during Arctic cruises on board r/v ‘Oceania’. The results presented in this paper come from the AREX campaigns of 2003 and 2006. Analysis of the chlorophyll a fluorescence excitation spectra recorded shows an increase in phytoplankton abundance and the changes in the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton species characteristic of Atlantic, Arctic and shelf waters. The spatial patterns of the phytoplankton pigments and their abundance were compared with the physical characteristics of water masses. The analysis confirmed that phytoplankton species move together with the Atlantic water as this flows into northern latitudes.

Glyphosate influence on phytoplankton community structure in Lake Erie

In this study we investigated the effect of the phosphonate herbicide glyphosate ( N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) on the phytoplankton community structure in Lake Erie using lake water incubations, laboratory growth experiments and phylogenetic analysis of phosphonate metabolism genes. In microcosms, addition of glyphosate to Sandusky Bay water resulted in a significant increase in phytoplankton abundance, specifically causing an increase in the abundance of Planktothrix spp. In microcosms using Maumee Bay water, glyphosate did not stimulate phytoplankton growth but caused a decrease in Microcystis spp. abundance. The difference in the ability of Planktothrix spp. and Microcystis spp. to grow in the presence of glyphosate was confirmed in laboratory growth experiments. Further, an examination of the molecular pathways involved in phosphonate metabolism demonstrated that heterotrophic bacteria may be critical in allowing this proliferation. The results indicate that glyphosate has both positive and negative influences on phytoplankton community structure, serving as a nutrient source to microbes able to tolerate the herbicidal effects of the compound while killing those less tolerant. Moreover, this work highlights that in natural environments microorganisms function as communities, and the metabolic abilities of individual species are often less important than the collective ability of the community.

Short-term variations in mesozooplankton, ichthyoplankton, and nutrients associated with semi-diurnal tides in a patagonian Gulf

The relationships between the distribution of different zooplankton and ichthyoplankton stages and physical and chemical variables were studied using samples and data (CTD profiles, ADCP and current meter measurements, nutrients, mesozooplankton, ichthyoplankton) obtained from different strata during two 24-h cycles at two oceanographic stations in a Chilean Patagonian gulf during the CIMAR 10-Fiordos cruise (November, 2004). A station located at the Chacao Channel was dominated by tidal mixing and small increments in surface stratification during high tides, leading to decreased nutrient availability. This agreed with short periods of increased phytoplankton abundance during slack waters at the end of flood currents. Increases in larval density for all zooplankton and ichthyoplankton taxa corresponded to the flooding phases of the tidal cycle. When the larval density data were fit to a sinusoidal model, the regression coefficients were high, suggesting that tides are important features that modulate short-term variations in plankton abundance. All larvae did not vary synchronously with the tidal phase; rather, time lags were observed among species. The abundances of older individuals of the copepodite Rhincalanus nasutus and all zoea stages of the squat lobster Munida gregaria increased during night flood tides, whereas younger stages increased during daytime flood tides. At a station located at the Queullin Pass, which was dominated by vertical stratification patterns, the variations in peak larval density were better fitted to the semi-diurnal sea level fluctuations. Other evidence indicated internal tides below the pycnocline, which could promote larval transport in deeper layers. In the overall picture that emerges from this study, planktonic organisms from different habitats and phylogenetic origins seem to respond to the local tidal regimes. In some cases, this response might be beneficial, transporting these individuals inshore to areas that are rich in food during the peak biological production season.

Specific absorption coefficient and phytoplankton community structure in the southern region of the California Current during January 2002

Measurements of the specific absorption coefficients of phytoplankton (a*ph) are currently required to estimate primary productivity at regional to global scales using satellite imagery. The variability in a*ph and phytoplankton size fraction was determined during January 2002 in the southern region of the California Current. Median values of a*ph at 440 nm and 674 nm were 0.061 and 0.028 m2 (mg Chl-a)−1 and significant variability was found between inshore and offshore stations. A decrease of a*ph is associated with increased phytoplankton abundance and larger species. The a*ph tends to be high when the photoprotector zeaxanthin is present in elevated concentrations and phytoplankton abundance lower. The nano-microphytoplankton (>5 µm) community consisted of 28 diatom and 15 dinoflagellate genera with mean abundance values of 2.8 and 1.6 × 103 cells l−1, respectively. The picophytoplankton (<5 µm) community consisted of Prochlorococcus sp. (mean 8.2 × 106 cells l−1) and Synechococcus sp. (mean 19.5 × 106 cells l−1), as well as a mixture of picoeukaryotes (mean 8.6 × 106 cells l−1). The contributions of nano-microphytoplankton and picophytoplankton to the total biomass (µg C l−1) were 46% and 54%, respectively. This study showed that picophytoplankton cells increased 2.5 times up during January 2002 compared with the previous year. It was concluded that the waning of La Nina conditions had a clear effect on the pelagic ecosystem in January 2002 and that the higher microphytoplankton abundance in the California Current was dominated by local and regional seasonal processes.

A mass balance evaluation of the ecological significance of historical nitrogen fluxes in Lake Kinneret

Lake Kinneret (LK) is a monomictic lake that has undergone significant biological and chemical changes over the last three decades of the twentieth century. The transition between the 1970s and the 1980s attracted a lot of scientific attention as it was marked by significant changes in the ecology of the lake. In the early 1980s, phytoplankton biomass increased, apparently in response to an increase in the external soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) load. This period was marked by a rise in hypolimnetic levels of ammonium (NH4) and SRP as well as surface water dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH. Cconcomitantly, in surface waters in winter levels of NH4 increased and NO3 decreased. In this study interrelationships amongst these observations were examined with a mass balance modelling approach, including simulation of individual nutrient sources and sinks, focusing on nitrogen fluxes in winter. The step-like rise in phytoplankton biomass in 1981 may have been triggered by the increase in winter external loads of SRP, as P is likely to be the growth-limiting nutrient during this season. The additional P load led to a sequence of changes including greater summer phytoplankton biomass, followed by enhanced sedimentation of organic matter. Furthermore, higher organic matter mineralization fluxes within the hypolimnion resulted in elevated levels of NH4 and SRP in this layer through the 1980s, with a feedback to productivity in the trophogenic zone following seasonal destratification in early winter. In an apparent transition period (late 1970s to early 1980s), an increase in the modelled rate of nitrate (NO3) production occurred via nitrification together with increased uptake of the additional nitrate by phytoplankton. These results are consistent with increased phytoplankton abundance and elevated levels of surface water NH4 and DO during this period. Through this period the increase in phytoplankton uptake of NO3 predominated over the increase in nitrification, and NO3 concentrations in the 1980s were reduced compared with the previous decade, with increased partitioning of N in biomass and NH4.

Mesoscale decrease of surface phosphate and associated phytoplankton dynamics in the vicinity of the subtropical South Pacific islands

Surface distributions of nutrients and phytoplankton were investigated in the vicinity of the subtropical South Pacific islands by using a continuous underway system with a highly sensitive nutrient analysis. A total of 17 transects, whose lengths ranged between 42 and 271 km, were sampled for continuous nutrient measurements. The study area was characterized by an overall depletion of nitrate+nitrite (<15 nM), but phosphate varied from 7 to 192 nM. The transects were grouped into 4 patterns according to distribution of phosphate concentrations. In 7 transects, a mesoscale decrease in phosphate occurred, coinciding with an elevation of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, which was accompanied by an increase in phytoplankton abundance as revealed by microscopy, flow cytometry, and accessory pigments. This mirror–image relationship between the phosphate concentration and phytoplankton abundance was most apparent on both a 99-km transect east of Tonga, where the phosphate concentration ranged from 17 to 125 nM, and on a 98-km transect west of Fiji, where the phosphate concentration ranged from 23 to 136 nM. Both these transects contained distinct blooms of Trichodesmium in areas with the lowest concentrations of phosphate. In other 2 transects, fluctuations in phosphate concentrations showed no distinct relationship with chlorophyll fluorescence. Other patterns that emerged included consistently high concentrations, ranging from 109 to 192 nM, in 5 transects and consistently low phosphate concentrations, ranging from 7 to 50 nM, in 3 transects. Abundance of Trichodesmium, Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, and all accessory pigments examined tended to be higher in the low phosphate transects than in the high phosphate ones. In particular, Trichodesmium occurred in low phosphate water (<25 nM). There was no significant relationship between phosphate concentrations and nanoplanktonic unicellular cyanobacteria. Our observations suggest that surface phosphate decreases are associated with phytoplankton utilization of phosphate, and that nitrogen supply from Trichodesmium may contributes to this utilization.

Inter-decadal Variability in Phytoplankton Community in the Middle Adriatic (Kaštela Bay) in Relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation

Evaluation of a 45-year data set of primary production (PP), a 30-year data set of phytoplankton biomass, and a 51-year data set of species composition shows an increase of phytoplankton biomass and abundance in the period from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. Phytoplankton biomass showed bimodal seasonal cycles, with winter and spring maxima, which did not change over the past 30 years. Diatoms were the most abundant functional group and they prevailed during the colder part of the year while the dinoflagellate contribution to the phytoplankton community increased in the warmer period from May to August. Diatoms showed a significant negative correlation with sea surface temperature (SST), while dinoflagellates were positively correlated with SST. An increase of phytoplankton abundance, particularly dinoflagellate, in the period from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s coincided with years characterized by a high North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. Primary production and chlorophyll a concentration in the spring period were negatively correlated with the NAO winter (DJFM) index, probably caused by increased precipitation associated with a low or negative NAO index. PP in winter during the mixing period was positively related to the NAO winter index associated with higher temperatures and dry conditions which brought more clear days and increased input of solar radiation.

Comparative study of hydrographic conditions for algal bloom formation in the coastal waters of east and west of Hong Kong during 1998

Phytoplankton abundance was found to be positively correlated with seasonal changes of seawater temperature in Port Shelter and Lamma Channel, Hong Kong in 1998. Rising water temperature from around 20°C to 25°C coincided with an increase in phytoplankton abundance at both locations. Heavy rains from June to September reduced salinity from 30 to 20, but the decrease in salinity was not correlated with a decline in phytoplankton abundance. In spring 1998, over 0.6×106 cells dm−3 and 0.1×106 cells dm−3 of the dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium mikimotoi Miyake et Kominami ex Oda occurred in the coastal waters of Port Shelter and Lamma Channel, respectively. High abundance of the dinoflagellate Ceratium furca (Ehr.) Claparede et Lachmann (>1×106 cells dm−3) produced long-lasting blooms in the waters of Port Shelter from September to October in 1998. The abundances of both diatoms and dinoflagellates were significantly lower in the waters of Lamma Channel than those in Port Shelter due to the less frequent blooms in 1998. Hydrographic conditions such as stable water masses and water column stratification were the main reasons for the differences in the algal abundance and bloom frequency found between the two locations since neither of the two areas appeared to be nutrient-limited. This type water condition for the formation of algal bloom in Port Shelter has not been reported previously and it is not a general case for many bays along China’s coast where algal bloom occurs as well.

Increased Chlorophyll a, phytoplankton abundance, and cyanobacteria occurrence following invasion of Green Bay, Lake Michigan by dreissenid mussels

The invasion of freshwater ecosystems in North America by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1769), has repeatedly led to rapid changes in water clarity and phytoplankton abundance. Examining cases where a successful invasion has occurred but where rapid changes do not occur can help us understand the full range of responses of ecosystems to invasions. We re-sampled established sampling locations in Green Bay, Lake Michigan during four years of the post-invasion period. We determined Secchi depths, Chlorophyll-a concentrations, and phytoplankton composition and biovolume at five stations along a previously documented trophic gradient. Our data support the continued existence of a strong trophic gradient between lower and middle bay areas of Green Bay. Secchi depth did not significantly change following invasion at either lower bay or middle bay locations. Responses to invasion were stronger at middle bay than lower bay for both Chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton biovolume. Chlorophyll-a was significantly greater in the post-invasion period at both locations, while phytoplankton biovolume was significantly higher following invasion in middle bay. Along with these increases in abundance there was a significant shift to higher and more frequent dominance of the phytoplankton community by cyanobacteria. The increased phytoplankton abundance during the post-invasion period is likely explained by selective feeding and increased nutrient recycling by zebra mussels under high turbidity conditions in this highly productive embayment of Lake Michigan.

Food web complexity affects stoichiometric and trophic interactions

The stoichiometry of trophic interactions has mainly been studied in simple consumer–prey systems, whereas natural systems often harbour complex food webs with abundant indirect effects. We manipulated the complexity of trophic interactions by using simple laboratory food webs and complex field food webs in enclosures in Lake Erken. In the simple food web, one producer assemblage (periphyton) and its consumers (benthic snails) were amended by perch, which was externally fed by fish food. In the complex food web, two producer assemblages (periphyton and phytoplankton), their consumers (benthic invertebrates and zooplankton) and perch feeding on zooplankton were included. In the simple food web perch affected the stoichiometry of periphyton and increased periphyton biomass and the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Grazers reduced periphyton biomass but increased its nutrient content. In the complex food web, in contrast to the simple food web, perch affected periphyton biomass negatively but increased phytoplankton abundance. Perch had no influence on benthic invertebrate density, zooplankton biomass or periphyton stoichiometry. Benthic grazers reduced periphyton biomass and nutrient content. The difference between the simple and the complex food web was presumably due to the increase of pelagic cyanobacteria (Gloeotrichia sp.) with fish presence in the complex food web, thus fish had indirect negative effects on periphyton biomass through nutrient competition and shading by cyanobacteria. We conclude that the higher food web complexity through the presence of pelagic primary producers (in this case Gloeotrichia sp.) influences the direction and strength of trophic and stoichiometric interactions.

Microbial Community Structure and Dynamics in the Largest Natural French Lake (Lake Bourget)

We investigated the dynamics and diversity of heterotrophic bacteria, autotrophic and heterotrophic flagellates, and ciliates from March to July 2002 in the surface waters (0-50 m) of Lake Bourget. The heterotrophic bacteria consisted mainly of "small" cocci, but filaments (>2 microm), commonly considered to be grazing-resistant forms under increased nanoflagellate grazing, were also detected. These elongated cells mainly belonged to the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium (CF) cluster, and were most abundant during spring and early summer, when mixotrophic or heterotrophic flagellates were the main bacterial predators. The CF group strongly dominated fluorescent in situ hybridization-detected cells from March to June, whereas clear changes were observed in early summer when Beta-proteobacteria and Alpha-proteobacteria increased concomitantly with maximal protist grazing pressures. The analysis of protist community structure revealed that the flagellates consisted mainly of cryptomonad forms. The dynamics of Cryptomonas sp. and Dinobryon sp. suggested the potential importance of mixotrophs as consumers of bacteria. This point was verified by an experimental approach based on fluorescent microbeads to assess the potential grazing impact of all protist taxa in the epilimnion. From the results, three distinct periods in the functioning of the epilimnetic microbial loop were identified. In early spring, mixotrophic and heterotrophic flagellates constituted the main bacterivores, and were regulated by the availability of their resources mainly during April (phase 1). Once the "clear water phase" was established, the predation pressure of metazooplankton represented a strong top-down force on all microbial compartments. During this period only mixotrophic flagellates occasionally exerted a significant bacterivory pressure (phase 2). Finally, the early summer was characterized by the highest protozoan grazing impact and by a rapid shift in the carbon pathway transfer, with a fast change-over of the main predators contribution, i.e., mixotrophic, heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates in bacterial mortality. The high abundance of ciliates during this period was consistent with the high densities of resources (heterotrophic nanoflagellates, algae, bacteria) in deep layers containing the most chlorophyll. Bacteria, as ciliates, responded clearly to increasing phytoplankton abundance, and although bacterial grazing impact could vary largely, bacterial abundance seemed to be primarily bottom-up regulated (phase 3).

Role of Saharan dust on phytoplankton dynamics in the northeastern Mediterranean

Effects of atmospheric deposition and other environmental factors on phytoplankton dynamics were evaluated from an open (having offshore characteristics) and a coastal station in the northeastern Mediterranean between December 2000 and December 2001. Data on phytoplankton, chlorophyll a, nutrients, temperature and salinity were obtained at bi-weekly or more intense intervals during 1 yr, whilst transport of Saharan dust towards the sampling region was monitored daily by SeaWiFS (sea-viewing wide field-of-view sensor) images. Diatoms were the group of highest average biomass during the entire investigation period. Although coccolithophores (mainly Emiliania huxleyi) numerically dominated at the open station during the study period, their maximum abundance was as low as 50 x 10 3 cells l -1 . The intensity of dust transport was observed to be highest in spring. Less intense transports were observed in summer and autumn. Several intense episodic dry and wet dust deposition events during the spring season observed by SeaWiFS images caused little or no increase in phytoplankton abundance and biomass in the following days and weeks. Nevertheless, it appears that less intense dust transport events increased phytoplankton abundance and biomass in August, September and October 2001, when water column stratification was at its peak. However, these increases were much weaker than the major winter-early spring bloom (in February and March), which was caused by upwelling, mixing the water column. We suggest that the impact of atmospheric nutrient input on phytoplankton in the Mediterranean is rather low on a yearly basis.

The long‐term effect of artificial destratification on phytoplankton species composition in a subtropical reservoir

Summary1. The response of phytoplankton to the installation of an artificial destratification system in North Pine Dam, Brisbane (Australia) was investigated over an 18 year period (1984–2002); 11 years before and 7 years after installation.2. An overall increase in phytoplankton abundance was revealed for some groups (in particular, diatoms, cyanobacteria and chlorophytes), but not for others (chlorophytes). Changes in the abundance of chlorophyte functional groups was attributed to eutrophication.3. A strong spatial gradient in phytoplankton abundance and chlorophyllawas observed, with low abundance in the downstream regions affected by the destratification system which was likely because of light limitation induced by vertical mixing. The upstream region acted as a surrogate for the unaltered state of the reservoir, particularly as an indicator of eutrophication without direct influence from the destratification system. Despite the continuous trend in eutrophication of the reservoir, there has been a definite decrease in the rate of eutrophication (approximately 30%) since the installation of the destratification system at the downstream locations.4. Correlations of the dominant cyanobacteriaCylindrospermopsis raciborskiiwith other genera changed after destratification, indicating that prior to destratification the dominance ofCylindrospermopsiswas because of its ability to compete for phosphorus, whereas after destratification its dominance was because of its ability to compete for light.

Climate impact on plankton ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic.

It is now widely accepted that global warming is occurring, yet its effects on the world's largest ecosystem, the marine pelagic realm, are largely unknown. We show that sea surface warming in the Northeast Atlantic is accompanied by increasing phytoplankton abundance in cooler regions and decreasing phytoplankton abundance in warmer regions. This impact propagates up the food web (bottom-up control) through copepod herbivores to zooplankton carnivores because of tight trophic coupling. Future warming is therefore likely to alter the spatial distribution of primary and secondary pelagic production, affecting ecosystem services and placing additional stress on already-depleted fish and mammal populations.

Changes in the distribution of seagrass species along Florida's Central Gulf Coast: Iverson and Bittaker revisited

A broad-scale survey of seagrass species composition and distribution along Florida's central Gulf Coast (known as the Big Bend region) was conducted in the summer of 2000 to address growing concerns over the potential effects of increased nutrient loading from adjacent coastal rivers. Iverson and Bittaker (1986) originally surveyed seagrass distribution in this region between 1974–1980. We revisited 188 stations from the original survey, recording the presence or absence of all seagrass species. Although factors such as accuracy of station relocation, differences in sampling effort among studies, and length of time between surveys preclude statistical comparisons, several interesting patterns emerged. While the total number of stations occupied by the three most common seagrass species,Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, andHalodule wrightii, was similar between the two time periods, we observed a change in the number of records of each species as well as changes in distribution with depth.T. testudinum andHalophila engelmanni occurrence declined in the deepest areas of the region, while the number of stations occupied byS. filiforme andH. wrightii increased in nearby areas. We observed several localized areas of seagrass loss, frequently associated with the mouths of coastal rivers. These results suggest that increased nutrient loading to coastal rivers that discharge into the Big Bend area may be affecting seagrasses by increasing phytoplankton abundance in the water column, thus changing water clarity characteristics of the region.

Phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal saline lake (SE-Portugal)

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterise phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal saline lake, pinpointing putative biotic and abiotic regulatory variables of its succession and productivity. Between February and September 1998, samples for the analysis of physical, chemical and biological variables were taken fortnightly (except in February and April). The phytoplankton community showed three distinct periods of evolution. The first period (February-March) was characterised by a chroococoid non-colonial cyanobacteria bloom (maximum abundance, 4.3 × 10 9 cells l –1 ) and also by its decaying. Long water residence and/or nitrogen limitation might have allowed cyanobacteria dominance; while its decaying could be associated to predation by aplastidic nanoflagellates and/or to the beginning of periodical partial renewal of lake water with water proceeding from an adjacent coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa). The second period (April-early August) can be differentiated, from the previous, by reduced abundances of phytoplankton (minimum abundance, 5.7 × 10 6 cells l –1 ) and plastidic nanoflagellates dominance. The overall low nutrient concentrations, likely as a consequence of periodical partial water renewal, could explain these results. In the last period (late August-September), increased phytoplankton abundance and the development of a diatom and mixotrophic dinoflagellate bloom was probably the result of a sudden increase in nutrient levels, occurring after a period of intense precipitation. In consequence, primary production reached a maximum value of 1367 mg C m –3 h –1 ; 36 times higher than a maximum value previously reported for Ria Formosa.

Grazing impact of microzooplankton on a diatom bloom in a mesocosm as estimated by pigment-specific dilution technique

To investigate the impact of microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton bloom in coastal waters, an enclosure experiment was conducted in Saanich Inlet, Canada during the summer of 1996. Daily changes in the microzooplankton grazing rate on each phytoplankton group were investigated with the growth rates of each phytoplankton group from the beginning toward the end of bloom using the dilution technique with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). On Day 1 when nitrate and iron were artificially added, chlorophyll a concentration was relatively low (4.3 μg l −1) and 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin-containing prymnesiophytes were predominant in the chlorophyll biomass. However, both the synthetic rates and concentrations of 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin declined before bloom, suggesting that 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin-containing prymnesiophytes weakened. Chlorophyll a concentration peaked at 23 μg l −1 on Day 4 and the bloom consisted of the small chain-forming diatoms Chaetoceros spp. (4 μm in cell diameter). Diatoms were secondary constituents in the chlorophyll biomass at the beginning of the experiment, and the growth rates of diatoms (fucoxanthin) were consistently high (>0.5 d −1) until Day 3. Microzooplankton grazing rates on each phytoplankton group remarkably increased except on alloxanthin-containing cryptophytes after the nutrient enrichments, and peaked with >0.6 d −1 on Day 3, indicating that >45% of the standing stock of each phytoplankton group was removed per day. Both the growth and mortality rates of alloxanthin-containing cryptophytes were relatively high (>1 and >0.5 d −1, respectively) until the bloom, suggesting that a homeostatic mechanism might exist between predators and their prey. Overall, microzooplankton grazing showed a rapid response to the increase in phytoplankton abundance after the nutrient enrichments, and affected the magnitude of the bloom significantly. High grazing activity of microzooplankton contributed to an increase in the abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates with 7–24 μm in cell size, the fraction of large-sized (>10 μm) chlorophyll a, and stimulated the growth of larger-sized ciliates after the bloom.

The restoration of Lake Apopka in relation to alternative stable states: an alternative view to that of Bachmann et al. (1999)

Bachmann et al. (1999) postulated that wind energy initiated, and has maintained, high turbidity in hypertrophic (mean chlorophyll a = 92 μg l−1) Lake Apopka, Florida (mean depth = 1.6 m; area = 12 500 ha). They asserted that the turbid condition was initiated by a hurricane in late 1947 that destroyed submersed plant beds and that high turbidity has since been maintained by wind-driven resuspension of fluid sediments. In their view, there has been sufficient light for re-establishment of submersed plants over about 38% of the lake bottom, but plant growth has been precluded by the fluid character of the sediments. They concluded that the restoration program of the St. Johns River Water Management District, which includes reduction of the phosphorus (P) loading rate, will not restore water clarity or submersed vegetation. An alternative explanation for Lake Apopka's turbid state is that it was initiated, and has been maintained, by excessive P loading that led to algal blooms and elimination of submersed vegetation through light limitation. The transition to the turbid state was contemporaneous with drainage of 7300 ha of the floodplain wetland to create polders for farming, beginning in the early 1940s. Lake P budgets indicate that drainage of the farms caused a seven-fold increase in the P loading rate (0.08 g TP m−2 yr−1 to 0.55 g TP m−2 yr−1). Paleolimnological analysis of lake sediments also indicates an increase in the P loading rate in mid-century, concomitant with the decline in submersed vegetation and the increase in phytoplankton abundance. After the increase in P loading, wind disturbance may have accelerated the transition to the turbid state; but, before the increase in P loading, wind disturbance was insufficient to elicit the turbid state, as evidenced by the stability of the clear-water state in the face of 14 hurricanes and 41 tropical storms from 1881 to 1946. Measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) indicate that light limitation has inhibited submersed plant growth except on the shallowest 5% of the lake bottom. Further, the correlation between the diffuse attentuation coefficient (KPAR) and chlorophyll a (CHLA) indicates that light limitation would be removed over about 82% of the lake bottom with a reduction in CHLA from 92 μg l−1 to 25 μg l−1. Recently, following a 40% reduction in the P loading rate, the mean total P (TP) concentration, mean CHLA, and total suspended solids fell by about 30% while mean Secchi depth increased by more than 20%. Submersed plant beds appeared in areas devoid of macrophytes for nearly 50 years. These improvements, during a period with no change in mean wind speeds measured at Lake Apopka, provide the strongest evidence that the turbid state has been maintained by excessive P loading and that the current restoration program, which combines P load reduction with planting and removal of planktivorous fish, will be effective.