Ecological studies in the Bay of Paranaguá: I. horizontal distribution and seasonal dynamics of the phytoplankton

Abstracts

Five stations were sampled monthly in the Bay of Paranaguá during one year cycle (1983-1984) to measure basic environmental parameters, phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis with the purpose of understanding the principal factors that regulate the phytoplankton growth and distribution throughout the year. Surface temperature varied from 17 to 30ºC. The yearly average values for salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH ranged from 9.38 to 32.00‰, 5.17 to 5.53 ml/l and 7.46 to 8.18, respectively. Average concentrations of total inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate varied from 3.31 to 8.48, 0.38 to 0.97 and 27.68 to 98.36 µg-at/l, respectively, with increasing concentrations toward the inner bay. Chlorophyll-a at the surface varied between 2.86 and 13.99 mg/m³ with high concentrations in the inner bay associated with high nutrient contents and lower salinities. Low photosynthetic rates were measured at the surface, varying from 0.01 to 7.36 mgC/m³/h. Phytoflagellates and Skeletonema costatum dominated the phytoplankton population during the study period. The temporal fluctuations in the inner bay are associated with the rainfall regime. High amounts of precipitation increase the concentrations of nutrients and consequently improve the phytoplankton growth. This is however limited by nitrogen deficiency (as indicated by the low N to P ratios observed) and turbidity.

Mangrove swamps; Phytoplankton; Horizontal distribution; Biomass; Photosynthesis; Environmental factors; Paranaguá Bay

Foram feitas coletas mensais na Baia de Paranaguá (Paraná) em 5 estações fixas durante um ano (1983-1984) para se medir parâmetros ambientais básicos, biomassa e fotossíntese do fitoplâncton durante um período sazonal. A temperatura na superfície variou de 17 a 30ºC. As médias anuais de salinidade, oxigênio dissolvido e pH variaram de 9,38-32,00‰, 5,17-5,53 ml/l e 7,468,18, respectivamente. As concentrações médias do nitrogênio inorgânico total, fosfato e silicato variaram de 3,31-8,48, 0,38-0,97 e 27,68-98,36 µg-at/l, respectivamente, com os máximos obtidos na parte mais interna da baia. A clorofila-a na superfície variou entre 2,86 e 13,99 mg/m³ com máximos na parte mais interna da baía associadas às altas concentrações de nutrientes e salinidades mais baixas. As taxas de fotossíntese obtidas na superfície variaram entre 0,01 e 7,36 mgC/m³/h, com máximos na região mais interna da baía. Fitoflagelados e Skeletonema costatum dominaram a populaçao fitoplanctonica durante o período estudado. As variações temporais no interior da baía foram associadas ao regime de chuvas. A alta pluviosidade aumenta a concentração de nutrientes e conseqüentemente, estimula o desenvolvimento do fitoplâncton que é, no entanto, limitado pela deficiência em nitrogênio e pela turbidez da água.

Manguezais; Fitoplâncton; Distribuição horizontal; Biomassa; Fotossíntese; Fatores ambientais; Baía de Paranaguá

ARTIGOS

Ecological studies in the Bay of Paranaguá: I. horizontal distribution and seasonal dynamics of the phytoplankton

Frederico P. Brandini

Centro de Biologia Marinha da Universidade Federal do Paraná (Caixa Postal 8341, 80.000 Curitiba, PR)

SYNOPSIS

Five stations were sampled monthly in the Bay of Paranaguá during one year cycle (1983-1984) to measure basic environmental parameters, phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis with the purpose of understanding the principal factors that regulate the phytoplankton growth and distribution throughout the year. Surface temperature varied from 17 to 30ºC. The yearly average values for salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH ranged from 9.38 to 32.00‰, 5.17 to 5.53 ml/l and 7.46 to 8.18, respectively. Average concentrations of total inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate varied from 3.31 to 8.48, 0.38 to 0.97 and 27.68 to 98.36 µg-at/l, respectively, with increasing concentrations toward the inner bay. Chlorophyll-a at the surface varied between 2.86 and 13.99 mg/m³ with high concentrations in the inner bay associated with high nutrient contents and lower salinities. Low photosynthetic rates were measured at the surface, varying from 0.01 to 7.36 mgC/m³/h. Phytoflagellates and Skeletonema costatum dominated the phytoplankton population during the study period. The temporal fluctuations in the inner bay are associated with the rainfall regime. High amounts of precipitation increase the concentrations of nutrients and consequently improve the phytoplankton growth. This is however limited by nitrogen deficiency (as indicated by the low N to P ratios observed) and turbidity.

Descriptors: Mangrove swamps, Phytoplankton, Horizontal distribution, Biomass, Photosynthesis, Environmental factors, Paranaguá Bay: Brazil.

RESUMO

Foram feitas coletas mensais na Baia de Paranaguá (Paraná) em 5 estações fixas durante um ano (1983-1984) para se medir parâmetros ambientais básicos, biomassa e fotossíntese do fitoplâncton durante um período sazonal. A temperatura na superfície variou de 17 a 30ºC. As médias anuais de salinidade, oxigênio dissolvido e pH variaram de 9,38-32,00‰, 5,17-5,53 ml/l e 7,468,18, respectivamente. As concentrações médias do nitrogênio inorgânico total, fosfato e silicato variaram de 3,31-8,48, 0,38-0,97 e 27,68-98,36 µg-at/l, respectivamente, com os máximos obtidos na parte mais interna da baia. A clorofila-a na superfície variou entre 2,86 e 13,99 mg/m³ com máximos na parte mais interna da baía associadas às altas concentrações de nutrientes e salinidades mais baixas. As taxas de fotossíntese obtidas na superfície variaram entre 0,01 e 7,36 mgC/m³/h, com máximos na região mais interna da baía. Fitoflagelados e Skeletonema costatum dominaram a populaçao fitoplanctonica durante o período estudado. As variações temporais no interior da baía foram associadas ao regime de chuvas. A alta pluviosidade aumenta a concentração de nutrientes e conseqüentemente, estimula o desenvolvimento do fitoplâncton que é, no entanto, limitado pela deficiência em nitrogênio e pela turbidez da água.

Descritores: Manguezais, Fitoplâncton, Distribuição horizontal, Biomassa, Fotossíntese, Fatores ambientais, Baía de Paranaguá: PR.

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Acknowledgements

I thank my colleague Carola Thamn for her help and co-operation during the field work and technical analyses, Luiza Hollmann for typing the manuscript and Dr F. D. Por for reviewing it. I also thank the International Bureau of the GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht and the Institut für Meereskunde an der Universität Kiel for providing part of the laboratory equipment. This work was substantially supported by the CNPq grant 40.3911/82.

(Received 19-Apr-85; accepted 29-Dec-85)

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  04 June 2012
• Date of issue
  1985

History

• Accepted
  29 Dec 1985
• Received
  19 Apr 1985