Size-fractionated phytoplankton carboxylase activities in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean

During the ANTARES 3 cruise in the Indian sector of the SouthernOcean in October–November 1995, the surface waters ofKerguelen Islands plume, and the surface and deeper waters (30–60m) along a transect on 62°E from 48°36'S to the iceedge (58°50'S), were sampled. The phytoplankton communitywas size-fractionated (2 µm) and cell numbers, chlorophyllbiomass and carbon assimilation, through Rubisco and ß-carboxylaseactivities, were characterized. The highest contribution of<2 µm cells to total biomass and total Rubisco activitywas reported in the waters of the Permanent Open Ocean Zone(POOZ) located between 52°S and 55°S along 62°E.In this zone, the picophytoplankton contributed from 26 to 50%of the total chlorophyll (a + b + c) with an average of 0.09± 0.02 µg Chl l^–1 for <2 µm cells.Picophytoplankton also contributed 36 to 64% of the total Rubiscoactivity, with an average of 0.80 ± 0.30 mg C mg Chla^–1 h^–1 for <2 µm cells. The picophytoplanktoncells had a higher ß-carboxylase activity than largercells >2 µm. The mixotrophic capacity of these smallcells is proposed. From sampling stations of the Kerguelen plume,a relationship was observed between the Rubisco activity perpicophytoplankton cell and apparent cell size, which variedwith the sampled water masses. Moreover, a depth-dependent photoperiodicityof Rubisco activity per cell for <2 µm phytoplanktonwas observed during the day/night cycle in the POOZ. In thenear ice zone, a physiological change in picophytoplankton cellsfavouring phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activitywas reported. A species succession, or an adaptation to unfavourableenvironmental conditions such as low temperature and/or availableirradiance levels, may have provoked this change. The high contributionof picophytoplankton to the total biomass, and its high CO₂fixation capacity via autotrophy and mixotrophy, emphasize thestrong regeneration of organic materials in the euphotic layerin the Southern Ocean.     

Seasonal and Geographic Variation of Southern Blue Whale Subspecies in the Indian Ocean

Understanding the seasonal movements and distribution patterns of migratory species over ocean basin scales is vital for appropriate conservation and management measures. However, assessing populations over remote regions is challenging, particularly if they are rare. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus spp) are an endangered species found in the Southern and Indian Oceans. Here two recognized subspecies of blue whales and, based on passive acoustic monitoring, four “acoustic populations” occur. Three of these are pygmy blue whale (B.m. brevicauda) populations while the fourth is the Antarctic blue whale (B.m. intermedia). Past whaling catches have dramatically reduced their numbers but recent acoustic recordings show that these oceans are still important habitat for blue whales. Presently little is known about the seasonal movements and degree of overlap of these four populations, particularly in the central Indian Ocean. We examined the geographic and seasonal occurrence of different blue whale acoustic populations using one year of passive acoustic recording from three sites located at different latitudes in the Indian Ocean. The vocalizations of the different blue whale subspecies and acoustic populations were recorded seasonally in different regions. For some call types and locations, there was spatial and temporal overlap, particularly between Antarctic and different pygmy blue whale acoustic populations. Except on the southernmost hydrophone, all three pygmy blue whale acoustic populations were found at different sites or during different seasons, which further suggests that these populations are generally geographically distinct. This unusual blue whale diversity in sub-Antarctic and sub-tropical waters indicates the importance of the area for blue whales in these former whaling grounds.     

Temporal and spatial variation of the phytoplankton assemblage in the eastern Indian sector of the Southern Ocean in summer 2001/2002

The abundance and species composition of phytoplankton were investigated at stations in a permanently ice-free (61°S) and seasonally ice-covered area (64°S and 66°30′S) in the eastern Indian sector of the Southern Ocean between November 2001 and March 2002. Although a phytoplankton bloom occurred just after retreat of the sea ice at both stations in the seasonally ice-covered area, vertical stability of the water column during the bloom was weak at the most southerly station. This shows that a bloom can form even under weak vertical stability. In the bloom, diatoms dominated under weak vertical stability and Phaeocystis under strong vertical stability. In the latter case, ice algae largely contributed to development of the bloom. In the later observation period, a subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) was observed at 61°S and 64°S. Species composition was different between the mixed layer and SCM at 64°S, but was uniform with depth at 61°S, indicating that the SCM is formed by different mechanisms.     

Photoprotective acclimation of micro- and nano-size phytoplankton assemblages in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean

Phytoplankton in the mixed layer is exposed to increasing levels of light when transported to the surface layer of the ocean. The photoprotective response of natural assemblages of phytoplankton can differ among community structures. We investigated photoprotective acclimation and xanthophyll cycle pigments in size-fractionated natural phytoplankton assemblages during the austral summer in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. We estimated concentrations of phytoplankton pigments in the micro-size fractions (>20 μm) and nano-size fractions (2–20 μm) by subtracting concentrations in the <20 μm fractions from concentrations in the bulk samples, and by subtracting concentrations in the <2 μm fractions from concentrations in the <20 μm fractions, respectively. Changes in the ratios of the xanthophyll cycle pigments diadinoxanthin (DD) and diatoxanthin (DT) were determined at three optical depths in the mixed layer and during 48 h deck incubations under solar photosynthetically available radiation and ultraviolet radiation. Large variations in (DD + DT)/Chl a in the mixed layer (percent coefficient of variation >67 %) and in deck incubation bottles under variable light conditions (>75 % of the temporal variation) for the micro-size fractions suggest a higher potential for photoprotective acclimation than for the nano-size fractions. Decreases in DT/(DD + DT) with increases in the optical depth of the mixed layer (ζ _MLD) suggest that larger variations in light availability in the mixed layer might predict lower values of DT/(DD + DT) at the surface, regardless of cell size.     

Ecological structure of a pelagic seabird community in the Southern Ocean

Summary The pelagic avifauna (excluding penguins) of the African sector (30°S–70°S, 20°W–40°E) of the Southern Ocean is described quantitatively, based on 3,005 10-min observation of seabirds during seven oceanic cruises in April 1979 – April 1980. The avifauna is characterized according to species richness, diversity, abundance and biomass. These indices are correlated with groups of birds ordered into principal diet and feeding-method classes. Birds eating either plankton, cephalopods or a mixed diet accounted for 51, 23 and 22% of the total avifaunal abundance and 22, 49 and 25% of the total biomass, respectively. Piscivores were represented poorly. Planktivores were especially abundant south of the Antarctic Convergence and, to a lesser extent, at the sub-Tropical Convergence. Cephalopod-eaters were most abundant north of the sub-Tropical Convergence. The greatest abundance of omnivores occurred where planktivores and cephalopod-eaters were least abundant. The distribution of the planktivores and cephalopodeaters is related tentatively to the availability of the birds' principal prey.     

Mesozooplankton community structure in the Southern Ocean upstream of the Prince Edward Islands

A meso-scale oceanographic grid survey was conducted during the first cruise of the Marion Offshore Ecosystem Variability Study in the upstream region of the Prince Edward Islands in austral autumn (April/May) 2001. Mesozooplankton samples, collected using a Bongo net (fitted with 200-µm and 300-µm mesh nets), were separated into three size fractions, 200-500 µm, 500-1,000 µm, 1,000-2,000 µm, by reverse filtration. Total surface (depth<5 m) chlorophyll-a concentration during the study ranged between 0.11 and 0.34 µg l^-1 and was always dominated by picophytoplankton (0.45-2.0 µm). Total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass during the survey ranged between 49 and 1,512 ind. m^-3 and between 0.7 and 25 mg Dwt. m^-3, respectively. Throughout the survey, the 200 to 500 µm class numerically dominated the mesozooplankton community, with an average of ~69% (SD=ᆠ.3%). The dominant species in the 200- to 500-µm size fraction were the copepods, Oithona similis, Calanus simillimus and Metridia lucens, and the pteropod, Limacina retroversa. However, in terms of biomass, the 1,000- to 2,000-µm group was predominant, with dry weight values constituting an average of ~66% (SD=ᆞ.2%). The most well-represented species in this group were the carnivorous Euphausia vallentini, Thysanoessa vicina, Sagitta gazellae and Eukrohnia hamata. Three distinct groupings of stations were identified by numerical analysis. The different station groupings identified reflect changes in the relative contributions of the dominant species, as opposed to the presence/absence of species.     

浙江紧水滩水库浮游植物群落结构季节变化特征

于2010年1、3、5、7、9、11月6次对紧水滩水库采样调查,并对浮游植物种类鉴定与数量统计,分析了浮游植物的优势种、多样性和群落结构季节变化特征.其结果为:共鉴定浮游植物284种,隶属7门105属.绿藻门最多,共51属139种,其次是硅藻门19属67种,蓝藻门22属52种,金藻门4属9种,甲藻门5属8种,裸藻门2属5种,隐藻门2属4种.浮游植物细胞丰度在1.04× 105-3.70×106个/L之间,平均丰度9.63×105个/L.多样性指数H'值为1.76-4.64,平均值3.09,丰富度指数D为0.48-2.80,平均值1.62,均匀度指数.J为0.51-1.26,平均值0.91.根据TSI(∑)并结合浮游植物群落结构对水质评价,紧水滩水库水质属于中-富营养状态.     

Spring phytoplankton assemblages in the Southern Ocean between Australia and Antarctica

Variations of phytoplankton assemblages were studied in November–December 2001, in surface waters of the Southern Ocean along a transect between the Sub-Antarctic Zone (SAZ) and the Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ; 46.9°–64.9°S; 142°–143°E; CLIVAR-SR3 cruise). Two regions had characteristic but different phytoplankton assemblages. Nanoflagellates(<20 μm) and pico-plankton (∼2 μm) occurred in similar concentrations along the transect, but were dominant in the SAZ, Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF), Polar Front Zone (PFZ) and the Inter-Polar Front Zone (IPFZ), (46.9°–56.9°S). Along the entire transect their average cell numbers in the upper 70 m of water column, varied from 3 × 10⁵ to 1.1 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹. Larger cells (>20 μm), diatoms and dinoflagellates, were more abundant in the Antarctic Zone-South (AZ-S) and the SIZ, (60.9°–64.9°S). In AZ-S and SIZ diatoms ranged between 2.7 × 10⁵ and 1.2 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹, dinoflagellates from 3.1 × 10⁴ to 1.02 × 10⁵ cells l⁻¹. A diatom bloom was in progress in the AZ-S showing a peak of 1.8 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹. Diatoms were dominated by Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Fragilariopsis spp., and Chaetoceros spp. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. outnumbered other diatoms in the AZ-S. Fragilaropsis spp. were most numerous in the SIZ. Dinoflagellates contained autotrophs (e.g. Prorocentrum) and heterotrophs (Gyrodinium/Gymnodinium, Protoperidinium). Diatoms and dinoflagellates contributed most to the cellular carbon: 11–25 and 17–124 μg C l⁻¹, respectively. Small cells dominated in the northern region characterized by the lowest N-uptake and new production of the transect. Larger diatom cells were prevalent in the southern area with higher values of N-uptake and new production. Diatom and nanoflagellate cellular carbon contents were highly correlated with one another, with primary production, and productivity related parameters. They contributed up to 75% to the total autotrophic C biomass. Diatom carbon content was significantly correlated to nitrate uptake and particle export, but not to ammonium uptake, while flagellate carbon was well correlated to ammonium uptake, but not to export. Diatoms have contributed highly to particle export along the latitudinal transect, while flagellates played a minor role in the export.     

Mesoscale oceanographic meanders influence protist community function and structure in the southern Indian Ocean

The interface between the nutrient-rich Southern Ocean and oligotrophic Indian Ocean creates unique environmental conditions that can strongly influence biological processes. We investigated protist communities across a mesoscale meander of the Subtropical Front within the Southern Indian Ocean. 18S V9 rDNA metabarcoding suggests a diverse protist community in which the dinoflagellates and parasitic Syndiniales were abundant. Diversity was highest in frontal waters of the mesoscale meander, with differences in community structure inside and outside the meander. While the overall community was dominated by mixotrophic taxa, the frontal boundary of the meander had increased abundances of heterotrophic taxa, with potential implications for net atmospheric CO₂ drawdown. Pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorimetry revealed significant differences in the photophysiology of phytoplankton communities inside and outside the meander. By using single-cell PAM microscopy, we identified physiological differences between dinoflagellate and coccolithophore taxa, which may have contributed to changes in photophysiology observed at community level. Overall, our results demonstrate that frontal areas have a strong impact on the composition of protist communities in the Southern Ocean with important implications for understanding biological processes in this region.     

The structure of the phytoplankton community in the subsurface chlorophyll maxima in the western North Pacific Ocean

The phytoplankton taxonomic composition of the subsurface chlorophyllmaximum layer (SCM) was compared with that of the surface layerin July, September and November 1979 in the western North PacificOcean. Besides the use of chemical fixatives for preservablephytoplankton, serial dilution culture method was employed fornon-preservable flagellates and monads, i.e., fragile forms.The SCM was characterized by a high species diversity of preservablephytoplankton and by the numerical dominance of fragile forms.Among the fragile forms, Micromonas and Ochromonas were dominant.This dominance is consistent with their viability at low lightintensity. Cluster analysis revealed that, for blue-green algae,coccolithophorids, silicoflagellates and diatoms, a marked differenceexisted in species assemblages between the SCM and the surfacebut there was no distinct difference in dinoflagellate assemblages.The difference between both layers is discussed, as relatedto the mechanisms of formation of the SCM. ¹Present address: Nodai Research Institute, Tokyo Universityof Agriculture, 1-1-1, Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156,Japan.     

Seasonal variation of phytoplankton community in Thale Sap Songkhla, a lagoonal lake in southern Thailand

The phytoplankton in Thale Sap Songkhla was investigated at 2–3 month intervals from August 1991 to October 1993. The abundance of phytoplankton ranged from 1.4×10⁶ to 1.3×10⁹ cells m^–3. A total of 6 divisions with 103 genera were identified as Bacillariophyta: 49 genera, Chlorophyta: 21 genera, Pyrrhophyta: 15 genera, Cyanophyta: 12 genera, Chrysophyta: 3 genera and Euglenophyta: 3 genera. Although phytoplankton abundance was distinctly greater in the first year of study (August 1991–June 1992) than in the second year (August 1992–October 1993), their patterns are similar: 2 peaks yearly. The peaks of phytoplankton occurred in the heavy rainy season (northeast monsoon) and the light rainy season (southwest monsoon). The main bloom was found during December–January, with a predominance of blue-green algae (e.g. Aphanizomenon andPhormidium) and green algae (e.g. Eudorina). Their species composition also increased, an effect of the large amount of rainfall resulting in low salinity during the northeast monsoon. The minor bloom was produced by diatoms during June–July when water salinity was moderate to seawater. Both phytoplankton numbers and species composition were high. However, unpredictably heavy rainfall during the southwest monsoon period may reduce diatom production due to rapid immediate replacement by blue-green species. Besides salinity concentration, a low total nitrogen: total phosphorus (TN: TP) ratio tended to support the growth of blue-green algae. The diversity of phytoplankton was lowest in the heavy rainy period.     

长江口及邻近海域浮游动物群落结构及季节变化

根据2006—2007年长江口及其邻近海域(29°30'N—32°30'N,120°00'E—127°30'E)150个站位4个季节的调查资料,对长江口海域浮游动物群落结构、种类组成、优势种及其季节变化进行研究。结果表明,长江口及其邻近海域浮游动物群落物种多样性丰富,四季共鉴定浮游动物460种,隶属7个门,246属,此外,另有54类浮游幼体。其中,桡足类是最优势类群,有193种,占41.96%;端足类为第二优势类群,有51种,占11.09%;水螅水母为第三优势类群,有34种,占7.39%。长江口及其邻近海域浮游动物的物种多样性呈现明显季节变化,其特征为:夏季(317种)秋季(309种)春季(230种)冬季(138种)。中华哲水蚤和百陶带箭虫为长江口及其邻近海域的四季优势种。长江口及其邻近海域浮游动物大体可划分为5种生态类群:近岸低盐类群、广温广盐类群、低温高盐类群、高温广盐类群和高温高盐类群。结合同步调查的水文和水化学数据,进行浮游动物群落丰度与环境因子的相关分析表明:盐度是影响长江口及其邻近海域的浮游动物群落丰度的主要环境因子。     

浙南大罗山天河水库浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及对水质的指示作用

为了探究浙南地区山区水库浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及水质状况,于2019年2月-2020年1月对位于温州大罗山天河水库的浮游植物群落结构和水体理化因子进行了调查分析.结果 表明:天河水库浮游植物隶属于7门60属89种,全年浮游植物平均丰度为2.02×105 cells·L-1,年均生物量为0.26 mg·L-1.硅藻门...     

Competition and community structure in diurnal arboreal geckos (genus Phelsuma) in the Indian Ocean

In this study, we investigate community structure in day geckos (genus Phelsuma ) in the Indian Ocean. Much of what we know about communities of diurnal arboreal lizards comes from studies of Caribbean Anolis . Phelsuma in the Indian Ocean are ecologically similar to Anolis but not closely related. Using field observations and an experiment, we test three hypotheses for Phelsuma communities, all derived from work on Anolis : (1) Phelsuma species richness will be correlated with the diversity of available perches, (2) sympatric species will partition their habitat use, shifting their habitat use depending on which other species of Phelsuma are present, and (3) experimentally removing individuals of one species will lead to changes in the microhabitat use and/or abundance of sympatric congeners. We find support for all three hypotheses. We also describe some unique aspects of Phelsuma communities, such as partitioning of palm vs. non-palm trees. This study identifies some potentially general features of diurnal arboreal lizard communities, and suggests that some aspects of community assembly might be repeatable.     

草藻型稳态转换对湖泊微生物结构及其碳循环功能的影响

湖泊是地球表层系统中水、土、气等各个圈层相互作用的联结点,对区域物质如碳等元素循环具有重要影响.微生物是湖泊等水生态系统中的重要组成部分,是湖泊等生态系统中碳等元素物质循环的主要驱动者,是深入了解湖泊碳循环过程的关键.受人类活动等影响,湖泊生态系统,尤其是浅水湖泊生态系统往往表现出以高等水生植物(草型)为主要初级生产者的清水稳定态和以浮游藻类(藻型)为主要初级生产者的浊水稳定态,而随着湖泊营养负荷和湖泊环境条件的变化,这两个不同的稳定态之间可以发生转换或者剧变,这种剧变不仅影响湖泊生态系统中的微生物结构,而且对湖泊中有机碳的形成、循环过程及其微生物驱动机制产生重大影响.本文重点就湖泊生态系统中有机碳的转换与微生物关系以及草藻型稳定态的转换对微生物结构及其碳循环功能的影响等进行综述,进一步分析其中的关键科学问题,以期为深入了解湖泊生态系统中碳等元素循环的微生物驱动过程与机制提供帮助.     

Seasonal variation in nitrogen uptake and turnover in two high-elevation soils: mineralization responses are site-dependent

In arctic and alpine ecosystems, soil nitrogen (N) dynamics can differ markedly between winter and summer months, and nitrogen losses can be measurable during the spring and fall transitions. To explore the effect of seasonality on biogeochemical processes in a temperate alpine environment, we used a combination of field incubations (year-round) and ¹⁵N tracer additions (late fall, early spring, summer) to characterize soil N dynamics in a wet and dry meadow in the Sierra Nevada, California. The snowmelt to early summer season marked a period of high ¹⁵N uptake and turnover in the two soils, coincident with the increase in microbial N pools at the start of snowmelt (wet and dry meadow); an increase in net N mineralization and net nitrification as snowmelt progressed (wet meadow only); and measureable net production of ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ in mid-summer (wet and dry meadow). Whereas fluctuations in microbial biomass were generally synchronous between the wet and dry meadow soils, only wet meadow soils appeared to mineralize N in response to declines in the microbial N pool. Net N mineralization and net nitrification rates in the dry meadow soil were negligible on all but one sampling date, in spite of periodic decreases in biomass of up to 60%. Across both sites, high ¹⁵N recoveries in microbial biomass N, rapid ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ turnover, and low or negative net ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ fluxes suggested tight cycling of N, particularly in the late fall and early spring.     

Seasonal variation in effects of urea and phosphorus on phytoplankton abundance and community composition in a hypereutrophic hardwater lake

1. Urea accounts for half of global agricultural fertiliser applications, yet little is known of its role in eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, nor how it interacts with phosphorus (P) in regulating phytoplankton composition, especially during spring and autumn.
2. To identify when and how urea and P inputs interact across the ice-free period, we conducted seven monthly fertilisation experiments in 3,240-L mesocosms from ice-off to ice-formation in a hypereutrophic lake. In addition, we ran bioassays with ammonium (NH₄⁺) to compare the effects of urea with those of NH₄⁺, the immediate product of chemical decomposition of urea.
3. Analysis of water-column chlorophyll a and biomarker pigments by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that addition of inorganic P alone (100 µg P L^–1 week^–1) had no significant impact on either algal abundance or community composition in hypereutrophic Wascana Lake. Instead, fertilisation with urea (4 mg N L⁻¹ week^–1) alone, or in concert with P, significantly (p < 0.05) increased algal abundance in spring and much of summer, but not prior to ice formation in October. In particular, urea amendment enhanced abundance of cryptophytes, chlorophytes, and non-diazotrophic cyanobacteria during April and May, while fertilisation in summer and early autumn (September) increased only chlorophytes and non-diazotrophic cyanobacteria.
4. Comparison of urea mesocosms with NH₄⁺ bioassays demonstrated that urea lacked the inherent toxicity of NH₄⁺ in cool waters, but that both compounds stimulated production during summer experiments.
5. This study showed that urea pollution can degrade water quality in P-rich lakes across a variety of seasonal conditions, including spring, and underscores the importance of quantifying the timing and form of N inputs when managing P-rich freshwaters.

     

Viral lysis modifies seasonal phytoplankton dynamics and carbon flow in the Southern Ocean

Phytoplankton form the base of marine food webs and are a primary means for carbon export in the Southern Ocean, a key area for global pCO₂ drawdown. Viral lysis and grazing have very different effects on microbial community dynamics and carbon export, yet, very little is known about the relative magnitude and ecological impact of viral lysis on natural phytoplankton communities, especially in Antarctic waters. Here, we report on the temporal dynamics and relative importance of viral lysis rates, in comparison to grazing, for Antarctic nano- and pico-sized phytoplankton of varied taxonomy and size over a full productive season. Our results show that viral lysis was a major loss factor throughout the season, responsible for roughly half (58%) of seasonal phytoplankton carbon losses. Viral lysis appeared critically important for explaining temporal dynamics and for obtaining a complete seasonal mass balance of Antarctic phytoplankton. Group-specific responses indicated a negative correlation between grazing and viral losses in Phaeocystis and picoeukaryotes, while for other phytoplankton groups losses were more evenly spread throughout the season. Cryptophyte mortality was dominated by viral lysis, whereas small diatoms were mostly grazed. Larger diatoms dominated algal carbon flow and a single ‘lysis event’ directed >100% of daily carbon production away from higher trophic levels. This study highlights the need to consider viral lysis of key Antarctic phytoplankton for a better understanding of microbial community interactions and more accurate predictions of organic matter flux in this climate-sensitive region.Subject terms: Microbial ecology, Virus-host interactions     

Some new and little known phytoplankton forms from the West Indian Ocean

New records of Pterosperma spp., Pachysphaera spp. and Meringosphaera spp. are made from light microscope studies of cleared millipore filter disc samples from the West Indian Ocean. One new species and one new form of the genus Pterosperma are described from these samples. An occurrence of the newly described species, Pterosperma parvareopunctatum, is also recorded from the gut contents of an ostracod from a deep haul in the East Atlantic Ocean.