Quantum yield of the marine benthic microflora of near-shore coastal Penang, Malaysia

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. McMinn ◽  
S. Sellah ◽  
W. A. Wan Ab. Llah ◽  
M. Mohammad ◽  
F. Md. Sidik Merican ◽  
...  

Benthic microalgal communities often contribute more than 30% of the primary production of shallow coastal and estuarine areas. At Muka Head Penang (Pulau Pinang) and the Songsong Islands (Pulau Songsong), Kedah, Malaysia, high concentrations of suspended solids and phytoplankton biomass (10.6 mg Chl a m−3) has reduced water clarity such that the euphotic zone of these areas is less than 2 m and 3 m deep respectively. The benthic microalgal communities, which were composed of the diatom genera Cocconeis, Fragilaria, Paralia and Pleurosigma, had a low biomass, had low maximum quantum yields (0.325 ± 0.129), were poorly adapted to their light environment and were constantly light limited. These characteristics suggest that the benthic microalgal communities were likely to have made only a minor contribution to the total primary production of the area.

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1015-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Yin ◽  
P J Harrison ◽  
R J Beamish

High-resolution vertical profiles of salinity, temperature, fluorescence, and nutrients (NO3 and SiO4) were taken along a transect in the central Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. The Fraser River discharge increased rapidly over 4 days and then decreased over the following 3 days (June 16-19, 1991). The thickness and extent of the estuarine plume increased as a response to the increased river discharge. As the estuarine plume flowed seaward, the nutricline (NO3) became shallower and broader, resulting in an increase in NO3 in the euphotic zone. Entrainment of NO3 may explain the increase in NO3 in the surface layer, and the amount of NO3 entrained was estimated to be 5-10 times higher than river-borne NO3. The utilization of entrained nutrients increased Chl a concentrations and primary production to levels comparable with spring bloom values. Our results clearly demonstrated for the first time that entrainment of nutrients and phytoplankton production in the central Strait of Georgia are closely coupled to fluctuations in the Fraser River discharge as the estuarine plume moves seaward. The timing and magnitude of the May-June freshet could control the entrainment of nutrients and thus maintain high primary productivity in late spring - early summer.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 629 ◽  
Author(s):  
RR Parker ◽  
DJ Tranter

This paper is addressed to the following questions: 'How accurately does in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence of samples treated with Diuron (DCMU), notated FM estimate autotrophic standing stock?' and 'How accurately does the Diuron response, ΔF (= FM - FV), estimate primary production?'. Data are drawn from several cruises in the western Tasman Sea, ranging between latitudes 25�S. and 53�S. The prediction of chlorophyll (�g chl u I-1) from FM (standard chl a fluorescence units) is given by Chl= 2 × 10-3 FM. The standard error is about 6 × 10-4 FM so the 'true' value will usually be within �60% of the estimated mean value. The production parameter, PA(�g Cl-1), as measured by 14C uptake under saturating light conditions, may be predicted for the euphotic zone other than the surface layer by PA = 3 × 10-2ΔF. If mean ΔF values are used the 'true' value will usually lie within �25% of the estimate. A strong diel effect was found in the parameter Φ( =ΔFFM-1), the 'photochemical quantum efficiency', an estimator of relative growth rate. The diel cycle has the form of a major midday minimum, a minor midnight minimum, and pre-dawn and post-sunset maxima. This cycle must be removed before comparisons of Φ of samples taken at different times can be made.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Mamun ◽  
Ji Yoon Kim ◽  
Kwang-Guk An

The main objectives of the study were to determine the trophic response of the temperate reservoir to seasonal and interannual variabilities of monsoon inorganic solids and nutrients along the gradients of the morphologically complex Asian reservoir using long-term datasets between 2000–2018. Nutrient regime (total nitrogen—TN, total phosphorus—TP), total suspended solids (TSS), and chlorophyll-a (CHL-a) were primarily affected by an intensity of summer monsoon and the longitudinal structure of riverine (Rz), transitional (Tz), and lacustrine (Lz) zone. The reservoir is a nitrogen-rich system and the phosphorus content of the water was relatively low, and it had low mean N:P ratios (<40), implying a P-limiting system. The Lz was a highly P-limited zone in comparison to Rz and Tz zone during both drought (2015) and flood year (2011). The TP content was higher in the mainstem (S3) than the embankment (S4 and S6) of the reservoir due to the monsoon river inputs of the nutrients. Nonparametric Mann–Kendall tests indicated that TP decreased over the long-term years in the Rz, while it did not show any trend in Tz, Lz, IT1, and IT2. TN showed an increasing trend in Rz, Tz, Lz, and IT2 except for IT1. The empirical regression model for chlorophyll nutrients showed that CHL-a had a strong positive relationship with TP (R2 = 0.67, p < 0.01) than TN (R2 = 0.06, p < 0.01), supporting the view that algal growth in lentic systems responds to TP enrichment and TP may provide a reliable basis for predicting algal biomass. The seasonality of CHL-a and TP showed a monomodal pattern and indicates that summer TP influences summer algal growth in Tz, Lz, and IT2. The water clarity (SD) of the reservoir was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by TP (R2 = 0.62), TSS (R2 = 0.67), and CHL-a (R2 = 0.68) rather than TN (R2 = 0.10). The non-algal light attenuation coefficient (Kna) was determined mainly by suspended solids and the monsoon hydrology. The trophic state was much higher when assessments were based on TSI (CHL-a) than on TSI (TP) and TSI (SD). TSI (CHL-a) indicated the eutrophic state of the reservoirs except for the zone of Lz during the premonsoon season. Analysis of trophic state index deviation (TSID) suggested that the blue-green algae dominated the algal community, and the effects of non-algal turbidity and zooplankton grazing were minor in the reservoir.


1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray N. Charlton ◽  
Robin Le Sage

Abstract A series of water samples and Secchi depth measurements were conducted in Hamilton Harbour between 1987 and 1995. The data indicate little recent improvement in the harbour generally. Detection of real improvements may require high frequency sampling and a more extensive sample grid once a cause for improvement is in place. Some measures, such as chlorophyll and Secchi depth, approach RAP initial goals sometimes during recent years, but algal blooms still occur, which prevent attainment of satisfactory average conditions. The cause of aesthetic improvements in water clarity reported in the media was investigated with sampling along an inshore-offshore transect and intense Secchi measurements in the LaSalle Park area. The data are consistent with a transient clarifying effect of zebra mussels on structures near shore. The need to reduce nutrient loads as recommended in the Remedial Action Plan continues.


1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Gemza

Abstract Severn Sound continues to exhibit signs of eutrophication despite initial identification of the problem in 1969 and the construction of several sewage treatment plants since then. In general, improvements in trophic state indicators have been marginal, suggesting that the sewage treatment plants have had limited success in controlling phosphorus concentrations. These discharges likely contributed to the increased total phosphorus levels and consequently the higher phytoplankton densities of the nearshore waters. Phytoplankton biovolumes were on average one order of magnitude higher than in the open waters of Lake Huron with mean summer biovolumes as high as 8.0 mm/L. Algal biovolumes were most dense in Penetang Bay, which experienced limited exchange with the main waters of the sound. No significant long-term trends were observed. Water clarity was declining significantly, however, at a rate of -0.60 to -0.78 m/year throughout the sound except in Sturgeon Bay. Total phosphorus levels were highly variable from year to year; however, concentrations from a 20-year perspective were declining in the open waters at a rate of 0.70 µg/L/year, but response was limited in nearshore areas. In Sturgeon Bay, mean annual euphotic zone total phosphorus as well as soluble reactive phosphorus levels declined by as much as 50% following the construction of a sewage treatment plant with tertiary treatment. Phytoplankton genera typical of eutrophic waters continued to dominate the algal assemblage but members indicative of mesotrophic conditions have become apparent in some areas of the sound.


1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Teer ◽  
D. J. Leak ◽  
A. W. L. Dudeney ◽  
A. Narayanan ◽  
D. C. Stuckey

The presence of small amounts of iron (&gt;0.013% Fe) in sand creates problems in the manufacture of high quality glass. Removal by hot sulphuric acid is possible, but creates environmental problems, and is costly. Hence organic acids such as oxalic have been investigated since they are effective in removing iron, and can be degraded anaerobically. The aim of this work was to identify key intermediates in the anaerobic degradation of oxalate in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) which was removing iron from solution in the sulphide form, and to determine the bacterial species involved. 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) and molybdenum were selected as suitable inhibitors for methanogenic and sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) respectively. 40mM molybdenum was used to inhibit the SRB in a reactor with a 12hr HRT. Total SRB inhibition took place in 20 hrs, with a complete breakthrough of influent sulphate. The lack of an immediate oxalate breakthrough confirmed Desulfovibrio vulgaris subspecies oxamicus was not the predominant oxalate utilising species. Nevertheless, high concentrations of molybdenum were found to inhibit oxalate utilising bacteria in granular reactors but not in suspended population reactors; this observation was puzzling, and at present cannot be explained. Based on the intermediates identified, it was postulated that oxalate was degraded to formate by an oxalate utilising bacteria such as Oxalobacter formigenes, and the formate used by the SRBs to reduce sulphate. Acetate, as a minor intermediate, existed primarily as a source of cell carbon for oxalate utilising bacteria. Methanogenic inhibition identified that 62% of the CH4 in the reactor operated at 37°C originated from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, whilst this figure was 80% at 20°C. Possible irreversible effects were recorded with hydrogenotrophic methanogens.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1825-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Engel ◽  
Hannes Wagner ◽  
Frédéric A. C. Le Moigne ◽  
Samuel T. Wilson

Abstract. In the ocean, sinking of particulate organic matter (POM) drives carbon export from the euphotic zone and supplies nutrition to mesopelagic communities, the feeding and degradation activities of which in turn lead to export flux attenuation. Oxygen (O2) minimum zones (OMZs) with suboxic water layers (< 5 µmol O2 kg−1) show a lower carbon flux attenuation compared to well-oxygenated waters (> 100 µmol O2 kg−1), supposedly due to reduced heterotrophic activity. This study focuses on sinking particle fluxes through hypoxic mesopelagic waters (< 60 µmol O2 kg−1); these represent  ∼  100 times more ocean volume globally compared to suboxic waters, but they have less been studied. Particle export fluxes and attenuation coefficients were determined in the eastern tropical North Atlantic (ETNA) using two surface-tethered drifting sediment trap arrays with seven trapping depths located between 100 and 600 m. Data on particulate matter fluxes were fitted to the normalized power function Fz =  F100 (z∕100)−b, with F100 being the flux at a depth (z) of 100 m and b being the attenuation coefficient. Higher b values suggest stronger flux attenuation and are influenced by factors such as faster degradation at higher temperatures. In this study, b values of organic carbon fluxes varied between 0.74 and 0.80 and were in the intermediate range of previous reports, but lower than expected from seawater temperatures within the upper 500 m. During this study, highest b values were determined for fluxes of particulate hydrolyzable amino acids (PHAA), followed by particulate organic phosphorus (POP), nitrogen (PN), carbon (POC), chlorophyll a (Chl a) and transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), pointing to a sequential degradation of organic matter components during sinking. Our study suggests that in addition to O2 concentration, organic matter composition co-determines transfer efficiency through the mesopelagic. The magnitude of future carbon export fluxes may therefore also depend on how organic matter quality in the surface ocean changes under influence of warming, acidification and enhanced stratification.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1455-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinna Jokulsdottir ◽  
David Archer

Abstract. We present a new mechanistic model, stochastic, Lagrangian aggregate model of sinking particles (SLAMS) for the biological pump in the ocean, which tracks the evolution of individual particles as they aggregate, disaggregate, sink, and are altered by chemical and biological processes. SLAMS considers the impacts of ballasting by mineral phases, binding of aggregates by transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), zooplankton grazing and the fractal geometry (porosity) of the aggregates. Parameterizations for age-dependent organic carbon (orgC) degradation kinetics, and disaggregation driven by zooplankton grazing and TEP degradation, are motivated by observed particle fluxes and size spectra throughout the water column. The model is able to explain observed variations in orgC export efficiency and rain ratio from the euphotic zone and to the sea floor as driven by sea surface temperature and the primary production rate and seasonality of primary production. The model provides a new mechanistic framework with which to predict future changes on the flux attenuation of orgC in response to climate change forcing.


2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1346-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica A. G. Vidal ◽  
Manuel Haimovici ◽  
Vivian C. S. Hackbart

Abstract Vidal, E. A. G., Haimovici, M., and Hackbart, V. C. S. 2010. Distribution of paralarvae and small juvenile cephalopods in relation to primary production in an upwelling area off southern Brazil. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1346–1352. The distribution of paralarvae and small juvenile cephalopods sampled by a rectangular midwater trawl (opening area 8 m2) over the continental shelf off Cape Santa Marta Grande, southern Brazil (28°09′S–29°56′S) during spring 1989 is discussed. An intrusion of Brazil Current Tropical Water (22°C; 36.5) separates warm, less-saline water (22°C; 35.2) from cooler, more-saline water (15°C; 36.4). Prevailing northeasterly winds led to upwelling of South Atlantic Central Water over the shelf, promoting high Chl a concentrations. Three species constituted 99% of the 628 cephalopods collected: Illex argentinus (n = 540; 4–40 mm mantle length, ML), Argonauta nodosa (n = 46; 2–19 mm ML), and Loligo sanpaulensis (n = 42, 2–21 mm ML). Segregation of I. argentinus juveniles of similar size suggests school formation as small as 10 mm ML. The presence of mature males along with fertilized female A. nodosa indicates mating early in life. There was a consistent and direct link between high plankton production and high densities of juvenile cephalopods through a short and ecologically efficient food chain. The relationship between production, pycnocline intensity, and the density of paralarvae and juveniles revealed suitable conditions for survival and growth during the upwelling season.


1978 ◽  
Vol 169 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Cammer ◽  
Lesley Z. Bieler ◽  
William T. Norton

Degradation of myelin basic protein during incubations with high concentrations of horseradish peroxidase has been demonstrated [Johnson & Cammer (1977) J. Histochem. Cytochem.25, 329–336]. Possible mechanisms for the interaction of the basic protein with peroxidase were investigated in the present study. Because the peroxidase samples previously observed to degrade basic protein were mixtures of isoenzymes, commercial preparations of the separated isoenzymes were tested, and all three degraded basic protein, but to various extents. Three other basic proteins, P2 protein from peripheral nerve myelin, lysozyme and cytochrome c, were not degraded by horseradish peroxidase under the same conditions. Inhibitor studies suggested a minor peroxidatic component in the reaction. Therefore the peroxidatic reaction with basic protein was studied by using low concentrations of peroxidase along with H2O2. Horseradish peroxidase plus H2O2 caused the destruction of basic protein, a reaction inhibited by cyanide, azide, ferrocyanide, tyrosine, di-iodotyrosine and catalase. Lactoperoxidase plus H2O2 and myoglobin plus H2O2 were also effective in destroying the myelin basic protein. Low concentrations of horseradish peroxidase plus H2O2 were not active against other basic proteins, but did destroy casein and fibrinogen. Although high concentrations of peroxidase alone degraded basic protein to low-molecular-weight products, suggesting the operation of a proteolytic enzyme contaminant in the absence of H2O2, incubations with catalytic concentrations of peroxidase in the presence of H2O2 converted basic protein into products with high molecular weights. Our data suggest a mechanism for the latter, peroxidatic, reaction where polymers would form by linking the tyrosine side chains in basic-protein molecules. These data show that the myelin basic protein is unusually susceptible to peroxidatic reactions.


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