Photosynthetic Efficiency in Lawson's Bay on the East Coast of India

Seasonal variations in the efficiency of utilization of radiant energy by phytoplankton photosynthesis in a tropical embayment followed the same pattern as that of primary production. showing that incident radiation did not limit phytoplankton production. Peak values in primary production and photosynthetic efficiency coincided with periods of nutrient enrichment caused either by upwelling during the southwest monsoon or by run-off during the northeast, monsoon. A world-wide comparison of published data on photosynthetic efficiencies in different latitudes showed that higher efficiency is achieved in the tropics, where the values are similar to those observed on phytoplankton cultures. Based on the maximum efficiency of photosynthesis attained, three regimes can be recognized in tropical waters: 1) regions of upwelling with a maximum of 6%,. 2) coastal bays with 0.7%, 3) oceanic regions with 0.24%.     

An Examination of Cell Volume in Dominant Phytoplankton Species of the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea

The phytoplankton biomass expressed as total cell volume is often of doubtful value due to cell size and volume variations in the organisms present. Cell volume calculations for 95 phytoplankton species and volume-frequency diagrams for 25 dominant species were analyzed for the Adriatic Sea. Recommendations for more precise work dealing with phytoplankton cell volume and biomass are given. Temporal variations in the average microplankton cell volume are presented and discussed.     

Phytoplankton population density and volume as indicators of eutrophication in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea

Population density and volume-biomass of microplankton, nanoplankton and total phytoplankton were analyzed at 14 stations along the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. Based upon data frequency distribution, four categories of ecosystems were established in the investigated area. Criteria for ecosystem categorization and biological evaluation of eutrophication are proposed.     

Yearly variation in primary productivity of marine phytoplankton from Cabo Frio (RJ,Brazil) region

Light saturation curves of natural assemblages of phytoplankton at 4 stations in Cabo Frio coastal waters were examined and related to changes in environmental conditions, based on 263 experiments carried out weekly during two years. No differences in specific productivity at saturating light (Pm ^B ) between stations were detected. Global mean value of Pm ^B was 4.7 mgC mgChla ^–1 h^–1 with a range from 0.50 to 15.29. Significant seasonal variations were not observed. Correlation and regression analysis attributed most of Pm ^B variation to temperature, salinity, nutrients and the phaeopigment: chlorophyll-a ratio.     

Some characteristics of the community of autotrophs of Lake Sevan in connection with its eutrophication

Eutrophication of Lake Sevan caused by the artificial lowering of water level was accompanied by changes in the structure and dynamics of the planktonic communities. A dominance of diatoms up to 1983 was changed to that of green algae in the last years. Primary production of plankton rose and then decreased in the process of eutrophication. The annual average primary production in 1982–1986 — 250 g C m^–2 yr^–1 — is evidently close to the steady state production under the present morphometry of the lake. The activity coefficient of phytoplanktonic photosynthesis changed within relatively narrow limits, in spite of significant changes in the concentrations of major nutrients and in the structure and productivity of the phytoplankton.     

Phytoplankton and zooplankton as indicators of water quality in Discovery Bay,Jamaica

Several investigations exist which use planktonic communities as indicators of water quality in Jamaican and Caribbean Bays, however, few are conducted before there are obvious effects of eutrophication. Therefore, most of our ‘baseline’ data are for bays already severely affected by pollution. This study was conducted to assess water quality in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, before there were severe signs of eutrophication. The bay was monitored over a 12-month period (October 1995–September 1996) using 10 stations. Physicochemical data indicated a well mixed upper 5 m of water column, below which discontinuities in temperature/salinity profiles indicated the influence of colder, more saline waters associated with deep offshore currents. Physicochemical variables were within the range for oligotrophic systems with a tendency towards mesotrophic in localized areas close to the shoreline. Signs of anthropogenic stress were associated with the eastern, southwestern and western sections of the bay. Of the over 120 species of phytoplankton found in the waters of Discovery Bay, most were neritic/oceanic and diatoms dominated while 11 were found to be potentially harmful species. While these harmful species occurred at all stations they occurred most frequently at stations on the eastern side of the bay. About 107 zooplankton species were identified, 52 of which were copepods. The species also represented a mix of neritic and oceanic taxa and mean abundances for the area ranged from 1077 m⁻³ at the mouth of the bay to 3794 m⁻³ close to the south shore (station 6). Generally stations closest to shore had greater zooplankton abundances than centrally located bay stations and stations close to oceanic influence. Acartia tonsa and Lucifer faxoni showed greatest densities at shoreline areas of the bay while Oithona plumifera, Undinula vulgaris and Temora stylifera were important at stations closest to oceanic influences. These species were thus considered as indicators of these different areas within the bay. From physicochemical data and the planktonic assemblage, Discovery Bay cannot be considered polluted, it is still more accurately classified as generally pristine with mesotrophic zones in the eastern and southeastern sections of the bay. These data therefore provide a real baseline of conditions for similar tropical coastal embayments.     

广东省典型水库浮游植物群落特征与富营养化研究

研究了广东省19座主要水库2000年丰水期和枯水期浮游植物状况,并根据浮游植物群落结构和多样性指数对水库进行营养状况评价。结果表明,东江流域的新丰江和白盘珠水库水质良好,属于贫营养型水库;大部分水库为中营养型,而鹤地、契爷石和石岩这3座位于沿海经济发达地区水库属于富营养型。流域上游水库水质明显优于下游水库,山区水库水质优于沿海水库,东江流域水库水质普遍较好。北江流域次之,而粤西沿海和珠江三角洲地区各水库均受到不同程度的污染。     

Biogenic silica and phosphorus accumulation in sediments as indices of eutrophication in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Biogenic silica (BSi), total phosphorus (TP), and biologically available phosphorus (AVP) were measured in short cores from Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Peaks in BSi concentration and peaks in BSi:TP or BSi:AVP ratios provided stratigraphic signals of water column silica (Si) depletion as a response of increased diatom production to P enrichment and decreased diatom production resulting from silica depletion. By contrast the stratigraphic record of P accumulation provided very weak signals of the historical nutrient enrichment in the water column. These results indicate that system P recycling has a higher rate constant than Si recycling and, as a consequence, that relatively small levels of P enrichment can increase diatom production and sedimentation eventually causing Si depletion and Si-limited diatom production in the water mass.     

Biomass, protein- and carbohydrate-composition of phytoplankton in Varna Bay, Black Sea

It was shown that phytoplankton from the Varna Bay, Black Sea, has significantly more suspended carbohydrates, proteins and biomass in July than in April. The dominant species were Bacillariophyceae and Dinophyceae. Electrophoretic and fluorescent spectra have shown the main differences in molecular weight and stability of phytoplankton proteins. Phytoplankton included specific proteins distributed over a limited range of molecular weights between 14 and 72 kilodaltons (kDa). The most abundant protein constituents in phytoplankton samples collected in April were around 45–55 kDa. The seasonal variations of the environment influence the quantitative and qualitative changes in phytoplankton.     

The planktonic food web structure of a temperate zone estuary,and its alteration due to eutrophication

Hydrobiologia - Current conventional wisdom argues that human-induced excesses in nutrient loadings to estuaries often stimulate ‘excess’ algal production leading to hypoxia, via...     

Response of bacteria and phytoplankton to contaminated sediments from Trenton Channel,Detroit River

Several types of bioassays were used in 1986 and 1987 to investigate the effect of contaminated sediments on natural populations of bacteria and phytoplankton from the Trenton Channel, Detroit River. The approach included the measurement of uptake of ³H-glucose or ³H-adenine by bacteria and ¹⁴C-bicarbonate by phytoplankton in the presence of different amounts of Trenton Channel and Lake Michigan (control) sediments. Trenton Channel sediments are contaminated by high levels of toxic organic compounds and metals, especially zinc, lead, and copper. Because levels of biomass of bacteria and phytoplankton varied widely among the different bioassays, it was necessary to adjust uptake rates for biomass. Biomass adjustments were made using acridine orange counts for bacteria and chlorophyll measurements for phytoplankton. The results show a statistically significant suppression of uptake of substrates for both bacteria and phytoplankton with increasing amounts of sediment. Uptake was suppressed as much as 90 percent for bacteria and 93 percent for phytoplankton at 1200 mg l^-1 of Trenton Channel sediments compared to bioassays without sediment. Uncontaminated Lake Michigan sediment suppressed uptake much less than Detroit River sediment; the difference in suppression of uptake between the two types of sediment was statistically significant for both bacteria and phytoplankton.Contribution No. 518 of the Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences of the University of Michigan.     

A fish kill of massive proportion in Kuwait Bay, Arabian Gulf, 2001: the roles of bacterial disease, harmful algae, and eutrophication

In August and September 2001, Kuwait Bay, a semi-enclosed embayment of the Arabian Gulf, experienced a massive fish kill involving over >2500 metric tons of wild mullet (Liza klunzingeri), due to the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae. In the Bay, this event was preceded by a small fish kill (100–1000 dead fish per day) of gilthead sea bream (Sparus auratus) in aquaculture net pens associated with a bloom of the dinoflagellate Ceratium furca. Sea bream were found to be culture positive for S. agalactiae, but did not show any visible signs of disease. Unusually warm temperatures (up to 35 °C) and calm conditions prevailed during this period. As the wild fish kill progressed, various harmful algae were observed, including Gymnodinium catenatum, Gyrodinium impudicum, and Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum. Cell numbers of G. catenatum and G. impudicum exceeded 10⁶ l⁻¹ in some locations. All fish tested below the limits of detection for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and brevetoxins. Clams (Circe callipyga) were positive for PSP but at levels below regulatory limits. Nutrient concentrations, both inorganic and organic, were highly variable with time and from site to site, reflecting inputs from sewage outfalls, the aquaculture operations, a high biomass of decomposing fish, and other sources. It is hypothesized that many factors contributed to the initial outbreak of the bacterial disease, including unusual warm and calm conditions. The same factors, as well as enriched nutrient conditions, also apparently were conducive to the subsequent HAB outbreaks. The detection of PSP, while below regulatory limits, warrants further monitoring to protect human health.     

Seasonal Distribution of Phytoplankton in Yellowknife Bay,Great Slave Lake

The factors influencing the seasonal distribution of phytoplankton were determined between July 1975 and December 1977 in Yellowknife Bay, Great Slave Lake. The initiation of the spring bloom occurred during April of each year in response to changing light conditions and despite the 0 °C water temperatures. Although the plankton showed some fluctuations in density (100–400 mg/m³) during the summer, there was no vernal decrease in the size of the populations. The end of the growing season was characterized by a sharp drop in numbers near the end of October. Multiple regression analysis indicated that changes in the standing crop of the plankton during the summer were primarily related to temperature (r = 0.60) and the concentrations of NO₃–N (r=–0.74) and SiO₂ (r=–0.82). Changing light conditions probably had little effect on the population during the growing season. Chlamydomonas lapponica was dominant during April of each year. While the growth of this species caused a reduction in the concentrations of total phosphorus and NO₃–N, the level of SiO₂ remained constant and consequently diatoms (Asterionella formosa, Stephanodiscus astraea, Diatoma tenue var. elongatum and Melosira islandica) waxed rapidly during May. By the first of June, nutrient concentrations were low, thereby permitting the development of Dinobryon bavaricum and Dinobryon cylindricum. The extremely rapid decrease in the densities of common species during the fall was probably due to the rapid decline in temperature and light levels and the formation of ice on the bay.     

Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA: a nutrient enrichment study

We conducted nutrient enrichment experiments and field sampling to address three questions: (1) is there nutrient limitation of phytoplankton accumulation within an estuary whose waters are exposed to relatively high nitrogen loading rates, (2) where in the salinity gradient from fresh to seawater (0 to 32‰) is there a shift from phosphorus to nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton accumulation, and (3) is there a seasonal shift in limiting function of phosphorus and nitrogen anywhere in the estuarine gradient. Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment experiments in the Childs River, an estuary of Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA, showed that the accumulation of phytoplankton biomass in brackish and saline water was limited by supply of nitrate during warm months. The effects of enrichment were less evident in fresh water, with short-lived responses to phosphate enrichment. There was no specific point along the salinity gradient where there was a shift from phosphorus- to nitrogen-limited phytoplankton accumulation; rather, the relative importance of nitrogen and phosphorus changed along the salinity gradient in the estuary and with season of the year. There was no response to nutrient additions during the colder months, suggesting that some seasonally-varying factor, such as light, temperature or a physiological mechanism, restricted phytoplankton accumulation during months other than May-Aug. There was only slight evidence of a seasonal shift between nitrogen- and phosphorus-limitation of chlorophyll accumulation. Phytoplankton populations in nutrient-rich estuaries with short flushing times grow fast, but at the same time the cells may be advected out of the estuaries while still rapidly dividing, thereby providing an important subsidy to production in nearby deeper waters. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon isotope ratio and photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in the eutrophic Mikawa Bay,Japan

Primary production by phytoplankton in the eutrophic Mikawa Bay, Japan, was studied by simultaneous measurements of natural carbon isotope ratio (δ ¹³C) and short-term carbon uptake rates (¹³C tracer study) of size-fractionated nannoplankton (<10 μm) and net plankton (>10 μm) samples. Short-term photosynthetic rates, which represent the physiological state of algae, were variable regardless of standing stock sizes. Theδ ¹³C values of particulate organic carbon (POC) in June and July displayed horizontal variations for both the net plankton fraction (−19.8 to −12.7‰) and the nannoplankton fraction (−22.0 to −12.8‰). For both fractions, low concentrations of POC had more negativeδ ¹³C values (−22 to −18‰). Highδ ¹³C values for the net plankton were found when POC concentrations were much higher, due to red tide. This suggests that the increase in algal standing crop for the net plankton fraction resulted from accelerated photosynthetic activity. However the nannoplankton fractions with higher POC values have relatively lowδ ¹³C values.     

Variation of Phytoplankton in a Tropical Estuary (Vellar Estuary,Bay of Bengal,India)

The phytoplankton species composition and community structure were studied at two stations in the Vellar estuary from January to December, 1983. A total of 117 species of phytoplankton belonging to various groups, namely diatoms (90), dinoflagellates (21), Chlorophyceae (3), Cyanophyceae (2) and silicoflagellates (1) were observed during the study. The species diversity, richness and evenness values varied from 0.7 to 4.2 units/individual, 0.9 to 5.7 and 0.19 to 0.75 respectively. Dominance index values varied between 32.6 and 96.4 during the study period.     

广西防城港湾周年浮游植物生态特征

2007年3、6、9和12月,对防城港湾海域浮游植物的种类组成、优势种类、群落结构、丰度分布进行了调查,分析了浮游植物丰度、生物指数及其与环境因子的相关性.共鉴定出浮游植物54属138种.其中硅藻门37属112种;甲藻门12属21种;绿藻门和金藻门各2种,蓝藻门1种.全年浮游植物优势种主要为硅藻门的中肋骨条藻.浮游植物种数呈现湾内低于湾外、由春至冬减少的趋势,浮游植物细胞丰度则呈由湾内向湾外递减的趋势.不同季节调查海区浮游植物细胞丰度平面分布格局具有显著差异,夏季(6月)浮游植物丰度最高,达151.39×104 cells·dm-3,冬季(12月)丰度最低,为0.35×104 cells·dm-3.春季防城港湾海域的浮游植物多样性较高,物种较丰富.相关性分析表明,浮游植物群落分布与营养盐、水温、盐度等环境因子存在一定的相关性.西湾内的S1和S2测站,受防城江径流及潮汐等水动力条件的作用,盐度较低,富营养化程度较高,夏季时中肋骨条藻会大量增殖,甚至具有发生赤潮的隐患.     

Selection of phytoplankton associations in Lake Balaton,Hungary, in response to eutrophication and restoration measures,with special reference to the cyanoprokaryotes

Seasonal and spatial patterns of aquatic primary production were compared in a tidal creek (Estero Pargo) bordered by mangroves and open waters of Terminos Lagoon, Mexico. Comparisions were made during a 17-month period in 1990–91 that spanned dry, rainy, and storm or 'Norte' seasons. Annual net primary productivity was 478 g C m-2 yr-1 in the lagoon and 285 g C m-2 yr-1 in the tidal creek. In some months, there were significant differences in primary production between the two sites. In both areas, the highest productivity occurred in summer at the start of the rainy season (June 1991), and the lowest production occurred during the dry season from February to May. Aquatic primary production was lower during the dry season of 1991 in comparison to 1990, possibly related to unusually low precipitation during 1991. Seasonal changes in water column productivity were correlated to variations in light and precipitation. The effect of runoff from mangrove forests was assessed by serial additions of surface water from a fringe forest to bottle incubations of lagoon water. Small additions of mangrove water stimulated primary production in lagoon waters during all seasons. The net productivity was extremely sensitive to aliquot volume; small amounts (0.3 and 1.7% of total volume) were stimulatory, increasing rates by > 50% in 7 of 12 experiments. The greatest effect occurred in September, 1990, when productivity tripled after an amendment with 1 ml (0.3% by volume) of mangrove water. Additions greater than 3% of total volume generally led to reduction in net productivity probably due to the inhibitory effect of humic substances. In many tropical systems, tidal exchange of estuarine waters with mangrove forests is likely to be important to enhancing water column productivity by exporting organic nutrients and other growth-enhancing substances to the estuary. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

三亚珊瑚礁分布海区浮游生物的群落结构

为了更好地了解珊瑚礁区生物群落应对环境变化的生态响应机制,以及浮游生物群落结构与珊瑚礁发展发育的关系,我们于2006年10月26日至11月10日对三亚珊瑚礁保护区9个有珊瑚礁分布的站点进行了浮游生物群落结构的调查.共鉴定出浮游植物种类61属130种(包括变种、变型),其中硅藻门48属101种,甲藻门10属25种,蓝藻门2属3种,金藻门1属1种.硅藻门的角毛藻属(Chaetoceros)种类最多,根管藻属(Rhizosolenia)的种类次之.调查海区浮游植物的细胞丰度范围为348-11,320个/L,平均为3,247个/L.在浮游植物群落中硅藻占绝对优势,平均丰度为3,230个/L,占总密度的99.5％.调查海区共鉴定出浮游动物76种,其中桡足类29种,水母类17种,浮游幼虫10种,毛颚类7种,被囊类6种,浮游腹足类4种,十足类、多毛类和介形类各1种.调查海区浮游动物的密度范围为43-190个/m3,平均为114个/m3.优势类群为桡足类、各类幼虫和毛颚类,平均分别占浮游动物总密度的28.5％,27.7％和13.6％.各站位浮游植物的多样性指数和均匀度平均分别为3.98和0.70,浮游动物的多样性指数和均匀度平均分别为4.37和0.87.鹿回头和大东海海域的浮游植物密度大,而生物多样性指数低.活的造礁石珊瑚种数和覆盖率高的站点的浮游生物多样性也较高.     

Plankton dynamics in a high mountain lake (Las Yeguas,Sierra Nevada,Spain). Indirect evidence of ciliates as food source for zooplankton

A detailed sampling programme during the ice-free season (July–September) in the oligotrophic lake Las Yeguas (Southern Spain) has shown a well-defined time lag between phytoplankton and zooplankton maximum standing stocks, the former displaying a peak (23 μgC l^-1) just after the ice-melting, and the latter by the end of September (80 μgC l^-1). A ratio of autotrophs to heterotrophs lower than 1 which lasted more than two thirds of the study period may suggest a high algal productivity per unit of biomass. The estimated strong top-down regulation of phytoplankton by zooplankton indicates an efficient utilization of resources. A comparative analysis between the available food supply and the critical food concentration that is necessary to maintain the population of Daphnia pulicaria (which constitutes up to 98% of the heterotrophic biomass) proves this species to be food-limited in the lake under study. To explain the dominance (and development) of such large-bodied cladoceran population, we discuss the possibility of the utilization of naked protozoan ciliates (Oligotrichidae) as a complementary high quality food source, and the exploitation of benthic resources through a coupled daily migration behaviour.