Heterotrophic Bacterial Production and Its Dependence on Autotrophic Production in a Hypertrophic African Reservoir

1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D. Robarts ◽  
Richard J. Wicks

The incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine (TdR) into bacterial DNA in Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa was measured over 16 mo and at nine depths. Bacterial numbers at the surface ranged between 2.45 and 32.20 × 106 cells∙mL−1[Formula: see text] while bacterial production varied between 1.0 and 251 pmol TdR∙L−1∙h−1 (0.01 to 1.9 mg C∙m−3∙h−1). At the bottom, production ranged between 0 and 26.7 pmol TdR∙L−1∙h−1 (0–0.2 mg C∙m−3∙h−1). The fastest bacterial doubling time was 59 h. At the surface, bacterial production was dominantly correlated to chlorophyll a (6.6–6530 mg∙m−3) and phaeopigments (0.9–378 mg∙m−3) (r = 0.81) followed by primary production (26.6–8886 mg C∙m−3∙h−1) (r = 0.77) (n = 30–34, p < 0.001). However, below 5 m, water temperature and bacterial numbers were the dominant correlates. Bacterial production for the water column averaged 2% of daily, areal primary production. The data demonstrated a close coupling between autotrophic production and heterotrophic bacterial production. However, the low bacterial production compared with primary production, together with the small size of the bacteria (usually 0.09–0.25 μm width), suggest substrate supply was a major limiting factor of bacterial growth.

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 2412-2422 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Hudson ◽  
J. C. Roff ◽  
B. K. Burnison

Bacterial abundance, biomass, and heterotrophic production were measured in the water, sediment, and epilithon of forested and open streams in southern Ontario in summer 1988. Relationships of environmental variables to production were examined. The time course of nucleoside incorporation, recovery efficiency of bacterial DNA, isotope dilution, and disturbance artifacts were examined to compare bacterial production rates and to determine the appropriateness of the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into bacterial DNA as an estimate of bacterial production in these habitats. Water column bacterial biomass (12–97 μg C∙L−1) and heterotrophic production (0.21–67 μg C∙L−1∙h−1) were greater in open streams than in forested streams. Differences between open and forested stream sediment bacterial biomass (0.30–1.1 g C∙m−2) and heterotrophic production (18–140 mg C∙m−2∙h−1) were not as pronounced as they were in the water column. A methodological disturbance artifact may have introduced a minor bias in sediment production measurements. Epilithic bacterial biomass was 35–150 mg C∙m−2, and heterotroph production was 1.3–51 mg C∙m−2∙h−1, significantly greater (P < 0.05) in open streams than in forested streams. Epilithic production and stream water temperature were positively correlated (P < 0.05). Heterotrophic bacterial production exceeded net primary production in forested streams, but not in open streams.


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 569 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Hansen ◽  
GA Skilleter

Abundance of the deposit-feeding gastropod Rhinoclavis aspera in coral-reef-flat sediments was estimated along with numbers of bacteria, rate of bacterial production, biomass of microalgae (measured as concentration of chlorophyll a) and rates of gross primary production at two different times of the year. Standing stocks of bacteria and microalgae were greater in June 1986 (winter) than in January 1987 (summer), but rates of bacterial production and gross primary production were slower in June. Significant correlations between the abundance of R. aspera and the rates of bacterial production indicated that grazing by the gastropods may affect bacterial activity. Densities of R. aspera were manipulated in enclosures in the field to determine their effects on the number of bacteria, the rates of bacterial production and the biomass of microalgae. There were no consistent effects of gastropods on either the biomass of microalgae or rates of bacterial growth. Numbers of bacteria were, however, significantly less in enclosures with greater densities of gastropods. Physical disturbance of the sediments (to simulate the movements of the gastropods) also caused a significant decrease in the numbers of bacteria. The decrease in numbers of bacteria was not the result of slower rates of bacterial growth, indicating that cell removal was a more probable fate. It may be that disruption of sediments by the gastropods increased the abundance of other grazers, such as meiofauna, which then consumed the bacteria.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 19861-19900 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Van Wambeke ◽  
U. Pfreundt ◽  
A. Barani ◽  
H. Berthelot ◽  
T. Moutin ◽  
...  

Abstract. N2 fixation fuels ~ 50 % of new primary production in the oligotrophic South Pacific Ocean. The VAHINE mesocosm experiment designed to track the fate of diazotroph derived nitrogen (DDN) in the New Caledonia lagoon. Here, we examined the temporal dynamics of heterotrophic bacterial production during this experiment. Three replicate large-volume (~ 50 m3) mesocosms were deployed and were intentionally fertilized with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to stimulate N2 fixation. We specifically examined relationships between N2 fixation rates and primary production, determined bacterial growth efficiency and established carbon budgets of the system from the DIP fertilization to the end of the experiment (days 5–23). Heterotrophic bacterioplankton production (BP) and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were statistically higher during the second phase of the experiment (P2: days 15–23), when chlorophyll biomass started to increase compared to the first phase (P1: days 5–14). Among autotrophs, Synechococcus abundances increased during P2, possibly related to its capacity to assimilate leucine and to produce alkaline phosphatase. Bacterial growth efficiency based on the carbon budget was notably higher than generally cited for oligotrophic environments (27–43 %), possibly due to a high representation of proteorhodopsin-containing organisms within the picoplanctonic community. The carbon budget showed that the main fate of gross primary production (particulate + dissolved) was respiration (67 %), and export through sedimentation (17 %). BP was highly correlated with particulate primary production and chlorophyll biomass during both phases of the experiment but slightly correlated, and only during P2 phase, with N2 fixation rates. Our results suggest that most of the DDN reached the heterotrophic bacterial community through indirect processes, like mortality, lysis and grazing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3187-3202 ◽  
Author(s):  
France Van Wambeke ◽  
Ulrike Pfreundt ◽  
Aude Barani ◽  
Hugo Berthelot ◽  
Thierry Moutin ◽  
...  

Abstract. Studies investigating the fate of diazotrophs through the microbial food web are lacking, although N2 fixation can fuel up to 50 % of new production in some oligotrophic oceans. In particular, the role played by heterotrophic prokaryotes in this transfer is largely unknown. In the frame of the VAHINE (VAriability of vertical and tropHIc transfer of diazotroph derived N in the south wEst Pacific) experiment, three replicate large-volume (∼ 50 m3) mesocosms were deployed for 23 days in the new Caledonia lagoon and were intentionally fertilized on day 4 with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to stimulate N2 fixation. We specifically examined relationships between heterotrophic bacterial production (BP) and N2 fixation or primary production, determined bacterial growth efficiency and established carbon budgets. BP was statistically higher during the second phase of the experiment (P2: days 15–23), when chlorophyll biomass started to increase compared to the first phase (P1: days 5–14). Phosphatase alkaline activity increased drastically during the second phase of the experiment, showing adaptations of microbial populations after utilization of the added DIP. Notably, among autotrophs, Synechococcus abundances increased during P2, possibly related to its capacity to assimilate leucine and to produce alkaline phosphatase. Bacterial growth efficiency based on the carbon budget (27–43 %), was notably higher than generally cited for oligotrophic environments and discussed in links with the presence of abundant species of bacteria expressing proteorhodopsin. The main fates of gross primary production (particulate + dissolved) were respiration (67 %) and export through sedimentation (17 %). BP was highly correlated with particulate primary production and chlorophyll biomass during both phases of the experiment but was slightly correlated, and only during P2 phase, with N2 fixation rates. Heterotrophic bacterial production was strongly stimulated after mineral N enrichment experiments, suggesting N-limitation of heterotrophic bacteria across the experiment. N2 fixation rates corresponded to 17–37 % of the nitrogen demand of heterotrophic bacteria. Our results suggest that most of the diazotroph-derived nitrogen fuelled the heterotrophic bacterial community through indirect processes generating dissolved organic matter and detritus, like mortality, lysis and grazing of both diazotrophs and non-diazotrophs.


Author(s):  
Akihiro Shiomoto ◽  
Yushi Kamuro

Abstract In Saroma-ko Lagoon, where scallop aquaculture is a thriving commercial activity, monitoring primary production is essential for determining the amount of scallops that can be farmed. Using the primary production data obtained so far, we calculated Ψ, an index of water-column light utilization efficiency, and clarified its seasonal variation. Ψ tended to be lower in the spring bloom season (February–April), and higher in the late autumn to winter (October–December). Low chlorophyll-normalized production, an index of growth rate, resulted in lower values, while low daily irradiance resulted in higher values. The values of Ψ from our study had a range of 0.05–1.42 gC gChl-a−1 mol photons−1 m2 (N = 56). These values were within the previously reported range of 0.07–1.92 (gC gChl-a−1 mol photons−1 m2) for seawater and fresh water worldwide. Therefore, it is likely that Ψ varies from 0.05–2 gC gChl-a−1 mol photons−1 m2, being affected by conditions of phytoplankton growth and sunlight intensity, regardless of whether samples are collected from seawater or fresh water. Using the median Ψ value of 0.45 gC gChl-a−1 mol photons−1 m2 obtained in this study, primary production was 0.3–3.5 times the actual production at Saroma-ko Lagoon. Using this method, primary production can be easily and constantly monitored, facilitating the sustainable development of scallop aquaculture.


2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 5469-5476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Randa ◽  
Martin F. Polz ◽  
Eelin Lim

ABSTRACT The abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in coastal environments has been linked to water temperature, while its relationship to salinity is less clear. We have developed a culture-independent, most-probable-number quantitative PCR approach to examine V. vulnificus population dynamics in Barnegat Bay, N.J. Based on the combined analysis of our results from Barnegat Bay and from the literature, the present data show that (i) V. vulnificus population dynamics are strongly correlated to water temperature and (ii) although the general trend is for V. vulnificus abundance to be inversely correlated with salinity, this relationship depends on salinity levels. Irrespective of temperature, high abundances of V. vulnificus are observed at 5 to 10 ppt, which thus appears to be the optimal salinity regime for their survival. At 20 to 25 ppt, V. vulnificus abundances show a positive correlation to salinity. Unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate V. vulnificus, combined with our inability to detect cells during the winter despite an assay adapted to detect viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells, suggest that the decline and eventual disappearance of V. vulnificus from the water column during the winter months is due primarily to a significant reduction in population size and is not only the consequence of cells entering the VBNC state. These findings are in line with the hypothesis that the sediment serves as a refuge for a subpopulation of V. vulnificus over the winter and weather-driven mixing events during the spring initiate a summer bloom in the water column.


2021 ◽  
Vol 664 ◽  
pp. 59-77
Author(s):  
AB Demidov ◽  
IN Sukhanova ◽  
TA Belevich ◽  
MV Flint ◽  
VI Gagarin ◽  
...  

Climate-induced variability of phytoplankton size structure influences primary productivity, marine food web dynamics, biosedimentation and exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and ocean. Investigation of phytoplankton size structure in the Arctic Ocean is important due to rapid changes in its ecosystems related to increasing temperature and declining sea ice cover. We estimated the contribution of surface micro-, nano- and picophytoplankton to the total carbon biomass, chlorophyll a concentration and primary production in the Kara and Laptev Seas and investigated the relationships of these phytoplankton size groups with environmental factors which determine their spatial variability. Additionally, we compared chlorophyll specific carbon fixation rate, specific growth rate and carbon to chlorophyll ratios among different phytoplankton size groups. The investigation was carried out from August to September 2018. Generally, picophytoplankton was dominant in terms of chlorophyll a and primary production in the whole study area. The spatial variability of phytoplankton size classes was influenced by river discharge and relied mainly on water temperature, salinity and dissolved silicon concentration. Microphytoplankton prevailed across the river runoff region under conditions of low salinity and relatively high water temperature, while picophytoplankton was predominant under conditions of high salinity and low water temperature. Our study is the first to characterize size-fractionated phytoplankton abundance in the Kara and Laptev Seas, and provides a baseline for future assessment of the response of Kara and Laptev Sea ecosystems to climate-induced processes using phytoplankton size structure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1561-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hagens ◽  
C. P. Slomp ◽  
F. J. R. Meysman ◽  
D. Seitaj ◽  
J. Harlay ◽  
...  

Abstract. Coastal areas are impacted by multiple natural and anthropogenic processes and experience stronger pH fluctuations than the open ocean. These variations can weaken or intensify the ocean acidification signal induced by increasing atmospheric pCO2. The development of eutrophication-induced hypoxia intensifies coastal acidification, since the CO2 produced during respiration decreases the buffering capacity in any hypoxic bottom water. To assess the combined ecosystem impacts of acidification and hypoxia, we quantified the seasonal variation in pH and oxygen dynamics in the water column of a seasonally stratified coastal basin (Lake Grevelingen, the Netherlands). Monthly water-column chemistry measurements were complemented with estimates of primary production and respiration using O2 light–dark incubations, in addition to sediment–water fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA). The resulting data set was used to set up a proton budget on a seasonal scale. Temperature-induced seasonal stratification combined with a high community respiration was responsible for the depletion of oxygen in the bottom water in summer. The surface water showed strong seasonal variation in process rates (primary production, CO2 air–sea exchange), but relatively small seasonal pH fluctuations (0.46 units on the total hydrogen ion scale). In contrast, the bottom water showed less seasonality in biogeochemical rates (respiration, sediment–water exchange), but stronger pH fluctuations (0.60 units). This marked difference in pH dynamics could be attributed to a substantial reduction in the acid–base buffering capacity of the hypoxic bottom water in the summer period. Our results highlight the importance of acid–base buffering in the pH dynamics of coastal systems and illustrate the increasing vulnerability of hypoxic, CO2-rich waters to any acidifying process.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Lex Bouwman ◽  
Jiaye Zang ◽  
Chenying Zhao ◽  
Xiaochen Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract. Silicon (Si) and carbon (C) play key roles in the river and marine biogeochemistry. The Si and C budgets for the Bohai Sea were established on the basis of measurements at a range of stations and additional data from the literature. The results show that the spatial distributions of reactive Si and organic C (OC) in the water column are largely affected by the riverine input, primary production and export to the Yellow Sea. Biogenic silica (BSi) and total OC in sediments are mainly from marine primary production. The major supply of dissolved silicate (DSi) comes from benthic diffusion, riverine input alone accounts for 17 % of reactive Si inputs to the Bohai Sea; the dominant DSi removal from the water column is diatom uptake, followed by sedimentation. Rivers contribute 47 % of exogenous OC inputs to the Bohai Sea; the dominant outputs of OC are sedimentation and export to the Yellow Sea. The net burial of BSi and OC represent 3.3 % and 1.0 % of total primary production, respectively. Primary production has increased by 10 % since 2002 as a result of increased river loads of DSi and BSi. Our findings underline the critical role of riverine Si supply in primary production in coastal marine ecosystems.


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