Spring Algal Bloom Research Articles

Mesopelagic Prokaryotes Alter Surface Phytoplankton Production during Simulated Deep Mixing Experiments in Eastern Mediterranean Sea Waters

Mesopelagic prokaryotes (archaea and bacteria), which are transported together with nutrient-rich intermediate-water to the surface layer by deep convection in the oceans (e.g., winter mixing, upwelling systems), can interact with surface microbial populations. This interaction can potentially affect production rates and biomass of surface microbial populations, and thus play an important role in the marine carbon cycle and oceanic carbon sequestration. The Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) is one of the most oligotrophic and warm systems in the world’s oceans, with usually very shallow winter mixing (<200 m) and lack of large-size spring algal blooms. In this study, we collected seawater (0-1500 m) in 9 different cruises at the open EMS during both the stratified and the mixed seasons. We show that the EMS is a highly oligotrophic regime, resulting in low autotrophic biomass and primary productivity and relatively high heterotrophic prokaryotic biomass and production. Further, we simulated deep water mixing in on-board microcosms using Levantine surface (LSW, ~0.5 m) and intermediate (LIW, ~400 m) waters at a 9:1 ratio, respectively and examined the responses of the microbial populations to such a scenario. We hypothesized that the LIW, being nutrient-rich (e.g., N, P) and a ‘hot-spot’ for microbial activity (due to the warm conditions that prevail in these depths), may supply the LSW with not only key-limiting nutrients but also with viable and active heterotrophic prokaryotes that can interact with the ambient surface microbial population. Indeed, we show that LIW heterotrophic prokaryotes negatively affected the surface phytoplankton populations, resulting in lower chlorophyll-a levels and primary production rates. This may be due to out-competition of phytoplankton by LIW populations for resources and/or by a phytoplankton cell lysis via viral infection. Our results suggest that phytoplankton in the EMS may not likely form blooms, even after exceptionally deep winter mixing, and therefore have a very small overall effect on the vertical flux of organic matter to the deep sea.

The Limnohabitans Genus Harbors Generalistic and Opportunistic Subtypes: Evidence from Spatiotemporal Succession in a Canyon-Shaped Reservoir.

We studied the diversity of Limnohabitans using reverse line blot hybridization with Limnohabitans lineage-specific probes in the freshwater canyon-shaped Římov reservoir (Czech Republic). To examine the succession of distinct lineages, we performed (i) a study of an intensive spring sampling program at the lacustrine part of the Římov reservoir (from ice melt through a phytoplankton peak to the clear-water phase), and (ii) a seasonal study (April to November) when the occurrence of distinct Limnohabitans lineages was related to the inherent longitudinal heterogeneity of the reservoir. Significant spatiotemporal changes in the compositions of distinct Limnohabitans lineages allowed for the identification of "generalists" that were always present throughout the whole season as well as "specialists" that appeared in the reservoir only for limited periods of time or irregularly. Our results indicate that some phytoplankton groups, such as cryptophytes or cyanobacteria, and zooplankton composition were the major factors modulating the distribution and dynamics of distinct Limnohabitans lineages. The highest Limnohabitans diversity was observed during the spring algal bloom, whereas the lowest was during the summer cyanobacterial bloom. The microdiversity also markedly increased upstream in the reservoir, being highest at the inflow, and thus likely reflecting strong influences of the watershed.IMPORTANCE The genus Limnohabitans is a typical freshwater bacterioplankton and is believed to play a significant role in inland freshwater habitats. This work is unique in detecting and tracing different closely related lineages of this bacterial genus in its natural conditions using the semiquantitative reverse line blot hybridization method and in discovering the factors influencing the microdiversity, subtype alternations, and seasonality.

Wind effects on the spring phytoplankton dynamics in the middle reach of the Chesapeake Bay

The spring phytoplankton bloom, bridging nutrient loading and summer hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay especially in its middle reach, is highly sensitive to physical forcing. In addition to riverine input, winds could be a noticeable driver of estuarine phytoplankton variability, affecting its water quality and ecosystem health. In this study, wind impacts on the spring bloom were investigated utilizing the 29-year (1985–2013) monitoring data and an existing FVCOM-ICM estuarine water quality model. The retrospective analysis revealed that winds exerted a significant control on the spring algal biomass in the middle bay, which could be as important as the effects of riverine inputs. According to the model simulation, the mid-bay spring algal bloom was mainly fueled by the riverine nutrients, and its biomass was higher on the western than that on the eastern flank. Numerical experiments indicated a negative relationship between stratification and the overall algal biomass. It was found that up-estuary (southerly) winds could induce upwelling, thus enhance primary production along the western shore, and increase phytoplankton transport to deeper waters, making up-estuary winds most effective in the mid-bay transverse phytoplankton enrichment. Given that the regional wind pattern is tightly coupled with the large-scale climatic variability, it is recommended to fully consider climatic effects on the lower food web in ecosystem management in the future.

Diatoms in the ice of Velikaya Salma strait, the White Sea, before the spring algal bloom

Diatom species composition in the ice of Velikaya Salma strait of Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea was studied in 5 stations in March, 2013–2014—prior to the spring algal bloom. Under-ice water salinity and ice thickness did not differ significantly between the two years. In total 59 diatom taxa (47 species and 12 taxa of higher taxonomic ranks) were found in the ice of Velikaya Salma strait, which makes 61% of the number of diatom taxa found in Velikaya Salma ice during the whole ice period and 22% of all the White Sea ice species. Species Stenoneis obtuserostrata (Hustedt) Poulin and Gyrosigma concilians (Cleve) Okolodkov were identified in the White Sea ice for the first time. Szymkiewicz-Simpson similarity coefficient for pairs of stations with significant difference was 0.44–0.80.

Responses of a phytoplankton community to seasonal and environmental changes in Lake Nansihu, China

Phytoplankton is the primary producer and the basis of most aquatic food webs. Characterising the variations in phytoplankton communities and the factors affecting these variations in a fluctuating environment are central issues in ecology and essential to developing appropriate conservation strategies. In the present study, seasonal variations in the phytoplankton community and the driving environmental factors were analysed based on data from Lake Nansihu in 2013. In all, 138 phytoplankton species were identified. The phytoplankton community exhibited seasonal variations, with a mean abundance that ranged from 5.00×105 cells L–1 in winter to 4.57×106 cells L–1 in summer and a mean biomass that varied from 0.44mgL–1 in winter to 3.75mgL–1 in summer. A spring algal bloom did not appear in this warm, temperate monsoon lake, but an algal bloom did appear in summer when the temperature and nutrient concentrations were high. There were substantial seasonal variations in the dominant phytoplankton taxa, from Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta and Euglenophyta in spring to Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta in summer, followed by dominance of Chlorophyta in autumn and Bacillariophyta in winter. Results of canonical correspondence analysis indicated that although the environmental factors affecting the seasonal variations in different phytoplankton species varied, water temperature, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen appeared to be the most dominant. These four variables were also the main environmental factors driving the seasonal variations in the phytoplankton community in the lake. The results of the present study will be useful in guaranteeing the water quality and ecological security of Lake Nansihu.

Effect of Thermal Stratification on Phytoplankton and Nutrient Dynamics in a Regulated River (Saar, Germany)

AbstractThe weir pool Serrig is the deepest one along the impounded river Saar. Damming caused massive changes in the river's hydrodynamics. We analyzed the spatio‐temporal variability of thermal density stratification in the weir pool and its effect on phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics. In the analysis, continuous measurements from the years 2014 and 2015 were combined with three two‐day sampling campaigns in spring 2015. Thermal stratification occurred regularly in the downstream section of the weir pool during spring and summer and showed a diurnal rhythm. Temperature differences &gt;1 K between the 1 and 2 m water layer were observed during 34 out of 217 days (16%) in 2014, with maximum temperature gradients up to 3.71 K. Whereas the influence of thermal stratification on phytoplankton biomass and distribution was low during the algal bloom in early spring, stratification events between May and July promoted temporary algal blooms in the surface layer with chlorophyll a concentrations up to 98 µg Chla l−1 and a maximum difference between the 1 and 2 m water layer of 36 µg Chla l−1. Some of the stratification events resulted in reduced concentrations of dissolved nutrients in the surface layer as a result of increased uptake by algae, with maximum gradients between the surface and the 8 m water layer of 0.070 mg ortho‐PO43‐‐P l−1, 0.136 mg NH4+−N l−1 and 0.24 mg NO3¯−N l−1. These vertical gradients should be considered in sampling protocols for the assessment of the water quality of temporarily stratified river sections. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of phosphorus import characteristics of the upstream input rivers of Three Gorges Reservoir

The phosphorus import of upstream rivers of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) significantly affects water environment of TGR. To recognize phosphorus import characteristics of the Yangtze River, the Jialing River, and the Wu River, the accumulated 10-year statistic data (2004–2013) of total phosphorus concentration were analyzed. Two water sampling campaigns at the critical sites in three upstream rivers were carried out in October 2014 and January 2015 to determine phosphorus fractions in water and suspended particulate. The results showed that there were different import characteristics of phosphorus component in three upstream rivers. The phosphorus concentration in water of Wulong site in the Wu Rivers exhibited a sharply increasing trend from 2004 to 2011, and it was much higher than that in the Yangtze River and the Jialing River after 2005. Besides agricultural nonpoint pollutions, these were greatly attributed to phosphorus mine exploitations in the upstream basin of Wu River. In addition, the import of phosphorus fractions from three upstream rivers also showed significant temporal variations. During impounding stage of TGR (October 2014), total particulate phosphorus in water accounted for more than 50 % of total phosphorus (TP); meanwhile, 51 % of phosphorus in suspended particulate were in the form of bioavailable phosphorus, meaning that the potential impact of inputted particulate phosphorus from three upstream rivers on the water environment of TGR cannot be ignored. However, total dissolved phosphorus was the predominant phosphorus fractions in water which accounted for more than 61 % of TP during high water level stage of TGR (January 2015). During this period, large amount of reservoir backwater would flow into the tributaries of TGR; consequently, the inputted dissolved phosphorus could be accumulated in the tributaries and then may provide sufficient nutrients for algal bloom in spring.

Free polyamine content during algal bloom succession in the East China Sea in spring 2010

We measured the concentrations and distribution of major polyamines (spermine, putrescine and spermidine) in seawater during successive spring algal blooms in an area of frequent harmful blooms in the East China Sea. Spermine, putrescine, and spermidine concentrations were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and ranged from 1-64, 7-81, and 0-19 nmol/L. Spermine was present at the highest concentrations, followed by putrescine and spermidine. In late April, when a diatom bloom dominated by Skeletonema costatum dispersed, polyamine concentrations increased, presumably as a result of diatom decomposition. In early May, when a dinoflagellate bloom dominated by Prorocentrum donghaiense occurred, the polyamine concentration decreased from the level seen in late April. The abundant polyamines that decomposed and were released during the diatom bloom in late April may have promoted the growth of P. donghaiense, resulting in its dominance.

The green impact: bacterioplankton response toward a phytoplankton spring bloom in the southern North Sea assessed by comparative metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches.

Phytoplankton blooms exhibit a severe impact on bacterioplankton communities as they change nutrient availabilities and other environmental factors. In the current study, the response of a bacterioplankton community to a Phaeocystis globosa spring bloom was investigated in the southern North Sea. For this purpose, water samples were taken inside and reference samples outside of an algal spring bloom. Structural changes of the bacterioplankton community were assessed by amplicon-based analysis of 16S rRNA genes and transcripts generated from environmental DNA and RNA, respectively. Several marine groups responded to bloom presence. The abundance of the Roseobacter RCA cluster and the SAR92 clade significantly increased in bloom presence in the total and active fraction of the bacterial community. Functional changes were investigated by direct sequencing of environmental DNA and mRNA. The corresponding datasets comprised more than 500 million sequences across all samples. Metatranscriptomic data sets were mapped on representative genomes of abundant marine groups present in the samples and on assembled metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets. Differences in gene expression profiles between non-bloom and bloom samples were recorded. The genome-wide gene expression level of Planktomarina temperata, an abundant member of the Roseobacter RCA cluster, was higher inside the bloom. Genes that were differently expressed included transposases, which showed increased expression levels inside the bloom. This might contribute to the adaptation of this organism toward environmental stresses through genome reorganization. In addition, several genes affiliated to the SAR92 clade were significantly upregulated inside the bloom including genes encoding for proteins involved in isoleucine and leucine incorporation. Obtained results provide novel insights into compositional and functional variations of marine bacterioplankton communities as response to a phytoplankton bloom.

Variation in photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton during the spring algal blooms in the adjacent area of Changjiang River estuary

Nine cruises were undertaken in the adjacent area of Changjiang River estuary from late March to May in 2011 to investigate the variation in photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm) of surface water during algal blooms. The time series covered the period from Skeletonema sp. bloom to Prorocentrum donghaiense bloom. The results showed that Fv/Fm ranged from 0.17 to 0.73. Temperature, turbidity and nutrients were the primary influencing factors on Fv/Fm and Fv/Fm showed a strong diel periodicity. Additionally, the change in Fv/Fm during Skeletonema sp. and P. donghaiense bloom was similar. Fv/Fm increased to more than 0.60 before bloom initiation, and then chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration rocketed and the bloom broke out. Fv/Fm was above 0.6 during bloom development and declined to below 0.6 when bloom dissipated. Fv/Fm increasing to higher level occurred several days prior to significant increases in Chl a and outbreak of bloom, indicating Fv/Fm can be used to predict onset of algal blooms.

DOC and POC in the water column of the southern Baltic. Part I. Evaluation of factors influencing sources, distribution and concentration dynamics of organic matter

Organic substances are important components of the marine environment as they determine the properties of seawater and the key biogeochemical processes taking place in it. Organic carbon (OC) is a measure of organic matter. For practical purposes, OC is divided into dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC). Both DOC and POC play a major role in the carbon cycle, especially in shelf seas like the Baltic, where their concentrations are substantial. In a three-year study (2009–2011) seawater samples for DOC and POC measurements were collected from stations located in the Gdańsk Deep, the Gotland Deep and the Bornholm Deep. The accuracy and precision of analysis were satisfactory; the recovery was better than 95%, and the relative standard deviation was 4% (n =5). Concentrations of chlorophyll a, phaeopigment a, salinity, pH and temperature were also measured in the same samples. These parameters were selected as proxies of processes contributing to DOC and POC abundance.The aim of the study was to address questions regarding the vertical, horizontal and seasonal dynamics of both DOC and POC in the Baltic Sea and the factors influencing carbon concentrations. In general, the highest concentrations of both DOC and POC were recorded in the surface water layer (DOC~4.7mgdm−3, POC~0.6mgdm−3) as a consequence of intensive phytoplankton activity, and in the halocline layer (DOC~5.1mgdm−3, POC~0.4mgdm−3). The lowest DOC and POC concentrations were measured in the sub-halocline water layer, where the values did not exceed 3.5mgdm−3 (DOC) and 0.1mgdm−3 (POC). Seasonally, the highest DOC and POC concentrations were measured during the growing season: surface DOC~5.0mgdm−3; sub-halocline DOC~4.1mgdm−3 and surface POC~∼0.9mgdm−3, sub-halocline POC~∼0.2mgdm−3. The ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test results indicate statistically significant differences among the three study sites regarding average concentrations, and concentrations in particular water layers and seasons. It shows that concentrations of DOC and POC differ in sub-basins of the Baltic Sea. The differences were attributed to the varying distances from river mouths to study sites or the different starting times and/or durations of the spring algal blooms. Statistically significant dependences were found between both DOC and POC concentrations and Chl a (phytoplankton biomass), pH (phytoplankton photosynthetic rate), pheo (zooplankton sloppy feeding), salinity (river run-off and North Sea water inflows) and water temperature (season). This was taken as proof that these factors influence DOC and POC in the study areas.

Seasonality of floc strength in the southern North Sea

The suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration in the high turbidity zones of the southern North Sea is inversely correlated with chlorophyll (Chl) concentration. During winter, SPM concentration is high and Chl concentration is low and vice versa during summer. This seasonality has often been associated with the seasonal pattern in wind forcing. However, the decrease in SPM concentration corresponds well with the spring algal bloom. Does the decrease of SPM concentration caused by changing wind conditions cause the start of algae bloom, or does the algae bloom decrease SPM concentrations through enhanced flocculation and deposition? To answer the question, measurements from 2011 of particle size distribution (PSD), SPM, and Chl concentrations from the southern North Sea have been analyzed. The results indicate that the frequency of occurrence of macroflocs has a seasonal signal, while seasonality has little impact upon floc size. The data from a highly turbid coastal zone suggest that the maximum size of the macroflocs is controlled by turbulence and the available flocculation time during a tidal cycle, but the strength of the macroflocs is controlled by the availability of sticky organic substances associated with enhanced primary production during spring and summer. The results highlight the shift from mainly microflocs and flocculi in winter toward more muddy marine snow with larger amounts of macroflocs in spring and summer. The macroflocs will reduce the SPM concentrations in the turbidity maximum area as they settle faster. Consequently, the SPM concentration decreases and the light condition increases in the surface layer enhancing algae growth further.

Numerical simulation of nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics in Guangxi coastal bays, China

The increasing riverine pollutants have resulted in nutrient enrichment and deterioration of water quality in the coastal water of Guangxi Province, China. However, the quantitative relationship between nutrient loads and water quality responses, which is crucial for developing eutrophication control strategies, is not well studied. In this study, the riverine fluxes of nutrients were quantified and integrated with nutrient cycling and phytoplankton dynamics by using box models for Guangxi coastal bays. The model concepts and biogeochemical equations were the same; while most model parameters were specific for each bay. The parameters were calibrated with seasonal observations during 2006–2007, and validated with yearly averaged measurements in 2009. The general features of nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics were reproduced, and the models were proved feasible under a wide range of bay conditions. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen was depleted during the spring algal bloom in Zhenzhu Bay and Fangcheng Bay with relatively less nutrient inputs. Phosphorus concentration was high in spring, which decreased then due to continuous phytoplankton consumption. Chlorophyll-a concentration reached its annual maximum in summer, but was the minimum in winter. Eutrophication was characterized by both an increase in nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass in Lianzhou Bay. Either about 80% reduction of nitrogen or 70% reduction of phosphorus was required to control the algal bloom in Lianzhou Bay. Defects of the models were discussed and suggestions to the environmental protection of Guangxi coastal bays were proposed.

Ecological Stoichiometry and Multi-element Transfer in a Coastal Ecosystem

Energy (carbon) flows and element cycling are fundamental, interlinked principles explaining ecosystem processes. The element balance in components, interactions and processes in ecosystems (ecological stoichiometry; ES) has been used to study trophic dynamics and element cycling. This study extends ES beyond its usual limits of C, N, and P and examines the distribution and transfer of 48 elements in 16 components of a coastal ecosystem, using empirical and modeling approaches. Major differences in elemental composition were demonstrated between abiotic and biotic compartments and trophic levels due to differences in taxonomy and ecological function. Mass balance modeling for each element, based on carbon fluxes and element:C ratios, was satisfactory for 92.5% of all element–compartment combinations despite the complexity of the ecosystem model. Model imbalances could mostly be explained by ecological processes, such as increased element uptake during the spring algal bloom. Energy flows in ecosystems can thus realistically estimate element transfer in the environment, as modeled uptake is constrained by metabolic rates and elements available. The dataset also allowed us to examine one of the key concepts of ES, homeostasis, for more elements than is normally possible. The relative concentrations of elements in organisms compared to their resources did not provide support for the theory that autotrophs show weak homeostasis and showed that the strength of homeostasis by consumers depends on the type of element (for example, macroelement, trace element). Large-scale, multi-element ecosystem studies are essential to evaluate and advance the framework of ES and the importance of ecological processes.

Support Vector Regression Model of Chlorophyll-&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;a&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; during Spring Algal Bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir, China

To study the relationship between chlorophyll-a and environmental variables during spring algal bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir, the support vector regression (SVR) model was established. In surveys, 11 stations have been investigated and 264 samples were collected weekly from March 4 to May 13 in 2007 and February 16 to May 10 in 2008. The parameters in SVR model were optimized by leave one out cross validation. The squared correlation coefficient R2 and the cross validated squared correlation coefficient Q2 of the optimal SVR model are 0.8202 and 0.7301, respectively. Compared with stepwise multiple linear regression and back propagation artificial neural network models using external validation, the SVR model has been shown to perform well for regression with the predictive squared correlation coefficient R2pred value of 0.7842 for the test set.

Decadal-Scale Changes of Dinoflagellates and Diatoms in the Anomalous Baltic Sea Spring Bloom

The algal spring bloom in the Baltic Sea represents an anomaly from the winter-spring bloom patterns worldwide in terms of frequent and recurring dominance of dinoflagellates over diatoms. Analysis of approximately 3500 spring bloom samples from the Baltic Sea monitoring programs revealed (i) that within the major basins the proportion of dinoflagellates varied from 0.1 (Kattegat) to >0.8 (central Baltic Proper), and (ii) substantial shifts (e.g. from 0.2 to 0.6 in the Gulf of Finland) in the dinoflagellate proportion over four decades. During a recent decade (1995–2004) the proportion of dinoflagellates increased relative to diatoms mostly in the northernmost basins (Gulf of Bothnia, from 0.1 to 0.4) and in the Gulf of Finland, (0.4 to 0.6) which are typically ice-covered areas. We hypothesize that in coastal areas a specific sequence of seasonal events, involving wintertime mixing and resuspension of benthic cysts, followed by proliferation in stratified thin layers under melting ice, favors successful seeding and accumulation of dense dinoflagellate populations over diatoms. This head-start of dinoflagellates by the onset of the spring bloom is decisive for successful competition with the faster growing diatoms. Massive cyst formation and spreading of cyst beds fuel the expanding and ever larger dinoflagellate blooms in the relatively shallow coastal waters. Shifts in the dominant spring bloom algal groups can have significant effects on major elemental fluxes and functioning of the Baltic Sea ecosystem, but also in the vast shelves and estuaries at high latitudes, where ice-associated cold-water dinoflagellates successfully compete with diatoms.

Temporal Coherence of Chlorophyll a during a Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three‐Gorges Reservoir, China

AbstractAlgal bloom phenomenon was defined as “the rapid growth of one or more phytoplankton species which leads to a rapid increase in the biomass of phytoplankton”, yet most estimates of temporal coherence are based on yearly or monthly sampling frequencies and little is known of how synchrony varies among phytoplankton or of the causes of temporal coherence during spring algal bloom. In this study, data of chlorophyll a and related environmental parameters were weekly gathered at 15 sampling sites in Xiangxi Bay of Three‐Gorges Reservoir (TGR, China) to evaluate patterns of temporal coherence for phytoplankton during spring bloom and test if spatial heterogeneity of nutrient and inorganic suspended particles within a single ecosystem influences synchrony of spring phytoplankton dynamics. There is a clear spatial and temporal variation in chlorophyll a across Xiangxi Bay. The degree of temporal coherence for chlorophyll a between pairs of sites located in Xiangxi Bay ranged from –0.367 to 0.952 with mean and median values of 0.349 and 0.321, respectively. Low levels of temporal coherence were often detected among the three stretches of the bay (Down reach, middle reach and upper reach), while high levels of temporal coherence were often found within the same reach of the bay. The relative difference of DIN between pair sites was the strong predictor of temporal coherence for chlorophyll a in down and middle reach of the bay, while the relative difference in Anorganic Suspended Solids was the important factor regulating temporal coherence in middle and upper reach. Contrary to many studies, these results illustrate that, in a small geographic area (a single reservoir bay of approximately 25 km), spatial heterogeneity influence synchrony of phytoplankton dynamics during spring bloom and local processes may override the effects of regional processes or dispersal. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Zebra mussels mediate benthic–pelagic coupling by biodeposition and changing detrital stoichiometry

Summary1. The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is one of the most successful invasive species; it has colonised many aquatic systems in Europe and North America with strong impacts on various ecosystem processes. The effect of D. polymorpha filtration on pelagic seston concentrations has been quantified in several studies, but the magnitude and stoichiometry of the transfer of sestonic biomass into benthic detritus by D. polymorpha and the accompanying enrichment of the benthic habitat is still under‐investigated.2. We studied biodeposition by zebra mussels in two series of laboratory experiments with the food algae Cryptomonas erosa and Scenedesmus obliquus. We also measured the year‐round biodeposition rate under natural conditions in the oligotrophic Lake Constance.3. In all experiments, zebra mussel biodeposition was linearly related to seston concentration. In the field, the relationship changed with a seasonal shift in algal composition and lower biodeposition rates during the spring algal bloom.4. For both algal species in laboratory experiments, biodeposited material was depleted in phosphorous at an algal concentration ≤0.6 mg ash‐free dry mass L−1, but not at higher concentrations. This effect was not observed in the field, probably because of high variation in C : N : P stoichiometry.5. By mediating the transfer of pelagic resources into the benthos zebra mussels provide a sufficient amount of detritus for benthic invertebrates, especially during summer. Thus, material biodeposited by the mussels might increase benthic secondary production from pelagic resources, and zebra mussels are important mediators of this flux of organic matter from the pelagic zone into the benthos.

Spring Diatom Blooming Phases in a Representative Eutrophic Bay of the Three-Gorges Reservoir, China

ABSTRACT We investigated dynamics of the phytoplankton community and abiotic factors in Xiangxi Bay of the Three-Gorge Reservoir, China, by daily sampling a specific site during a spring algal bloom (February 23-April 28, 2005). Among the 76 taxa observed, Asterionella formosa and Cyclotella spp. were the dominants, accounting for 47.2% and 29.9% of the total abundance, respectively. We determined the five distinct developing phases of the bloom by analyzing the dissimilarity of physicochemical parameters. Simultaneously, six phytoplankton community groups were distinguished by TWINSPAN classifications. The pattern for algal community succession was similar to that for the bloom phase shift, and the structural complexity of communities significantly decreased over time. Water temperature and silicate were the main factors that related to the development of the bloom and the shifts of the phytoplankton community.

Organic matter input and processing in two contrasting North Sea sediments: insights from stable isotope and biomass data

Organic matter input and processing was studied in 2 contrasting sediments (Stn 115FINE and Stn 330COARSE) in the southern North Sea. The sediments are subjected to similar hydrodynamic conditions, but Stn 115FINE underlies a high turbidity zone, making it a fine, low-permeability sedi- ment. Monthly data on chlorophyll a (chl a), δ 13 C and δ 15 N of particulate organic matter in the water column and sediment showed that the algal spring bloom deposition created a strong vertical gradi- ent of sedimentary chl a at Stn 115FINE. Macrobenthic biomass (78 ± 60 g C m -2 , mean ± SD) was dom- inated by suspension feeders, suggesting biological mediation of the organic matter input. In con- trast, the offshore Stn 330COARSE is a coarse, high-permeability sediment in which chl a penetrated centimeters deep due to physically mediated input. The macrobenthic community, low in biomass (3.8 ± 2.4 g C m -2 ), was dominated by mobile polychaetes and epibenthic amphipods, which is char- acteristic of physically disturbed sediments. Overall, sediment characteristics played an important but indirect role in the organic matter input and processing. At Stn 115FINE, a large macrobenthic com- munity developed that mediated the input of organic matter to the sediment through herbivore and predatory pathways. At Stn 330COARSE, in contrast, organic matter input seemed to be dominated by physical processes. Overall, the fraction of algal carbon degraded in the sediment was higher at Stn 115FINE than at Stn 330COARSE, indicating that the physical input at Stn 330COARSE was less efficient than the biological input at Stn 115FINE.