Indigenous Phytoplankton Research Articles

Microbial response to crude oil and Corexit 9527: SEAFLUXES enclosure study

The response of marine bacteria to Corexit 9527, with and without Prudhoe Bay crude oil labeled withn-(1-(14)C)hexadecane, in a temperate pelagic environment was monitored over 22 days using controlled ecosystem enclosures. The results indicated that Corexit and Corexit-dispersed crude oil stimulated bacterial production by serving as substrates and/or by inducing the release of organic compounds from the indigenous phytoplankton population. Highest bacterial standing stock was observed in the enclosure treated with a mixture of Corexit and crude oil, in which a large fraction of the predominant bacterivores were eliminated. Biodegradation appeared to be more significant than abiotic processes in contributing to the loss of low volatility n-alkanes in Corexit-dispersed oil. Twenty-two days following its addition, 50% of the radiotracer was recovered: 3% in the suspended particulate fraction, 10% in sedimentary material, 36% as CO2, and less than 1% in the dissolved organic pool.

Algal bioassays: their significance in monitoring water quality with respect to nutrients and toxicants

The review focuses on the use of primary producers as a biological tool for evaluating the impact of damage by human activity (eutrophication, toxicity) on the aquatic environment. Studies are discussed following a reductionist approach by using algal bioassays (Selenastrum capricornutum). Variations of algal growth potential (AGP) within watersheds show the impact of human activities such as agriculture and urbanization, on water quality. The study of variation of the AGP in time allowed the investigation of the effect of abiotic (temperature, flow rate) and biotic factors (indigenous primary production) on the concentration of nutrients potentially available to phytoplankton. Seasonal changes of the AGP have further shown the impact of non-point (runoff) or point sources (sewage effluents) on the aquatic system. A staggered relationship was observed between AGP values and chlorophyll a content of indigenous phytoplankton. Values obtained in the laboratory by means of this type of approach would therefore appear to be transferably to natural systems. S. capricornutum was also used to identify toxic characteristics of substances (in pure form or used in formulations) and effluents released into the environment. It was shown that the user of bioassays should use care when evaluating results from tests requiring pretreatment such as storage, autoclaving and filtration. Cautious interpretation is also recommended in order to distinguish between effects of growth-limiting essential elements and the presence of toxic substances. In general it appears from this review that the AGP provides helpful information for a sound management of the aquatic environment.

Acute toxicity of some chlorinated phenolic compounds toSelenastrum capricornutum and phytoplankton

Acute toxicity of several chlorinated phenolic compounds detected in waste waters of bleached pulp was determined forSelenastrum capricornutum and indigenous phytoplankton using bioassays. Five of the phenolic compounds were chlorocatechols, four were chloroguaiacols and one was chlorosyringol. The response ofSelenastrum capricornutum to chemicals was measured by cell counting and phytoplankton14C-uptake. Chlorinated catechols inhibited the growth ofSelenastrum cultures in lower concentrations than chlorinated guaiacols. The increasing number of chlorine substituents on the phenolic ring increased the toxicity of both chlorinated catechols and guaiacols. The EC50-values (0-96 hr) of the compounds ranged from 3.2 × 10−4 mM to 1.6 × 10−2 mM, with tetrachlorocatechol being the most toxic toSelenastrum capricornutum. The response of indigenous phytoplankton to chemicals was less sensitive than that ofSelenastrum capricornutum in nutrient solution; the weaker response may be caused by different physico-chemical properties in lake water.

OSCILLATORIA (TRICHODESMIUM) THIEBAUTII (CYANOPHYTA) IN THE CENTRAL NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN12

ABSTRACTPhysiological rate measurements were made with Oscillatoria thiebautii (Gom.) Geitler in the subtropical north Atlantic Ocean between Spain and Bermuda during May and June of 1975. The near surface C:N fixation ratios averaged 6.5, and the cellular composition ratio was 6.2, suggesting that N2 fixation is the major path of nitrogenous nutrition for this alga. Compared to other oceanic phytoplankters, it has a low affinity for orthophosphate at oceanic concentrations (ks= 9.0); however, it has a high potential for utilizing phosphomonoesters (170–300 ng atoms P ·μg chl a−1· h−1). Maximal photosynthesis occurred at 450–700 μ Einstein · m−2· s−1, and was inhibited by full sunlight. Calculated cell division rates (ca. 180 days) suggest that relative to other phytoplankters in this oceanic region, O. thiebautii must be subjected to negligible grazing pressure. No major differences in C, N, chl a or ATP were observed between the tuft (fusiform) and puff (spherical) colonies. ATP concentrations relative to other cellular constituents varied greatly between colonies, suggesting a general inter‐colony physiological variability in the open Atlantic. With increasing depth in the euphotic zone, there was no evidence for chromatic adaption. The observations that O. thiebautii represents only a small fraction of total phytoplankton biomass and that its growth rate is 10–100 times slower than that of the other indigenous phytoplankton, strongly suggest that N2 fixation by this alga is a virtually insignificant component of the nitrogenous nutrition for the phytoplankton of the North Atlantic central gyre in late Spring.

Effects of Prudhoe bay crude oil on primary production and zooplankton in arctic tundra thaw ponds

The effects of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, crude oil on the indigenous phytoplankton and zooplankton of tundra thaw ponds were studied under controlled conditions in situ during the summer of 1976. These effects were compared with uncontrolled oil spills on Pond Omega (a year previously) and Pond E (six years previously). In the uncontrolled spills, the phytoplankton species composition of both ponds remained appreciably different compared with control Pond C, although phytoplankton biomass did not differ greatly. Primary production remained low in Pond Omega but had recovered to control levels in Pond E. In controlled subpond experiments, oil caused a decrease of about 90–100% in primary production in five days but recovered to 40–50% of the control level within fifteen days. During that time, phytoplankton biomass decreased initially but recovered within fifteen days. Oil caused a shift in phytoplankton species composition from a predominance of cryptophytes to chrysophytes. Subponds containing two Daphnia middendorffiana and one Brachinecta paludosa per litre of pondwater were also affected by oil, causing zooplankton death within three or four days. After that time, changes in the phytoplankton species composition were similar to control subponds without zooplankton. Oil toxicity to zooplankton or experimental removal resulted in a loss of grazing pressure which caused the elimination of the cryptophyte Rhodomonas sp. This species was still absent from Pond Omega, but was seen in Pond E for the first time, when zooplankton also reappeared after six years. Oil perturbation of tundra thaw ponds causes a loss of zooplankton and a reduction in primary production. Phytoplankton primary production recovers somewhat but algal species composition remains changed because of the loss of zooplankton grazing pressure and the selective effects of oil.

Seasonal growth and succession of tropical and introduced phytoplankton cultured in deep sea water

Seasonal variation in species composition and cell production by indigenous phytoplankton was studied in unaltered and nutrient-enriched 42 m deep sea water. Species composition changed throughout the year, but pennate diatoms remained dominant. With the exception of one instance in June 1975, maximum cell concentrations never fell below 10 5 cells/litre. Introduced phytoplankton cultured in 42 m deep sea water usually obtained high cell concentrations. Phaeodactylum tricornutum inhibited the development of natural diatom populations.