Bacterial and phytoplankton production in the maximum turbidity zone of three European estuaries: the Elbe, Westerschelde and Gironde
Goosen, N.K.; Kromkamp, J.; Peene, J.; Van Rijswijk, P.; van Breugel, P. (1999). Bacterial and phytoplankton production in the maximum turbidity zone of three European estuaries: the Elbe, Westerschelde and Gironde. J. Mar. Syst. 22(2-3): 151-171. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0924-7963(99)00038-X
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Nannoplankton
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms
Biological production > Primary production
Organic matter
Organic matter > Particulates > Particulate organic matter > Organic carbon > Particulate organic carbon
Properties > Physical properties > Turbidity
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
ANE, France, Gironde Estuary [Marine Regions]; ANE, Germany, Elbe Estuary [Marine Regions]; ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
bacteria; bacterial production; estuaries; maximum turbidity zone;phytoplankton; primary production |
| Authors | | Top |
- Goosen, N.K., more
- Kromkamp, J.
- Peene, J., more
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- Van Rijswijk, P., more
- van Breugel, P.
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| Abstract |
Biomass and production of phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in spring are presented for three turbid European estuaries, the Elbe (Germany), the Westerschelde (The Netherlands) and the Gironde (France), with emphasis on the effect of turbidity on microbial community densities and activities. Total suspended matter (TSM) concentrations were highest in the Gironde estuary and lowest in the Elbe estuary. Maximum concentrations were found in the maximum turbidity zone (MTZ). Both primary production (PP) and bacterial production (BP) showed a longitudinal gradient with lowest PP and highest BP in the MTZ. Production rates of both phytoplankton and bacterioplankton were lowest in the Gironde and highest in the Westerschelde. PP was positively correlated with the depth of the euphotic zone while BP was positively correlated with TSM and particulate organic carbon. The POC/TSM-ratio, which is related to the degradability of organic carbon, was differed between the three estuaries and was highest in the Westerschelde. The ratio BP:PP was generally very high (> 1), and maximal in the MTZ (> 4), illustrating the heterotrophic nature of the estuarine ecosystems. Due to the extremely high turbidity in the Gironde, the contribution of bacterial carbon to total microbial biomass (bacteria + algae) was > 50%. We conclude that the MTZ has a pronounced impact on the structure and functioning of the microbial community leading to an increased importance of heterotrophic processes and increased degradation of organic material. |
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