Phytoplankton Research Articles

Is Primary Productivity in the Indian Ocean Sector of Southern Ocean Affected by Pigment Packaging Effect

The probable cause for photoinhibition of primary productivity (PP) in the surface layers of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean (SO) was studied during the austral summer (February) 2010. Chlorophyll a (Chl a ) and PP values were higher for polar stations compared to offshore stations and showed surface maxima; however, subsurface Chl a maxima was observed in two of the offshore stations. Biomass explained 36% of variance in PP and was not the sole controlling factor for PP variability. Euphotic zone integrated PP showed increasing trend from offshore to polar stations and varied from 159.56 to 1083.57 mg C m -2 d -1 . The relationship between Chl a -specific PP (P B ) and the corresponding photosynthetically active radiation in the water column was linear for offshore and curvilinear for polar stations, indicating the occurrence of 'photoinhibition' in the surface waters of polar stations. This could be ascribed to the onset of pigment packaging (the 'package effect') as larger phytoplankton (diatoms) dominated the polar stations, where macronutrients ratio was ideal (N : P ∼ 16 and N : Si ∼ 1) for growth of diatoms. Despite high Chl a in the polar waters, the corresponding PP was proportionally not high compared to the offshore stations. We suggest that larger phytoplankton are susceptible to pigment packaging, which in turn decreases their light-absorption/photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in lower PP, which is otherwise expected to be higher in the presence of elevated biomass.

Risk associated with toxic blooms of marine phytoplankton functional groups on Artemia franciscana

Ana D’ors, Maria Carmen Bartolome, Sebastian Sanchez-Fortun* Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University, s/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040 Madrid, Spain Faculty of Chemistry-Pharmacobiology, Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo University, 43 Santiago Tapia St., 58000 Morelia (Michoacan), Mexico Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2014; 2(8): 625-631

New records of phytoplankton from wastewater lagoons of Pagla, Bangladesh

Eight newly recorded phtyoplankton belonging to the algal Order Volvocales, Chlorococcales, Penales and Cryptomonadales from Bangladesh have been described in the present paper. The taxa are Collodictyon sparsavacuolatum Skuja, Tetrachloridium carteroides (Pascher et Jha) Huber-Pest., Chlamydomonas bicilliata Korsch., Chlorogonium liostracum Strehlow, Asterarcys cubensis Comas, Nitzschia hybrida Grun., Rhodomonas lens Pascher and Ruttner and R. ovalis Nygaard. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i1.19753 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(1): 87-90, 2014 (June)

Diatom Burst-Driven Silica Depletion under the Antarctic Sea Ice: Evidence from Sponge Spicules

Earlier studies have documented the role of diatoms in reducing the diversity and abundance of other silicadependent organisms, such as radiolaria. Here we hypothesize that diatom burst-driven depletion of dissolved silica (Dsi) in the Antarctic under sea-ice waters affects other silica-biomineralizing organisms. We found intense diatom-dominated, ice-edge phytoplankton bloom in the Enderby basin resulting in severe depletion of Dsi (<5 μM) under the sea ice. We also found siliceous sponge spicules within the surface sediment collected from under the Antarctic sea ice. Dominance of small style spicules (170 spicules/g sediment) under the sea ice along with dissolution seen on them, suggests DSi deficiency in the Antarctic waters. We, therefore, conclude that there is a rapid depletion of DSi due to seasonal diatom blooms under sea ice in the Antarctic waters.

Corrigendum to &amp;quot;Observations of a phytoplankton spring bloom onset triggered by a density front in NW Mediterranean&amp;quot; published in Ocean Sci., 10, 657–666, 2014

A. Olita1, S. Sparnocchia2, S. Cusi3,*, L. Fazioli1, R. Sorgente1, J. Tintore3,4, and A. Ribotti1 1CNR-IAMC, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Oristano Section, Torregrande (OR), Italy 2CNR-ISMAR, Institute of Marine Sciences, Trieste Section, Trieste, Italy 3SOCIB, Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System, Palma de Mallorca, Spain 4IMEDEA (CSIC-UiB), Esporles, Spain *now at: CSIC-UTM, Marine Technology Unit, Barcelona, Spain

Phytoplankton of the Paraguay and Bermejo rivers

Fil: Zalocar, Yolanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina

Phytoplankton primary production in freshwater environments of Argentina

Fil: Villafane, Virginia Estela. Fundacion Playa Union. Estacion de Fotobiologia Playa Union; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina

Phytoplankton from the Peri-Pampean hills: Córdoba system

Phytoplankton from the Peri-Pampean hills: Córdoba system

Phytoplankton of the Iberá system

Fil: Forastier, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina

Interannual variability of remotely sensed chlorophyll a during an autumn monsoon transitional period in the Taiwan Strait

973 Program Grant of China [2009CB421201]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [171305231, 40706041]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province [2011J01278]; Foundation of Key Laboratory of Marine Integrated Monitoring and Applied Technologies for Harmful Algal Blooms, State Oceanic Administration [MATHAB20100313]

Seasonal Variation in the Distribution and Isotopic Composition of Phytoplankton in an Amazon Floodplain Lake, Brazil

To evaluate the seasonal variation and isotopic composition of phytoplankton, water samples were collected monthly between October 2007 and November 2008 in Lake Catalao, a floodplain lake at the confluence between rivers Negro and Amazon. Analyses of total chlorophyll concentration and δ 13 C and δ 15 N isotopic abundances were made from particulate size fractions of 30-60, 10-30 and <10 µm in the littoral, pelagic, and floating meadows regions. Chlorophyll concentration was found to be inversely associated to lake depth, and high concentrations of chlorophyll in the floating meadows zone were significant. The fraction <10 µm was the most abundant representing in average more than 40% of the particulate matter. The δ 13 C values were relatively constant during the study (-25.1‰ ~ -34.0‰), whereas the δ 15 N values showed strong variability (15.6‰ ~ 2.4‰), which has been attributed to the resuspension of sediments during mixing of the water column. Mixing associated to the sudden drop in temperature during the rising water period was an important event in the trophic and isotopic dynamics of the lake. Variations in chlorophyll content were generally associated with the dilution process, in which concentration was inversely correlated to the water level, whereas abundance was directly correlated to the water level. VARIACION ESTACIONAL DE LA DISTRIBUCION Y COMPOSICION ISOTOPICA DEL FITOPLANCTON EN UN LAGO DE INUNDACION EN LA AMAZONIA, BRASIL. Con el proposito de evaluar la variacion estacional de la abundancia isotopica (δ 13 C e δ 15 N) del fitoplancton, muestreos mensuales fueron realizados entre octubre de 2007 y noviembre de 2008 en el lago Catalao, un lago de inundacion en la zona de confluencia de los rios Negro y Solimoes, ubicado frente a la ciudad de Manaus (AM, Brasil). Analisis de la clorofila total y evaluaciones de la abundancia natural de δ 13 C y δ 15 N fueron realizados en las fracciones particuladas de 30-60, 10-30 y <10 µm en las zonas litoral, pelagica y de macrofitas acuaticas. La concentracion de clorofila presento una relacion inversa con la profundidad del lago, siendo relevantes las altas concentraciones encontradas dentro del tapete de macrofitas acuaticas. La fraccion <10µm fue la que presento la mayor concentracion de clorofila, representando mas del 40% del material particulado. Los valores de δ 13 C fueron relativamente constantes durante el periodo de estudio (-25,1‰ ~ - 34‰), mientras que la abundancia natural de δ 15 N presento una amplia variacion (15,6‰ ~ – 2,4‰), que fue atribuida al proceso de resuspension de los sedimentos en los procesos de mezcla de la columna de agua. En este contexto, el fenomeno de la mezcla asociada con la friaje durante el periodo de aguas altas, fue un evento importante en la dinamica trofica e isotopica del lago. En general las variaciones de la concentracion de clorofila fueron asociadas al proceso de dilucion, en el cual la concentracion es inversa y la abundancia es directamente relacionada con el nivel del agua.

Optimizing biodiversity prediction from abiotic parameters

An integrated methodology is proposed for the effective prediction of biodiversity exclusively from abiotic parameters. Phytoplankton biodiversity was expressed as richness, evenness and dominance ...

Searching for Algaecide or Algaestatic Effects of Several Plant Extracts on Phytoplankton: Preliminary Results

Aims: Evaluate the in vitro effects of essential oils and water extracts of Laurus nobilis , Rosmarinus officinalis , Mentha suaveolens and Fraxinus angustifolia on the growth of Anabaena cylindrica and Chlorella vulgaris.

Comparisons of surface Chl a and primary productivity along three transects of the southern South China Sea, northern Java Sea and eastern Indian Ocean in April 2011*

Results are presented about the changes in chlorophyll a density, carbon fixation and nutrient levels in the surface waters of three transects of the southern South China Sea (SCS), northern Java Sea (JS) and eastern Indian Ocean (IO) during April 5~16 of 2011. The in situ Chl a concentration and carbon fixation showed decreasing trends from high to low latitude along the three transects, while the photosynthetic rate of phytoplankton estimated from 14 C incorporation displayed no simple variation with latitude. Chl a concentration and carbon fixation in the IO water was lower than that in the JS water. Higher salinity and lower contents of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and silicate (SiO3 2− ) characterized the IO water as compared to the SCS or JS water, and the PO4 3− content was lower in the IO water than in the SCS or JS water in most cases. Our results also indicate the importance of DIN and SiO3 2− concentrations for the geographical changes in phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity among the three regions.

赤潮过程中“藻-菌”关系的研究进展

微生物对促进海洋物质循环，维持水生环境的生态平衡具有重要作用。在赤潮事件中，基于微生物（尤其是细菌）的多样性和重要性，它们与藻类之间的相互关系成为了研究的热点。过去20年里，人们从不同角度对“藻-菌”间的关系进行了探索，包括物理学过程、生物学过程、环境过程以及化学过程。就化学过程而言，它作为一种较早出现的技术，在以往的研究中带给人们许多认识藻菌关系的方法。随着学科的渗透，化学法有了拓展与延伸，为人们认识藻菌关系带来了新的契机。从化学生态学领域来梳理“藻．菌”关系中涉及的现象和行为，包括菌对藻的有益面、菌对藻的有害面、以及藻类应答细菌行为的化学途径；并从信号语言（群体感应、化感作用）的角度来阐释两者之间的互生或克生关系。通过文献综述的方式来解读藻菌关系的互作过程和机理，为认识赤潮的发生和防控方法提供借鉴。

Mapping the Seasonal Variations of Chlorophyll Concentrations in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman Using MODIS Satellite Data

The Arabian Gulf is a semi-enclosed large water body that experiences seasonal variations and reversal of its water currents’ flow circulation. The waters of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman are characterized by high primary productivity and strong phytoplankton blooms at different times of the year. This research uses MODIS/AQUA chlorophyll concentrations of the two gulfs, along with water- and air-current patterns, to identify the factors and mechanisms that regulate the variations of these chlorophyll concentrations. The study's major findings are that observed chlorophyll concentrations are strongly correlated with wind and water current movement on both gulfs. Further, chlorophyll concentrations in the Arabian Gulf begin to increase in August and reach a peak in December as a result of the upwelling of bottom water currents driven by the north- to north-westerly wind currents, or summer shamals, from June through August. In the Gulf of Oman and the north-eastern Arabian Sea, by contrast, chlorop...

Phytoplankton Diversity and Physical-Chemical Aspects of Water Quality of Lake Jiqui, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a diversidade do fitoplâncton e a qualidade da agua do Lago Jiqui em escalas espaciais e temporais. Este ecossistema de agua doce e uma importante fonte de abastecimento de agua para a cidade de Natal e do municipio adjacente Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte. As amostras de agua foram coletadas em setembro de 2008 aagosto de 2009, em quatro locais diferentes: margem de lago, local de abastecimento de agua, meio do lago e de um local dominado por macrofitas enraizadas e flutuantes. As amostras foram coletadas das aguas superficiais e de fundo durante o periodo chuvoso e seco, de um ciclo anual. Os fatores limnologicos, tais como temperatura, pH, transparencia e condutividade eletrica foram realizadas in situ. As variaveis de nutrientes como o nitrato, amonio e ortofosfato foram analisados em laboratorio. As concentracoes de clorofila a foram analisados a partir de amostras frescas com extracao de acetona 90% no escuro a 4°C no laboratorio. Os indices ecologicos, como a diversidade, equitabilidade (similaridade) e a riqueza de especies de fitoplâncton foram calculados. Os dados de Demanda Bioquimica de Oxigenio (DBO) foram obtidos da CAERN (Companhia de Aguas e Esgotos do Rio Grande do Norte). Houve diferencas significativas para os parâmetros limnologicos na escala temporal (estacao seca e chuvosa), mas nao em escala espacial. A diversidade do fitoplâncton foi moderada a baixa, em ambas as escalas espaciais e temporais, com o dominio selecionado das especies de Euglena gracilis, Trachelomonas (Euglenophyceae) and Gomphonema, Navicula cuspidata var. cuspidata, Navicula spp , Rhopalodia gibba e Cyclotella sp (Bacillariophyceae). As concentracoes da clorofila a foram baixas durante todo o periodo de estudo, com media de 1,07 μgL -1 . A concentracao de clorofila e os valores de DBO mantiveram-se dentro dos limites admissiveis de qualidade da agua para consumo humano. O Lago Jiqui e considerado um ecossistema oligotrofico por causa de baixas concentracoes de clorofila, maior transparencia, poucas especies de cianobacterias e de baixo teor de nutrientes. Palavras-chave: Fitoplâncton, clorofila a , qualidade da agua, estado oligotrofico.

Differential Responses of Two Phytoplankton Communities from the Chubut River Estuary (Patagonia, Argentina) to the Combination of UVR and Elevated Temperature

Fil: Helbling, Eduardo Walter. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina. Fundacion Playa Union. Estacion de Fotobiologia Playa Union; Argentina

Processing of Particulate Organic Carbon Associated with Secondary-Treated Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent in Intertidal Sediments: A 13C Pulse-chase Experiment

To determine the benthic transformation pathways and fate of carbon associated with secondary-treated pulp and paper mill (PPM) effluent, (13)C-labeled activated sludge biomass (ASB) and phytoplankton (PHY) were added, separately, to estuarine intertidal sediments. Over 28 days, (13)C was traced into sediment organic carbon, fauna, seagrass, bacteria, and microphytobenthos and into fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from inundated sediments, and carbon dioxide (CO2(g)) from exposed sediments. There was greater removal of PHY carbon from sediments (~85% over 28 days) compared to ASB (~75%). Although there was similar (13)C loss from PHY and ASB plots via DIC (58% and 56%, respectively) and CO2(g) fluxes (<1%), DOC fluxes were more important for PHY (41%) than ASB (12%). Faster downward transport and loss suggest that fauna prefer PHY, due to its lability and/or toxins associated with ASB; this may account for different carbon pathways. Secondary-treated PPM effluent has lower oxygen demand than primary-treated effluent, but ASB accumulation may contribute to sediment anoxia, and respiration of ASB and PHY-derived DOC may make the water column more heterotrophic. This highlights the need to optimize secondary-treatment processes to control the quality and quantity of organic carbon associated with PPM effluent.

Paradox of the phytoplankton―an overview

AbstractThis article reviews some of the literature which has contributed to our knowledge of the paradox of the plankton, a paradox originally proposed by Hutchinson (1961). I first examine the ecology of the phytoplankton with particular reference to the question of whether or not competition for a limited amount of nutrient occurs among aquatic unicellular algae. Here I include original data, which is of value to an examination of the idea of carbon as a limiting nutrient, at least to control of the higher taxonomic composition of phytoplankton. I second examine the evolution of the phytoplankton, for which we have little information, and conclude that it is time to learn more about the fundamental biology including the genetics and evolution of the algae composing the phytoplankton. Throughout this review, I freely comment on potential research endeavors, which I believe may enhance our knowledge of the ecology and evolution of the phytoplankton.