Hydrodynamic and chemical conditions during onset of a red-tide assemblage in an estuarine upwelling ecosystem |
| |
Authors: | X A Alvarez-Salgado F G Figueiras M L Villarino Y Pazos |
| |
Institution: | CSIC, Instituto de Investigacións Mari?as, Eduardo Cabello 6, E-36208 Vigo, Spain, ES XUGA, Centro de Control de Calidade do Medio Mari?o, Peirao de Vilaxoán, E-36611 Villagarcía de Arousa, Spain, ES
|
| |
Abstract: | The hydrodynamics and nitrogen/silicon biogeochemistry accompanying the development of a red-tide assemblage were examined
in the Ría de Vigo (northwest Spain), a coastal embayment affected by upwelling, during an in situ diel experiment in September
1991. Despite a low N:Si molar ratio (0.5) of nutrients entering the surface layer, which was favourable for diatom growth,
the diatom population began to decline. Limited N-nutrient input, arising from moderate coastal upwelling in a stratified
water column, restricted net community production (NCP = 630 mg C m−2 d−1). In addition, light-limitation of gross primary production (GPP = 1525 mg C m−2 d−1) was observed. The relatively high f-ratio (= NCP:GPP) recorded (0.41, characteristic of intense upwelling conditions) would have been as low as 0.15 had not GPP
been limited by light intensity. Temporal separation of carbohydrate synthesis during the photoperiod from protein synthesis
in the dark could be inferred from the time-course of the C:N ratio of particulate organic matter. Severe light-limitation
would lead to diatom collapse were the diatoms not able to meet all their energy requirements during the hours of darkness.
Under the hydrodynamic, nutrient and light conditions of the experiment, an assemblage of red-tide-forming species began to
develop, aided by their ability to migrate vertically and to synthesize carbohydrates during the light in surface waters and
protein during the dark at the 4 m-deep pycnocline. Thermal stratification, reduced turbulence, intense nutrient mineralization,
and the limited nitrogen input through moderate upwelling were all favourable to the onset of a red-tide assemblage.
Received: 15 February 1997 / Accepted: 26 September 1997 |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|