Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Silicate availability, vertical mixing and grazing control of phytoplankton blooms in mesocosms

  • Chapter
Sustainable Increase of Marine Harvesting: Fundamental Mechanisms and New Concepts

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 167))

Abstract

The present paper explores (i) the way silicate concentrations may control the switch from diatom to non-diatom dominated phytoplankton, (ii) the consequence of mixing intensity and nutrient loading on phytoplankton corn-position (and potentially harmful species), (iii) to what extent trophic interactions may interfere with this abiotic control. The data used for this paper were selected from experiments run in 3-m3 land-based mesocosms (SW Netherlands) since 1993. Various nutrient and/or mixing regimes were applied to seawater incubated for periods varying from 1 to five months. The termination of the initial diatom bloom was induced by silicate concentrations below 2 µM, whereas the subsequent flagellate bloom was limited by N or P availability. Combined high nitrogen loadings and stratification events promoted the development of potentially harmful dinoflagellates but other factors such as grazing and temperature played a decisive role in the appearance of such blooms. Despite their relatively low intrinsic growth rate, copepods were able to control diatoms and microzooplankton development. Microzooplankton efficiently incorporated blooms of small phytoplankton species. These results, combined with previous experiments where nitrogen enrichment induced increases in small phytoplankton biomasses, stress the positive effect of N-enrichment on the microbial food web. Conversely, blooms of large diatom species exemplified the trophic mismatch leading to the accumulation of algal biomass without transfer to higher trophic levels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bakker, C., P. M. J. Herman and M. Vink, 1990. Changes in seasonal succession of phytoplankton induced by the storm-surge barrier in the Oosterschelde (S.W. Netherlands). J. Plankton Res. 12: 947–972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banse, K., 1982. Cell volumes, maximal growth rates of unicellular algae and ciliates in the marine pelagial. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27: 1059–1071.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Boekel, W. H. M., F. C. Hansen, R. Riegman and R. P. M. Bak, 1992. Lysis-induced decline of a Phaeocystis spring bloom and coupling with the microbial food web. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 81: 269–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brussard, C. P. D., R. Riegman, A. A. M. Noordeloos, G. C. CadJe, H. Witte, A. J. Kop, G. Nieuwland, F. C. van Duyl and R. P. M. Bak, 1995. Effects of grazing, sedimentatiom and phytoplankton cell lysis on the structure of a coastal pelagic food web. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 123: 259–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, B. C., J. K. Choi, C. S. Chang and G. H. Hong, 1994. Uncoupling of bacteria and phytoplankton during a spring diatom bloom in the mouth of the Yellow Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 115: 181–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costas, E., 1990. Genetic variablity in growth rates of marine dinoflagellates. Genetica 83: 99–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cushing, D. H., 1989. A difference in structure between ecosystems in strongly stratified waters and in those that are only weakly stratified. J. Plankton Res. 11: 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edler, L. and P. Olsson, 1985. Observations on diel migration of Ceratium forca and Prorocentrum micans in a stratified bay on the Swedish west coast. In: Anderson, White and Baden (eds), Toxic Dinoflagellates. Elsevier, Amsterdam: 195–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Egge, J. K. and D. L. Asknes, 1992. Silicate as regulating nutrient in phytoplankton competition. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 83: 281–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eppley, R. W., O. Holm-Hansen and J. D. H. Strickland, 1968. Some observations on the vertical migration of dinoflagellates. J. Phycol. 4: 333–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escaravage, V., T. C. Prins, A. C. Smaal and J. C. H. Peeters, 1996. The response of phytoplankton communities to phosphorus input reduction in mesocosm experiments. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 198: 55–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Escaravage, V., T. C. Prins, C. Nijdam, A. C. Smaal and J. C. H. Peeters, 1999. Response of phytoplankton communities to nitrogen input reduction in mesocosm experiments. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 179: 187–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gieskes, W. W. C. and G. W. Kraay, 1984. Phytoplankton, its pigments, and primary production at a central North Sea station in May, July and September 1981. Neth. J. Sea Res. 18: 51–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillbricht, M., 1988. Phytoplankton and nutrients in the Helgoland region. Helgol. Meeresunters. 42: 435–467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, J. C., M. R. Dennett and H. Gordin, 1989. Dynamics of herbivorous grazing by the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina. J. Plankton Res. 11: 391–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gradmann, D. and C. M. Boyd, 1995. Membrane voltage of marine phytoplankton, measured in the diatom Coscinodiscus radiatus. Mar. Biol. 123: 645–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, B., P. G. Verity, T. Falkenhaug, K. S. Tande and F. Norrbin, 1994. On the trophic fate of Phaeocystis pouchetii (Harriot). V. Trophic relationships between Phaeocystis and zooplankton: an assessment of methods and size dependence. J. Plankton Res. 16: 487–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, F. C., 1995. Trophic interactions between zooplankton and Phaeocystis cf. globosa. Helgol. Meeresunters. 49: 283–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, F. C. and W. H. M. van Boekel, 1991. Grazing pressure of the calanoid copepod Temora longicornis on a Phaeocystis dominated spring bloom in a Dutch tidal inlet. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 78: 123–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, F. C., M. Reckermann, W. C. M. Klein Breteler and R. Riegman, 1993. Phaeocystis blooming enhanced by copepod predation on protozoa: evidence from incubation experiments. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 102: 51–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, F. C., H. J. Witte and J. Passarge, 1996. Grazing in the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina: size selectivity and preference for calcified Emiliania Huxleyi cells. Aquat Microb Ecol 10: 307–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, P. J., P. K. Bjornsen and B. W. Hansen, 1997. Zooplankton grazing and growth: Scaling the 2–2,000-µm body size range. Limnol. Oceanogr. 42: 687–704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, P. J., H. L. Conway, R. W. Holmes and C. O. Davis, 1977. Marine diatoms grown in chemostats under silicate or ammonium limitation III. Cellular chemical composition and morphology of Chaetoceros debilis, Skeletonema costatum, and Thalassiosira gravida. Mar. Biol. 43: 19–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kigrboe, T., 1998. Population regulation and role of mesozooplankton in shaping marine pelagic food webs. Hydrobiologia 363: 13–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiorboe, T., H. Kaas, B. Kruse, F. Mrhlenberg, P. Tiselius and G. Ertejerg, 1990. The structure of the pelagic food web in relation to water column structure in the Skagerrak. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 59: 19–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein Breteler, W. C. M., H. G. Fransz and S. R. Gonzalez, 1982. Growth and development of four calanoid copepod species under experimental and natural conditions. Neth. J. Sea Res. 16: 195207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein Breteler, W. C. M., N. Shogt and S. R. Gonzalez, 1990. On the role of food quality in grazing and development of life stages, and genetic change of body size during cultivation of pelagic copepods. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 135: 177–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kudo, I., T. Yoshimura, M. Yanada and K. Matsunaga, 2000. Exhaustion of nitrate terminates a phytoplankton bloom in Funka bay, Japan: change in SiO4:NO3 consumption rate during the bloom. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 193: 45–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuiper, J., 1977. Development of North Sea coastal plankton communities in separate plastic bags under identical conditions. Mar. Biol. 44: 97–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot, C., 1983. Factors affecting phytoplankton extracellular release in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 12: 115–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langdon, C., 1988. On the cauess of interspecific differences in the growth-irradiance relationship for phytoplankton. II A general review. J. Plankton Res. 10: 1291–1312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessard, E. J., 1991. The trophic role of heterotrophic dinoflagellatesin diverse marine environments. Mar. Microb. Food Webs 5: 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, D. K., P. B. Tett and G. Novarino, 1994. The spring bloom on the South Western North Sea in 1989. Neth. J. Sea Res. 33: 65–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. K. and T. A. Villareal, 1996. Buoyancy and growth characteristics of three positively buoyant marine diatoms. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 132: 203–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson, P. and E. Granéli, 1991. Observations on diurnal vertical migration and phased cell deivision for three coexisting marine dinofiagellates. J. Plankton Res. 13: 1313–1324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peeters, J. C. H. and L. Peperzak, 1990. Nutrient limitation in the North Sea: a bioassay approach. Neth. J. Sea Res. 26: 61–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peperzak, L., 1993. Daily irradiance governs growth rate and colony formation of Phaeocystis (Prymnesiophyceae). J. Plankton Res. 15: 809–821.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peperzak, L., G. J. Snoeijer, R. Dijkema, W. W. C. Gieskes, J. Joordens, J. C. H. Peeters, C. Schol, E. G. Vrieling and W. Zevenboom, 1996. Development of a Dinophysis acuminata bloom in the River Rhine plume (North Sea). In Yasumoto T., Y. Oshima and Y. Fukuyo (eds), Harmful and Toxic Algal Blooms. Unesco, Sendai: 273–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Peperzak, L., F. Colijn, W. W. C. Gieskes and J. C. H. Peteers, 1998. Development of the diatom-Phaeocystis spring bloom in the Dutch coastal zone of the North Sea: the silicon depletion versus the daily irradiance threshold hypothesis. J. Plankton Res. 20: 517–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prins, T. C., V. Escaravage, A. J. Pouwer, L. P. M. J. Wetsteyn and H. A. Haas, 1995. Description of mesocosms, methods and comparison with North Sea conditions. In Peeters, J. C. H., A. C. Smaal, H. A. Haas and C. H. R. Heip (eds), The Impact of Marine Eutrophication on Phytoplankton and Benthic Suspension Feeders. Progress Report II: Results of Mesocosm Experiments with Reduced N-load and Increased Grazing Pressure. Report RIKZ95.048, NIOO-CEMO 1995–3, Middelburg, The Netherlands: 10–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prins, T. C., V. Escaravage, L. P. M. J. Wetsteyn, J. C. H. Peeters and A. C. Smaal, 1999. Effects of different N- and P-loading on primary and secondary production in an experimental marine ecosystem. Aquat. Ecol. 33: 65–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putt, M. and D. K. Stoecker, 1989. An experimentally determined carbon:volume ratio for marine `oligotrichous’ ciliates from estuarine and coastal waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 34: 1097–1103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rey, F. and H. R. Skjoldal, 1987. Consumption of silicic acid below the euphotic zone by sedimenting diatoms in the Barents Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 36: 307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riegman, R., B. R. Kuipers, A. A. M. Noordeloos and H. J. Witte, 1993. Size-differential control of phytoplankton and the structure of plankton communities. Neth. J. Sea Res. 31: 255–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schollhorn, E. and E. Granéli, 1993. Is the increase of flagellates in coastal waters caused by changes in ratios of N, P and Si? In Smayda, T. J. and Y. Shimizu (eds), Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms in the Sea. Elsevier, Amsterdam: 811–817

    Google Scholar 

  • Schollhorn, E. and E. Granéli, 1996. Influence of different nitrogen to silica ratios and artificial mixing on the structure of a summer phytoplankton community from the Swedish west coast (Gullmar fjord). J. Sea Res. 36: 159–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smayda, T. J., 1978. from phytoplankters to biomass. In Sournia, A. (ed.), Phytoplankton Manual. Unesco Press, Paris: 273–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Smayda, T. J., 1990. Novel and nuisance phytoplankton blooms in the sea: evidence for a global epidemic. In Granéli, E., B. Sundstrgm, L. Edler and D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, Amsterdam: 29–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, U., 1994. Are marine diatoms favoured by high Si:N ratios. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 115: 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steedman, H. F., 1976. General and applied data on formaldehyde fixation and preservation of marine zooplankton. In Steedman, H. F. (ed.), Zooplankton Fixation and Preservation. Monographs on Oceanographic Methodology 4. Unesco Press, Paris: 103–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, F. J., N. J. Taylor and J. R. Walsby, 1985. A bloom of the planktonic diatom, Cerataulina pelagica, off the coast of northeastern New Zealand in 1983, and its contribution to an associated mortality of fish and benthic fauna. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 70: 773–795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utermohl, H., 1958. Zur vervollkommung der quantitativen Phytoplankton Methodik. Mitt. int. Verein. Limnol. 9: 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wassmann, P., 1998. Retention versus export food chains: processes controlling sinking loss from marine pelagic systems. Hydrobiologia 363: 29–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wetsteyn, L. P. M. J. and M. Vink-Lievaart, 1995. Zooplankton dynamics in N-manipulated mesocosms. In Peeters, J. C. H., A. C. Smaal, H. A. Haas and C. H. R. Heip (eds), The Impact of Marine Eutrophication on Phytoplankton and Benthic Suspension Feeders. Progress Report II: Results of Mesocosm Experiments with Reduced N-load and Increased Grazing Pressure. Report RIKZ-95.048, NIOO/CEMO-1995–3, Middelburg: 82–113.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute of Ecology — Centre for Estuarine and Coastal ecology/NIOO-CEMO, Korringaweg 7, 4401 NT, Yerseke, The Netherlands

    V. Escaravage

  2. National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management / RIKZ, The Netherlands

    T. C. Prins

Authors
  1. V. Escaravage
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. C. Prins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Escaravage .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Trondhjem Biological Station, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Olav Vadstein  & Yngvar Olsen  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Escaravage, V., Prins, T.C. (2002). Silicate availability, vertical mixing and grazing control of phytoplankton blooms in mesocosms. In: Vadstein, O., Olsen, Y. (eds) Sustainable Increase of Marine Harvesting: Fundamental Mechanisms and New Concepts. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 167. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3190-4_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3190-4_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-6217-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-3190-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation