Peculiarities of summer phytoplankton spatial distribution in Onega Bay of the White Sea under local hydrophysical conditions

The species composition and phytoplankton biomass, concentrations of chlorophyll “a” (Chl) and nutrients in the surface water layer, and accompanying hydrophysical conditions were studied in Onega Bay of the White Sea in June 2015. The temperature and salinity of surface water layer and the water column stability varied greatly in the bay. The nutrients' concentrations exceeded the limiting threshold necessary for the phytoplankton development. The phytoplankton abundance was relatively low, averaged as 13.46 ± 9.00 mg C/m³ (total phytoplankton biomass), 0.78 ± 0.43 mg/m³ (concentration of chlorophyll “a”), and 0.18 ± 0.27 mg C/m³ (picophytoplankton biomass). The highest phytoplankton biomass has been registered along the frontal zones. Three phytoplankton communities that differed significantly in their structure have been found.     

Interannual variability in the distribution of the phytoplankton standing stock across the seasonal sea-ice zone west of the Antarctic Peninsula

The spatial distribution of phytoplankton cell abundance, carbon(C) biomass and chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration was analysedduring three summers (1996, 1997 and 1999) in a seasonal sea-icearea, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The objective of thestudy was to assess interannual variability in phytoplanktonspatial distribution and the mechanisms that regulate phytoplanktonaccumulation in the water column. Phytoplankton C biomass andChl a distributions were consistent from year to year, exhibitinga negative on/offshore gradient. The variations in C concentrationhad a close and non-linear relationship with the upper mixedlayer depth, suggesting that the vertical mixing of the watercolumn is the main factor regulating phytoplankton stock. Themagnitude of C gradients was 5-fold higher during 1996 thanduring 1997 and 1999. This was ascribed to interannual variationsin the concentration of diatom blooms in the region influencedby sea-ice melting. Vertical distribution of the phytoplankton,as estimated from Chl a profiles, also varied along an on/offshoregradient: Chl a was distributed homogeneously in the upper mixedlayer in coastal and mid-shelf stations and concentrated inthe deep layer (40–100 m) occupied by the winter waters(WW, remnants of the Antarctic surface waters during summer)in more offshore stations. The region with a deep Chl a maximumlayer (DCM layer) was dominated by a phytoplankton assemblagecharacterized by a relatively high concentration of diatoms.The extent of this region varied from year to year: it was restrictedto pelagic waters during 1996, extended to the shelf slope during1997 and occupied a major portion of the area during 1999. Itis hypothesized that iron depletion in near surface waters dueto phytoplankton consumption, and a higher concentration inWW, regulated this vertical phytoplankton distribution pattern.Furthermore, we postulate that year-to-year variations in thespatial distribution of the DCM layer were related to interannualvariations in the timing of the sea-ice retreat. The similaritybetween our results and those reported in literature for otherareas of the Southern Ocean allows us to suggest that the mechanismsproposed here as regulating phytoplankton stock in our areamay be applicable elsewhere.     

Build-up and decline of summer phytoplankton biomass in the eastern Weddell Sea,Antarctica

The seasonal development and decline of phytoplankton was investigated in the eastern Weddell Sea during summer and fall 1991. During the first half of the study (15 Jan–13 Feb) in an area off Vestkapp, favourable irradiance/mixing regimes initiated net phytoplankton growth in ice-free waters on the shelf and in stretches of open water over the partially ice-covered deep ocean. Chi a concentrations in the upper water column were moderate (0.2–0.8 g l^–1), but significantly above winter values. Later in the season (16 Feb–11 March), a phytoplankton bloom with surface Chl a concentrations ranging from 1.6–2.3 g l^–1 was encountered in an area further to the east. We suggest that the upper water column must have been stratified in this region for time scales of weeks to faciliate bloom development. Bacterial biomass and productivity generally paralleled the seasonal development of the phytoplankton. Nitrate concentrations in the upper mixed layer were substantially lower than would be expected from the existing phytoplankton standing stock, suggesting that heterotrophic consumption of organic matter by bacteria and zooplankton removed a large fraction of the primary production. The shallow seasonal pycnocline was eventually eroded by the passage of a storm, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of phytoplankton biomass over the entire water column, followed by sedimentation and deposition of phytodetritus on the sea floor. After the storm induced destratification, bacterial productivity was particularly high, amounting to more than half of the primary production (range: 10%–120%) in the upper water column. Subsequently, phytoplankton biomass in the upper water column decreased to values <1 g Chl a l^–1. The combination of low incident irradiances and incessant deep mixing prevented the phytoplankton biomass to increase again. During the last week of the investigation, extensive new-ice formation was observed. A major fraction of the residual surface plankton was incorporated into new sea ice, thus terminating the pelagic growth season of the phytoplankton in the eastern Weddell Sea.     

Distribution and development of under-ice phytoplankton in 90-m deep water column of Lake Päijänne (Finland) during spring convection

Distribution and development of phytoplankton were studied in the deep and large Lake Päijänne from mid-winter until the disappearance of ice. Diatoms were an important part of the phytoplankton assemblage and, with cryptophytes and chrysophytes, made up 50–80% of the phytoplankton biomass. In mid-winter, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton biomass were uniformly distributed over the whole water column down to a depth of 90 m. Thus, most of the phytoplankton was in virtual darkness and there was negligible growth. Only motile cryptophytes were concentrated in the layers below the ice and were rare in deep water. After the disappearance of snow, convection developed, but at first cryptophytes were able to resist mixing. When convection turned from penetrative to predominantly horizontal, all phytoplankton were generally uniformly distributed in the water column. In spite of the full under-ice overturn with low average availability of light, the phytoplankton biomass doubled in April. The growth of cryptophytes was higher than that of diatoms, suggesting that motile species gained an advantage by being able to maintain themselves in the upper, illuminated layers. The results show that knowledge of the basic physical framework is essential for interpretation of under-ice phytoplankton results.     

Temperature-Correlated Changes in Phytoplankton Community Structure Are Restricted to Polar Waters

Globally distributed observations of size-fractionated chlorophyll a and temperature were used to incorporate temperature dependence into an existing semi-empirical model of phytoplankton community size structure. The additional temperature-dependent term significantly increased the model’s ability to both reproduce and predict observations of chlorophyll a size-fractionation at temperatures below 2°C. The most notable improvements were in the smallest (picoplankton) size-class, for which overall model fit was more than doubled, and predictive skill was increased by approximately 40%. The model was subsequently applied to generate global maps for three phytoplankton size classes, on the basis of satellite-derived estimates of surface chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature. Polar waters were associated with marked decline in the chlorophyll a biomass of the smallest cells, relative to lower latitude waters of equivalent total chlorophyll a. In the same regions a complementary increase was seen in the chlorophyll a biomass of larger size classes. These findings suggest that a warming and stratifying ocean will see a poleward expansion of the habitat range of the smallest phytoplankton, with the possible displacement of some larger groups that currently dominate. There was no evidence of a strong temperature dependence in tropical or sub-tropical regions, suggesting that future direct temperature effects on community structure at lower latitudes may be small.     

Protozooplankton in the Weddell Sea,Antarctica: Abundance and distribution in the ice-edge zone

Summary Protozooplankton were sampled in the iceedge zone of the Weddell Sea during the austral spring of 1983 and the austral autumn of 1986. Protozooplankton biomass was dominated by flagellates and ciliates. Other protozoa and micrometazoa contributed a relatively small fraction to the heterotrophic biomass. During both cruises protozoan biomass, chlorophyll a concentrations, phytoplankton production and bacterial biomass and production were low at ice covered stations. During the spring cruise, protozooplankton, phytoplankton, and bacterioplankton reached high concentrations in a welldeveloped ice edge bloom 100 km north of the receding ice edge. During the autumn cruise, the highest concentrations of biomass were in open water well-separated from the ice edge. Integrated protozoan biomass was <12% of the biomass of phytoplankton during the spring cruise and in the autumn the percentages at some stations were >20%. Bacterial biomass exceeded protozooplankton biomass at ice covered stations but in open water stations during the fall cruise, protozooplankton biomass reached twice that of bacteria in the upper 100m of the water column. The biomass of different protozoan groups was positively correlated with primary production, chlorophyll a concentrations and bacterial production and biomass, suggesting that the protozoan abundances were largely controlled by prey availability and productivity. Population grazing rates calculated from clearance rates in the literature indicated that protozooplankton were capable of consuming significant portions of the daily phyto- and bacterioplankton production.     

Light limitation of phytoplankton development in an oligotrophic lake - Loch Ness, Scotland

• 1 The underwater light climate in Loch Ness is described in terms of mixing depth (Z_m) and depth of the euphoric zone (Z_eu). During periods of complete mixing, Z_m equates with the mean depth of the loch (132 m), but even during summer stratification the morphometry of the loch and the strong prevailing winds produce a deep thermocline and an epilimnetic mixed layer of about 30 m or greater. Hence, throughout the year the quotient Z_m/Z_eu is exceptionally high and the underwater light climate particularly unfavourable for phytoplankton production and growth.
• 2 Phytoplankton biomass expressed as chlorophyll a is very low in Loch Ness, with a late summer maximum of less than 1.5 mg chlorophyll a m^-3 in the upper 30 m of the water column. This low biomass and the resulting very low photosynthetic carbon fixation within the water column are evidence that a severe restraint is imposed on the rate at which phytoplankton can grow in the loch.
• 3 The chlorophyll a content per unit of phytoplankton biovolume and the maximum, light-saturated specific rate of photosynthesis are both parameters which might be influenced by the light climate under which the phytoplankton have grown. However, values obtained from Loch Ness for both chlorophyll a content (mean 0.0045 mg mm^-3) and maximum photosynthetic rate (1–4 mg C mg Chla^-1 h^-1) are within the range reported from other lakes.
• 4 Laboratory bioassays with the natural phytoplankton community from Loch Ness on two occasions in late summer when the light climate in the loch is at its most favourable, suggest that even then limitation of phytoplankton growth is finely balanced between light and phosphorus limitation. Hence, for most of the year, when the light climate is less favourable, phytoplankton growth will be light limited.
• 5 Quotients relating mean annual algal biomass as chlorophyll a (c. 0.5 mg Chla m^-3) and the probable annual specific areal loading of total phosphorus (0.4–1.7 g TP m^-2 yr^-1) suggest that the efficiency with which phytoplankton is produced in Loch Ness per unit of TP loading is extremely low when compared with values from other Scottish lochs for which such an index has been calculated. This apparent inefficiency can be attributed to suppression of photosynthetic productivity in the water column due to the unfavourable underwater light climate.
• 6 These several independent sources of evidence lead to the conclusion that phytoplankton development in Loch Ness is constrained by light rather than by nutrients. Loch Ness thus appears to provide an exception to the generally accepted paradigm that phytoplankton development in lakes of an oligotrophic character is constrained by nutrient availability.

     

Factors limiting phytoplankton production in a nearshore upwelling area

Phytoplankton productivity was investigated at two nearshoresites in the southern Benguela region during the upwelling season.Changes in biomass and production are discussed in relationto the physical and chemical Status of the water column. Itis suggested that, although light and nutrients affect the productionand biomass of phytoplankton, low phytoplankton biomass in upwellingwater, coupled with the frequency of upwelling, plays a moreimportant role in the overall productivity of the nearshorecoastal zone of upwelling regions where the source water ispoor in chlorophyll a.     

Phytoplankton structure in the White Sea after summer bloom: Spatial variability in relation to hydrophysical conditions

The species composition and phytoplankton biomass, concentrations of chlorophyll “a” (Chl) and nutrients, concurrent hydrophysical conditions were studied in the south part of the White Sea in July 10–15, 2012 during chlorophyll “a” decrease after summer peak. The water column stability varied, the concentration of dissolved silicon in upper mixed layer was closed to the range favorable for diatoms with exception of areas of intensive tide mixing and areas influenced by waters of Severnaya Dvina River. In surface layer the dinoflagellates dominated excepting of areas with intensive tide mixing where diatoms prevailed. Diatoms provided major contribution to biomass in different stations above, in and under pycnocline and in deep waters out of photic zone. Structural analysis has revealed three phytoplankton communities that corresponded to different depths: communities of photic zone, intermediate and deep layers. Extension of layers inhabited by different communities depended on water column stability and on genesis of water masses. Integrated values of phytoplankton biomass and Chl varied from 250 to 1188 mg С/m², and from 22 to 51 mg/m², correspondently.     

Size-dependent changes in phytoplankton C and N uptake in the dynamic mixed layer of Lake Biwa

1. Short-term (days) hydrodynamic effects of wind-induced mixing on phytoplankton size structure, and C and N uptake characteristics, were studied in the surface mixed layer (epilimnion) of Lake Biwa (North Basin), before and during a period of high winds (typhoons). 2. The latter period was characterized by two major typhoon events associated with deepening of the seasonal thermocline, reduced water column stability, decreased underwater irradiance and increased dissolved reactive N and particulate P. 3. Nutrient concentrations, seston C/N ratios, and uptake rates indicated that phytoplankton biomass and production were limited by P and not N throughout the study. Higher C- and N-based productivity during the typhoon period than before reflected the increased phytoplankton biomass and higher specific uptake rates due to increased nutrient supply. 4. Changes in the size-structure of phytoplankton (< 2 and > 2 μm) were associated with variations in the stratification and mixing regime. When vertical stability was high (before the typhoons) concentrations of > 2 μm biomass (chlorophyll a, particulate organic C and N) were higher at the bottom of the mixed layer than at the surface whereas, when stability of the mixed layer was low (the typhoon period), the contribution of picoplankton (< 2 μm) to total Chl a increased at the surface and decreased at the bottom following the first high winds. 5. Photoadaptive adjustments of the phytoplankton provided further evidence of hydrodynamic control. The lower intracellular Chl a concentrations and C and N uptake efficiencies in the < 2 μm fraction suggest that they experienced, on average, higher irradiance than the larger cells because of their lower sinking rates. During the stability period, picoplankton exhibited higher photosynthetic efficiencies at the bottom of the mixed layer than at the surface. Such differences disappeared during the typhoon period indicating that the mixing rate was then probably higher than the photoacclimation rate in the small size fraction. 6. The present results stress the highly transient nature of biological homogeneity in the surface mixed layer of the lake.     

A study of time-dependent primary productivity in a natural upper-ocean mixed layer using a biophysical model

A one-dimensional biophysical model of time-dependent photosynthesisin the upper-ocean mixed layer was applied near 36.5°N,74.5°W. The photosynthesis submodel was formulated and parameterizedbased on daylong, light-manipulation experiments performed ontwo phytoplankton communities collected prior to dawn on October13, 1992: one from 5 m depth in the upper mixed layer and theother from 28 m depth below the pycnocline. Time course biologicalmeasurements included chlorophyll a concentration, primary productivityand DCMU fluorescence ratio. The biophysical model was thenused to predict the physical and biological response of thewater column on October 14, 1992. A pre-dawn conductivity-temperature-depth-fluorescence-transmission-rosette(CTDFT-rosette) cast provided data to initialize the water columnstratification and the distribution of phytoplankton biomass.The biophysical model was forced using meteorological and oceanographicmeasurements collected continuously throughout the subsequentdaylight period. CTDFT-rosette casts and measurements of chlorophylla concentration, primary productivity and DCMU fluorescenceratio throughout that daylight period provided the data forcomparison with the model predictions. In general, the biophysicalmodel predicted the physical and biological evolution of thesampled water column. Although the inclusion of vertical mixinginitially improved the accuracy of prediction, agreement decreasedwith time, especially in the lower part of the water column.The one-dimensional model suffered from the effects of excludedhorizontal gradients.     

Phytoplankton of an eutrophic tropical reservoir: comparison of biomass estimated from counts with chlorophyll-a biomass from HPLC measurements

The seasonal variation of phytoplankton in an eutrophic tropical reservoir was evaluated through photosynthetic pigments analyzed by HPLC. The contributions of algal classes to total chlorophyll a (TChl-a) were estimated by two procedures. The first one used fixed marker pigment/chlorophyll a ratio available from culture studies of the major species of each class. In the second procedure, a matrix factorization program (CHEMTAX) was used to analyze the pigment data. The pigment data were compared with carbon biomass estimated from microscope analysis. A significant correlation between total chlorophyll a (measured by HPLC) and total biomass was obtained, indicating only a slight variation in the content of algal chlorophyll a when compared to its fluctuations in carbon biomass. The interpretation of pigment data with CHEMTAX resulted in a good agreement with biomass. Although displaying some differences, the general pattern of the phytoplankton community dynamics and the major shifts in composition, biomass and the cyanobacterial bloom were evidenced. In contrast, Chl-a biomass estimates from fixed Xan/Chl-a ratios presented poor agreement with microscope data and did not register the principal changes in phytoplankton. Our results also highlighted the needs of better understanding of the relationships between marker pigments, chlorophyll-a and algal biomass.     

Summer dynamics of the deep chlorophyll maximum in Lake Tahoe

Vertical profiles of chlorophyll and phytoplankton biomass weremeasured in Lake Tahoe from July 1976 through April 1977. Adeep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) persisted during summer and earlyautumn (July—October) near 100 m, well below the mixedlayer and at the upper surface of the nitracline. The DCM coincidedwith the phytoplankton biomass maximum as determined from cellcounts. In addition, the composition of the phytoplankton assemblagewas highly differentiated with respect to depth. Cyclotellastelligera was the predominant species in the mixed layer whilethe major species in the DCM layer included C. ocellata andseveral green ultraplanktonic species. In situ cell growth playsa substantial role in maintaining the DCM, but sinking of cellsfrom shallower depths and zooplankton grazing above the DCMmay contribute to the maintenance of the DCM. Calculations supportthe interpretation that the summer DCM persists at the boundarybetween an upper, nutrient-limited phytoplankton assemblageand a deeper, light-limited assemblage.     

Recurrent seascape units identify key ecological processes along the western Antarctic Peninsula

The western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a bellwether of global climate change and natural laboratory for identifying interactions between climate and ecosystems. The Palmer Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) project has collected data on key ecological and environmental processes along the WAP since 1993. To better understand how key ecological parameters are changing across space and time, we developed a novel seascape classification approach based on in situ temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silicate. We anticipate that this approach will be broadly applicable to other geographical areas. Through the application of self‐organizing maps (SOMs), we identified eight recurrent seascape units (SUs) in these data. These SUs have strong fidelity to known regional water masses but with an additional layer of biogeochemical detail, allowing us to identify multiple distinct nutrient profiles in several water masses. To identify the temporal and spatial distribution of these SUs, we mapped them across the Palmer LTER sampling grid via objective mapping of the original parameters. Analysis of the abundance and distribution of SUs since 1993 suggests two year types characterized by the partitioning of chlorophyll a into SUs with different spatial characteristics. By developing generalized linear models for correlated, time‐lagged external drivers, we conclude that early spring sea ice conditions exert a strong influence on the distribution of chlorophyll a and nutrients along the WAP, but not necessarily the total chlorophyll a inventory. Because the distribution and density of phytoplankton biomass can have an impact on biomass transfer to the upper trophic levels, these results highlight anticipated links between the WAP marine ecosystem and climate.     

The Northeast Water polynya,Greenland Sea

The nutrient and phytoplankton distributions in the North East Water polynya (NEW) were determined in June 1991. At Norske Øer Ice Barrier (the polynya's southern boundary), water was upwelled, but vertical instability precluded the development of phytoplankton blooms. Along the length of the northward coastal current, part of the anticyclonic circulation in this area, the vertical stability increased to the north by the input of melt water and solar heating. This caused a gradual increase in phytoplankton biomass and a decrease in nutrient concentrations until, in the northernmost area, nitrate was depleted at the surface, and sub-surface maxima of chlorophyll a were observed. The band of high chlorophyll a concentrations extending from this area to the south along the eastern margin of the polynya was interpreted as the presence of phytoplankton advected by the local circulation. The phytoplankton communities, consisting mainly of flagellates and diatoms, were typical for the beginning of phytoplankton development in ice-covered areas. They seemed to be partially released from melting ice. Three communities were distinguished, which represented, firstly, the upwelled water and its northern extension, secondly, an area of high phytoplankton biomass in the northwestern part of the polynya, and thirdly, the pack-ice region. The major taxa co-occurred at all stations, with only their relative importance changed. The nutrient concentrations in the NEW were different from those in the adjacent areas. The low nitrate values of about 4 M in the upper 70 m, found to be representative for the beginning of the growth season, imposed limitations on the overall phytoplankton production. Therefore, fertilization mechanisms such as upwelling along the Norske Øer Ice Barrier are important for local nutrient replenishment during the period of active phytoplankton growth. Eventually, silicate and phosphate supplied in higher concentrations by jets of the Arctic outflow may also support phytoplankton production, although these nutrients were not limiting during this study. The high-nutrient jets were detected in the upper 100 m of the water column at the eastern boundary of the polynya.     

Chlorophyll content of Plešné Lake phytoplankton cells studied with image analysis

Using image analysis, chlorophyll autofluorescence was measured in single cells of green alga Monoraphidium dybowskii and in filaments of cyanobacteria (Pseudanabaena sp. and Limnothrix sp.) in the vertical profile of small acidified mountain lake Ple?né jezero (Ple?né Lake) from May to November of 2003. Cell chlorophyll autofluorescence was converted to cell chlorophyll content using a conversion factor determined by comparing the total autofluorescence of phytoplankton in a microscope field with spectrophotometrically determined total chlorophyll concentration; the conversion factor did not differ between epilimnion (0.5 m depth) and hypolimnion (9 m depth). Vertical patterns of chlorophyll concentration and of cellular chlorophyll content depended on water column mixing: during the period of stable thermal stratification, a metalimnetic peak in total chlorophyll concentration was present and cellular chlorophyll contents in the metalimnion and hypolimnion were notably elevated compared to the surface. Monotonous vertical profiles of both total chlorophyll concentration and cell chlorophyll content were typical for the period of water column overturn. During the stratification period, hypolimnetic Monoraphidium cell chlorophyll content was on average twice as high (maximum difference 2.7-fold) compared to surface values (of 3.2–12.9 fg µm^?3), while in filamentous cyanobacteria (surface cell chlorophyll content of 2.2–13.3 fg µm^?3), the difference was much higher — six-fold on average, with an 11.6-fold maximum value. The values measured with image analysis in 2003 were compared to unpublished values of total phytoplankton biomass-specific chlorophyll concentrations obtained using manual phytoplankton biomass determination and spectrophotometric chlorophyll measurement in 1998 at the same locality. Good agreement was found in seasonal patterns and vertical profiles of chlorophyll between both seasons.     

Size-fractionated primary production studies in the vicinity of the Subtropical Front and an adjacent warm-core eddy south of Africa in austral winter

Results are presented of size-fractionated primary productionstudies conducted in the vicinity of the Subtropical Front (STF),an adjacent warm-core eddy, and in Sub-antarctic waters duringthe third South African Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Study (SAAMESIII) in austral winter (June/July) 1993. Throughout the investigation,total chlorophyll (Chl a) biomass and production were dominatedby small nano- and picophytoplankton. No distinct patterns intotal Chl a were evident. At stations (n = 7) occupied in thevicinity of the STF, total integrated biomass values rangedfrom 31 to 53 mg Chl a m^–2. In the vicinity of the eddy,integrated biomass at the eddy edge (n = 3) ranged from 24 to54 mg Chl a m^–2 and from 32 to 43 mg Chl a m^–2 inthe eddy (n = 2). At the station occupied in the Sub-antarcticwaters, total integrated biomass was 43 mg Chl a m^–2.Total daily integrated production was highest at stations occupiedin the vicinity of the STF and at the eddy edge. Here, totalintegrated production ranged from 150 to 423 mg C m^–2day^–1 and from 244 to 326mg C m^–2 day^–1, respectively.In the eddy centre, total integrated production varied between134 and 156 mg C m^–2 day^–1. At the station occupiedin the Sub-antarctic waters, the lowest integrated production(141 mg C m^–2 day^–1) during the entire survey wasrecorded. Availability of macronutrients did not appear to limittotal production. However, the low silicate concentrations duringthe survey may account for the predominance of small nano- andpicophytoplankton. Differences in production rates between theeddy edge and eddy core were related to water column stability.In contrast, at stations occupied in the vicinity of the STF,the control of phytoplankton production appears to be relatedto several processes, including water column stability and,possibly, iron availability.     

The soluble fluorescence in the open sea: Distribution and ecological significance in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

The red fluorescence of filtered sea water has been measured on 216 samples in the 0–150 m layer of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean.Soluble fluorescence is maximum where chlorophyll a and in vivo fluorescence are maximum, but the percentage of soluble fluorescence, (soluble fluorescence/in vivo fluorescence) × 100, is minimum at these levels; in recently upwelled waters of the equatorial divergence, the percentage of soluble fluorescence is equal to 10 in the 0–20 m layer and regularly increases to 60 or more at 100–150 m; in the nitrate depleted mixed layer of a convergence it averages 30, decreases to 15 in the thermocline maximum of chlorophyll a, and again reaches 60 in deep waters.A significant positive correlation has been found between the percentage of soluble fluorescence and the amount of phaeophytin, and soluble fluorescence in the open sea is thought to be the result of the degradation and release of chloroplastic products by aged or grazed phytoplankton populations. Low values (< 20) of the percentage soluble fluorescence indicate the presence of healthy phytoplankton cells, whereas high values (> 30) are evidence of unfavourable growth conditions (e.g., limiting nutrients or darkness) or high grazing pressure.The simultaneous measurement of in vivo fluorescence and soluble fluorescence is a method of obtaining valuable information rapidly on the physiological state of the phytoplankton population in the water column.     

Phytoplankton productivity and its response to higher light levels in the Canada Basin

Phytoplankton productivity in the Canada Basin was measured in the late summer season, from mid-September to mid-October 2009, using a ¹³C–¹⁵N dual tracer technique. To understand potential production changes associated with sea ice melting in the Arctic Ocean, we examined the effects of light enhancement and nitrate enrichment on the carbon productivity of phytoplankton from the chlorophyll a maximum layer. The daily carbon productivity in the Canada Basin in 2009 was very low, with a mean of 4.1 mg C m⁻² (SD = 3.6 mg C m⁻²), compared with those reported in previous studies in the region. Among several explanations, the most plausible reason for the large difference in carbon productivity between this and the previous studies was strong seasonal variation in biomass and photosynthetic rate of the phytoplankton in the study region. Based on our results from light enhancement and nitrate enrichment experiments, we found that carbon productivity of phytoplankton in the chlorophyll a maximum layer could be stimulated by increased light condition rather than nitrate addition. Thus, potentially increasing light availability from current and ongoing decreases in the sea ice cover could increase the carbon production of the phytoplankton in the chlorophyll a maximum layer and produce a well-developed maximum layer at a deeper depth in the Canada Basin.     

Drivers of phytoplankton diversity in Lake Tanganyika

In keeping with the theme of this volume, the present article commemorates the 50 years of Hutchinson’s (Am Nat 93:145–159, 1959) famous publication on the ‘very general question of animal diversity’, which obviously leads to the more important question regarding the driving forces of biodiversity and their limitation in various habitats. The study of phytoplankton in large lakes is a challenging task which requires the use of a wide variety of techniques to capture the range of spatial and temporal variations. The analysis of marker pigments may provide an adequate tool for phytoplankton surveys in large water bodies, thanks to automated analysis for processing numerous individual samples, and by achieving sufficient taxonomic resolution for ecological studies. Chlorophylls and carotenoids were analysed by HPLC in water column samples of Lake Tanganyika from 2002 through 2006, at two study sites, off Kigoma (north basin) and off Mpulungu (south basin). Using the CHEMTAX software for calculating contributions of the main algal groups to chlorophyll a, variations of phytoplankton composition and biomass were determined. We also investigated selected samples according to standard taxonomic techniques for elucidating the dominant species composition. Most of the phytoplankton biomass was located in the 0–40 m layer, with maxima at 0 or 20 m, and more rarely at 40 m. Deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) and surface ‘blooms’ were occasionally observed. The phytoplankton assemblage was essentially dominated by chlorophytes and cyanobacteria, with diatoms developing mainly in the dry season. The dominant cyanobacteria were very small unicells (mostly Synechococcus), which were much more abundant in the southern basin, whereas green algae dominated on average at the northern site. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) including the main limnological variables, dissolved nutrients and zooplankton abundance was run to explore environment–phytoplankton relations. The CCA points to physical factors, site and season as key determinants of the phytoplankton assemblage, but also indicates a significant role, depending on the studied site, of calanoid copepods and of nauplii stages. Our data suggest that the factors allowing coexistence of several phytoplankton taxa in the pelagic zone of Lake Tanganyika are likely differential vertical distribution in the water column, which allows spatial partitioning of light and nutrients, and temporal variability (occurring at time scales preventing long-term dominance by a single taxon), along with effects of predation by grazers.