Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay
The species composition and size-structure of the phytoplanktoncommunity in the Boka Kotorska Bay (SE Adriatic Sea) were analysed withrespect to abundance and carbon biomass, together with the physico-chemicalparameters, with the aim of evaluating the predefined oligo-mesotrophicstatus of this trans...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2012-04-01
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| Series: | Oceanologia |
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| Online Access: | http://www.iopan.gda.pl/oceanologia/54_2.html#A6 |
| _version_ | 1811266594621358080 |
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| author | Sladana Krivokapic Damir Vilicic Branka Pestoric Grozdan Kuspilic Zrinka Ljubesic Tina Silovic Suncica Bosak |
| author_facet | Sladana Krivokapic Damir Vilicic Branka Pestoric Grozdan Kuspilic Zrinka Ljubesic Tina Silovic Suncica Bosak |
| author_sort | Sladana Krivokapic |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The species composition and size-structure of the phytoplanktoncommunity in the Boka Kotorska Bay (SE Adriatic Sea) were analysed withrespect to abundance and carbon biomass, together with the physico-chemicalparameters, with the aim of evaluating the predefined oligo-mesotrophicstatus of this transitional water ecosystem. Three stations locatedin the inner part of the Bay were sampled with seasonal frequencyin 2008/2009. Picophytoplankton cells were counted using flowcytometry; nanophytoplankton and microphytoplankton were identifiedand counted by light microscopy. The relative importance of thepicoplankton in the Bay, in terms of both abundance and biomass,during all the investigated seasons emphasized their significancein the phytoplankton community. Picocyanobacteria (<i>Synechococcus</i>)constituted a significant part of the summer assemblages withregard to both abundance (up to 3.38 × 10<sup>8</sup> cellsL<sup>-1</sup>)and carbon biomass (up to 73% of total phytoplankton carbon).The contribution of the nanophytoplankton was found to be generallylow (<20% of the total phytoplankton carbon) in all seasons,and was dominated by autotrophic/mixotrophic flagellates. Specieswith a preference towards nutrient-enriched conditions, likethe diatom <i>Skeletonema marinoi</i>, dominated the microphytoplanktonfraction. <i>S. marinoi</i> was the most abundant in spring/winter(up to 2.86 imes 10<sup>6</sup> cells L<sup>-1</sup>) above the halocline(making a 96% contribution to the microphytoplankton). The potentiallytoxin-producing diatom <it>Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima</it>was recorded at abundances greater than 10<sup>5</sup> cells L<sup>-1</sup>, togetherwith <i>Thalassionema frauenfeldii</i>, as well as the dinoflagellates<i>Prorocentrummicans</i> and the potentially harmful <i>P. minimum</i>. The higher valuesof phytoplankton biomass and the dominance of phytoplankton speciesor groups with preferences for nutrient-enriched conditions appear tobe consistent with the oligo-mesotrophic status of this specific ecosystem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:45:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8bc55be32d8047e18c7098dab5da40a8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0078-3234 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:45:04Z |
| publishDate | 2012-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oceanologia |
| spelling | doaj.art-8bc55be32d8047e18c7098dab5da40a82022-12-22T03:17:17ZengElsevierOceanologia0078-32342012-04-01542255286Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic baySladana KrivokapicDamir VilicicBranka PestoricGrozdan KuspilicZrinka LjubesicTina SilovicSuncica BosakThe species composition and size-structure of the phytoplanktoncommunity in the Boka Kotorska Bay (SE Adriatic Sea) were analysed withrespect to abundance and carbon biomass, together with the physico-chemicalparameters, with the aim of evaluating the predefined oligo-mesotrophicstatus of this transitional water ecosystem. Three stations locatedin the inner part of the Bay were sampled with seasonal frequencyin 2008/2009. Picophytoplankton cells were counted using flowcytometry; nanophytoplankton and microphytoplankton were identifiedand counted by light microscopy. The relative importance of thepicoplankton in the Bay, in terms of both abundance and biomass,during all the investigated seasons emphasized their significancein the phytoplankton community. Picocyanobacteria (<i>Synechococcus</i>)constituted a significant part of the summer assemblages withregard to both abundance (up to 3.38 × 10<sup>8</sup> cellsL<sup>-1</sup>)and carbon biomass (up to 73% of total phytoplankton carbon).The contribution of the nanophytoplankton was found to be generallylow (<20% of the total phytoplankton carbon) in all seasons,and was dominated by autotrophic/mixotrophic flagellates. Specieswith a preference towards nutrient-enriched conditions, likethe diatom <i>Skeletonema marinoi</i>, dominated the microphytoplanktonfraction. <i>S. marinoi</i> was the most abundant in spring/winter(up to 2.86 imes 10<sup>6</sup> cells L<sup>-1</sup>) above the halocline(making a 96% contribution to the microphytoplankton). The potentiallytoxin-producing diatom <it>Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima</it>was recorded at abundances greater than 10<sup>5</sup> cells L<sup>-1</sup>, togetherwith <i>Thalassionema frauenfeldii</i>, as well as the dinoflagellates<i>Prorocentrummicans</i> and the potentially harmful <i>P. minimum</i>. The higher valuesof phytoplankton biomass and the dominance of phytoplankton speciesor groups with preferences for nutrient-enriched conditions appear tobe consistent with the oligo-mesotrophic status of this specific ecosystem.http://www.iopan.gda.pl/oceanologia/54_2.html#A6Chytoplankton size-fractionsSpecies compositionPicophytoplanktonTrophic statusCarbon biomassAdriatic Sea |
| spellingShingle | Sladana Krivokapic Damir Vilicic Branka Pestoric Grozdan Kuspilic Zrinka Ljubesic Tina Silovic Suncica Bosak Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay Oceanologia Chytoplankton size-fractions Species composition Picophytoplankton Trophic status Carbon biomass Adriatic Sea |
| title | Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay |
| title_full | Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay |
| title_fullStr | Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay |
| title_short | Phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems: the case study of a Mediterranean fjord-like karstic bay |
| title_sort | phytoplankton size structure and species composition as an indicator of trophic status in transitional ecosystems the case study of a mediterranean fjord like karstic bay |
| topic | Chytoplankton size-fractions Species composition Picophytoplankton Trophic status Carbon biomass Adriatic Sea |
| url | http://www.iopan.gda.pl/oceanologia/54_2.html#A6 |
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