Dynamics of microalgal communities in the water-column/sediment interface of the inner shelf off Parana State, Southern Brazil

Queiroz, Ricardo Luiz; Brandini, Frederico Pereira; Pellizzari, Franciane Maria

Abstracts

The composition and biomass of the microalgal community at the water-column/sediment interface on the continental shelf off Parana State (Brazil) were studied every 2 months during 1999. Samples for cell identification and determination of chlorophyll a were taken from the interface layer and at discrete depths up to 4 m above the sediment. Results showed a community mainly formed by benthic and planktonic diatoms >30 µm, benthic diatoms <30 µm and cyanobacteria. Cell densities were generally higher at the interface layer. Resuspension and sedimentation events seemed to be a paramount factor regulating the composition and biomass of these communities, and affected differently cells of different size classes. Cells >30 µm, which accounted for most of the pigment biomass, were resuspended from the interface after turbulent periods, and may take advantage of calm periods to stay and grow at the interface. Small benthic diatoms were more susceptible to wind-induced turbulence occurring in higher densities in the water column just above the water-sediment interface. A cyanobacterial bloom (Trichodesmiun) was observed at these bottom layers in the spring-summer periods.

microalgae; sediment-water interface; Continental Shelf; Southeastern Brazil

A composição geral e a biomassa da comunidade microalgal da interface sedimento/água da plataforma do Estado do Paraná (Brasil) foram estudadas em 1999 em relação ao regime de ventos. A cada dois meses foram coletadas amostras para a identificação de organismos e determinação de clorofila a, na interface água-sedimento e em profundidades discretas, ao longo da coluna d'água, até 4m acima do sedimento. Os resultados obtidos revelaram uma comunidade constituída principalmente por diatomáceas planctônicas e bentônicas maiores que 30 µm, diatomáceas bentônicas menores que 30 µm, e cianobactérias coloniais. As densidades celulares foram geralmente mais altas na interface. Eventos de mistura e sedimentação parecem ser determinantes na regulação da composição e biomassa de tais comunidades. Formas menores, mais susceptíveis à turbulência, dominaram a comunidade de água de fundo na maioria das ocasiões, e foram as mais abundantes na interface apenas em períodos de extrema estabilidade. Células maiores, aparentemente contendo a maior parte do pigmento observado, estiveram presentes em números significativos na interface sedimento/água, e foram profundamente afetadas pela competição com cianobactérias. Períodos de turbulência mais intensa causada por ventos podem desestabilizar tal quadro ressuspendendo os organismos.

microalgas; interface água-sedimento; plataforma continental; Região Sueste do Brasil

Baillie, P. W. & Welsh, B. L. 1980. The effect of tidal ressuspension on the distribution of intertidal epipelic algae in an estuary. Estuar. Coast. Mar. Sci., 10:165-180.
Bao, R.; Varela, M. & Prego, R. 1997. Mesoscale distribution pattern of diatoms in surface sediments as tracers of coastal upwelling of the Galician shelf (NW Iberian Peninsula). Mar. Geol., 144(1-3):117-130.
Blanchard, G. F. 1991. Measurements of meiofauna grazing rates on microphytobenthos: is primary production a limiting factor? J. Expl. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 147:37-46.
Blanchard, G. F. & Montagna, P. A. 1992. Photosynthetic response of natural assemblages of marine benthic microalgae to short- and long-term variations of incident irradiance in Baffin Bay, Texas. J. Phycol., 28:7-14.
Borzone, C. A.; Pezzuto, P. R. & Marone, E. 1999. Oceanographic characteristics of a multi-specific fishing ground of the Central South Brazil Bight. Mar. Ecol., 20 (2):131-146.
Brandini, F. P. 1988. Composição e distribuição do fitoplâncton na Região Sueste e suas relações com as massas d'água (Operação Sueste I - Inverno/ 1982).Ciência & Cult., 40(4):334-341.
Brandini, F. P. 1990. Hydrography and characteristics of the phytoplankton in shelf and oceanic waters off Southeastern Brazil during winter (July/ August 1982) and summer (February/March 1984). Hydrobiologia, 196(2):111-148.
Brandini, F. P.; Moraes, C. & Thamm, C. A. 1989. Shelf break upwelling, subsurface maxima of chlorophyll and nitrite, and vertical distribution of a subtropical nano-microplankton community off southeastern Brazil. In: F. P. Brandini ed. Memórias do III Encontro Brasileiro de Plâncton. Curitiba, UFPR. p. 47-55.
Cahoon, L. B.; Redman, R. S. & Tronzo, C. R. 1990. Benthic microalgal biomass in sediments of Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Est. coast. Shelf Sci., 31:805-816.
Cahoon, L. & Laws, R. 1993. Benthic diatoms from the North Carolina Continental Shelf: Inner and Mid Shelf. J. Phycol., 29:257-263.
Cahoon, L. B. & Cooke, J. 1992. Benthic microalgal production in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 84:185-196.
Capone, D. G.; Zehr, J. P.; Paerl, H. W.; Bergman, B. & Carpenter, E. J. 1997. Trichodesmium, a globally significant marine cyanobacterium. Science, 276:1221-1229.
Carpenter, E. J. 1983. Physiology and ecology of marine planktonic Oscillatoria (Trichodesmium). Mar. Biol. Lett., 4:69-85.
Castro Filho, B. & Miranda, L. B. 1998. Physical oceanography of the western Atlantic continental shelf located between 4°N and 34°S. In: Robinson A.R. & Kenneth H. B. eds. The Sea, New York, John Wiley & Sons, 11:209-251.
Castro Filho, B. M. 1990. Estado atual do conhecimento dos processos físicos das águas da plataforma continental sudeste do Brasil. In: Simpósio de Ecossistemas da costa Sul e Sudeste Brasileira, II. 1990. Anais. Lindóia, São Paulo, ACIESP, 4:1-19.
de Jonge, V. N., 1985. The occurrence of epipsammic diatom populations: A result of interaction between physical sorting of sediment and certain properties of diatom species. Est. coast. Shelf Sci., 21:607-622.
Degens, E. T. 1989. Perspectives on Biogeochemistry. New York, Springer - Verlag. 343p.
Fernandes, L. F. & Brandini, F. P. 2004. Diatoms associations in shelf waters off Parana State, southern Brazil: annual variation in relation to environmental factors. Braz. J. Oceanogr., 52(1):19-34.
Gargas, E. 1970. Measurements of primary production, dark fixation and vertical distribution of the microphytobenthic algae in the Öresund. Ophelia, 8:231-253.
Gianesella-Galvão, S. M. F.; Costa, M. P. F. & Kutner, M. B. 1995. Bloom of the Oscillatoria (Trichodesmium) erythraea (Ehrenberg) Kutz in coastal waters of southwest Atlantic. Publção Esp. Inst. Oceanograf., São Paulo, 11:133-140.
Grant, J. 1988. Intertidal bedforms, sediment transport, and stabilization by benthic microalgae. In: Boer, P. L.; van Gelder, A. & Nio, S. D. eds. Tide-influenced sedimentary environments and facies. Holland, D. Reidel Publ. Co., p. 499-510.
Hopkinson, C. S.; Fallon, R. D.; Jansson, B. & Schubauer, J. P. 1991. Community metabolism and nutrient cycling at Gray's Reef, a hard bottom habitat in the Georgia Bight. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 73:105-120.
Krejci, M. & Lowe, R. 1987. Spatial and temporal variation of epipsammic diatoms in a spring-fed brook. J. Phycol., 23:585-590.
Marone, E. & Camargo, R. 1994. Marés meteorológicas no litoral do Estado do Paraná: o evento de 18 de agosto de 1993. Nerítica, 8:73-85.
Marone, E.; Camargo, R.; Prata, V. P. J. & Klingenfuss, M. 1994. Relatório de campanha de medições físicas: Ilha dos Currais 10-17 janeiro/1994. In: Proposta para categoria e o plano de manejo das ilhas oceânicas do litoral do Paraná. Centro de Estudos do Mar, UFPR.125 p.
MacIntyre, H. L.; Geider, R. J. & Miller, D. C. 1996. Microphytobenthos: The ecological role of the "Secret Garden" of unvegetated, shallow-water marine habitats. I. Distribution, abundance and primary production. Estuaries, 19:186-201.
Muschenchein, D. K. & Newell, C. R. 1992. Utilization of seston flux over a mussel bed. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser., 85:131-136.
Nelson, J. R.; Eckman, J. E.; Robertson, C. Y.; Marinelli, R. L. & Jahnke, R. A. 1999. Benthic microalgal biomass and irradiance at the sea floor on the continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight: Spatial and temporal variability and storm effects. Continent. Shelf Res., 19(4):477-505.
Nilsson, C. & Sundback, K. 1991. Growth and nutrient uptake studied in sand-agar microphytobenthic communities. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 153:207-226.
Nilsson, P.; Jonsson, B.; Swanberg, I. L. & Sundback, K. 1991. Response of a marine shallow-water sediment system to an increasing load of inorganic nutrients. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 71:275-290.
Peterson, B. J. & Howarth, R. W. 1987. Sulfur, Carbon, and Nitrogen isotopes used to trace organic matter flow in the saltmarsh estuaries of Sapelo Island, Georgia. Limnol. Oceanogr., 32:1195-1213.
Pezzuto, P. & Borzone, C. 1997. Relatórios dos cruzeiros do projeto Vieira. Cruzeiros II (15-17 março de 1996) e III (20-22 abril de 1996). Notas Técnicas da FACIMAR, 1:81-88.
Pinckney, J. & Zingmark, R. G. 1991. Effects of tidal stage and sun angles on intertidal benthic microalgal productivity. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 76:81-89.
Pinckney, J. & Zingmark, R. G. 1993. Biomass and production of benthic microalgal communities in estuarine habitats. Estuaries, 16:887-897.
Schreiber, R. A. & Pennock, J. R. 1995. The relative contribution of benthic microalgae to total microalgal production in a shallow sub-tidal estuarine environment. Ophelia, 42:335-352.
Strickland, J. D. H. & Parsons, T. 1972. A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 122:1-172.
Sundback, K. & Snoeijs, P. 1991. Effects of nutrient enrichment on microalgal community composition in a coastal shallow-water sediment system: an experimental study. Botanica mar., 34:341-358.
Taylor, F.; McMinn, A. & Franklin, D. 1997. Distribution of diatoms in surface sdiments of Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Mar. Micropaleont., 32(3-4):209-229.
Utermöhl, H. 1958. Zur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen phytoplankton - Methodik. Mitt int Vertheor. Angew. Limonol., 9:1-38.
Varela, M. & Penas, E. 1985. Primary production of benthic microalgae in an intertidal sand flat of the Ria de Arosa, NW Spain. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 25:111-119.
Veiga, F. A.; Angulo, R. J.; Marone, E.; Brandini, F. P. & Carrilho, J. C. 2003. Medidas de velocidade de corrente e vazão na plataforma continental interna paranaense utilizando perfilador de corrente acústico Doppler - ADCP. In: Congresso da Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Quaternário, 9. Recife, 2003. Resumo Expandido, Recife, ABEQUA/ABRH/INQUA/IPRH, 2003. CD-Room.
Abrahão, R. L. B. E. 2000. Variabilidade diária do zooplâncton e de descritores ambientais no setor euhalino da Baía de Paranaguá no verão e inverno de 1996. Dissertação de Mestrado, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, 65p.
Queiroz, R. L. 2002. Inorganic nitrogen uptake kinetics by estuarine sediment microalgal communities. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Oceanography, Florida State University. 75p.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
16 Jan 2009
Date of issue
Dec 2004

History

Reviewed
01 June 2004
Received
17 Mar 2004
Accepted
31 Aug 2004

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] Baillie, P. W. & Welsh, B. L. 1980. The effect of tidal ressuspension on the distribution of intertidal epipelic algae in an estuary. Estuar. Coast. Mar. Sci., 10:165-180.

[2] Bao, R.; Varela, M. & Prego, R. 1997. Mesoscale distribution pattern of diatoms in surface sediments as tracers of coastal upwelling of the Galician shelf (NW Iberian Peninsula). Mar. Geol., 144(1-3):117-130.

[3] Blanchard, G. F. 1991. Measurements of meiofauna grazing rates on microphytobenthos: is primary production a limiting factor? J. Expl. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 147:37-46.

[4] Blanchard, G. F. & Montagna, P. A. 1992. Photosynthetic response of natural assemblages of marine benthic microalgae to short- and long-term variations of incident irradiance in Baffin Bay, Texas. J. Phycol., 28:7-14.

[5] Borzone, C. A.; Pezzuto, P. R. & Marone, E. 1999. Oceanographic characteristics of a multi-specific fishing ground of the Central South Brazil Bight. Mar. Ecol., 20 (2):131-146.

[6] Brandini, F. P. 1988. Composição e distribuição do fitoplâncton na Região Sueste e suas relações com as massas d'água (Operação Sueste I - Inverno/ 1982).Ciência & Cult., 40(4):334-341.

[7] Brandini, F. P. 1990. Hydrography and characteristics of the phytoplankton in shelf and oceanic waters off Southeastern Brazil during winter (July/ August 1982) and summer (February/March 1984). Hydrobiologia, 196(2):111-148.

[8] Brandini, F. P.; Moraes, C. & Thamm, C. A. 1989. Shelf break upwelling, subsurface maxima of chlorophyll and nitrite, and vertical distribution of a subtropical nano-microplankton community off southeastern Brazil. In: F. P. Brandini ed. Memórias do III Encontro Brasileiro de Plâncton. Curitiba, UFPR. p. 47-55.

[9] Cahoon, L. B.; Redman, R. S. & Tronzo, C. R. 1990. Benthic microalgal biomass in sediments of Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Est. coast. Shelf Sci., 31:805-816.

[10] Cahoon, L. & Laws, R. 1993. Benthic diatoms from the North Carolina Continental Shelf: Inner and Mid Shelf. J. Phycol., 29:257-263.

[11] Cahoon, L. B. & Cooke, J. 1992. Benthic microalgal production in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 84:185-196.

[12] Capone, D. G.; Zehr, J. P.; Paerl, H. W.; Bergman, B. & Carpenter, E. J. 1997. Trichodesmium, a globally significant marine cyanobacterium. Science, 276:1221-1229.

[13] Carpenter, E. J. 1983. Physiology and ecology of marine planktonic Oscillatoria (Trichodesmium). Mar. Biol. Lett., 4:69-85.

[14] Castro Filho, B. & Miranda, L. B. 1998. Physical oceanography of the western Atlantic continental shelf located between 4°N and 34°S. In: Robinson A.R. & Kenneth H. B. eds. The Sea, New York, John Wiley & Sons, 11:209-251.

[15] Castro Filho, B. M. 1990. Estado atual do conhecimento dos processos físicos das águas da plataforma continental sudeste do Brasil. In: Simpósio de Ecossistemas da costa Sul e Sudeste Brasileira, II. 1990. Anais. Lindóia, São Paulo, ACIESP, 4:1-19.

[16] de Jonge, V. N., 1985. The occurrence of epipsammic diatom populations: A result of interaction between physical sorting of sediment and certain properties of diatom species. Est. coast. Shelf Sci., 21:607-622.

[17] Degens, E. T. 1989. Perspectives on Biogeochemistry. New York, Springer - Verlag. 343p.

[18] Fernandes, L. F. & Brandini, F. P. 2004. Diatoms associations in shelf waters off Parana State, southern Brazil: annual variation in relation to environmental factors. Braz. J. Oceanogr., 52(1):19-34.

[19] Gargas, E. 1970. Measurements of primary production, dark fixation and vertical distribution of the microphytobenthic algae in the Öresund. Ophelia, 8:231-253.

[20] Gianesella-Galvão, S. M. F.; Costa, M. P. F. & Kutner, M. B. 1995. Bloom of the Oscillatoria (Trichodesmium) erythraea (Ehrenberg) Kutz in coastal waters of southwest Atlantic. Publção Esp. Inst. Oceanograf., São Paulo, 11:133-140.

[21] Grant, J. 1988. Intertidal bedforms, sediment transport, and stabilization by benthic microalgae. In: Boer, P. L.; van Gelder, A. & Nio, S. D. eds. Tide-influenced sedimentary environments and facies. Holland, D. Reidel Publ. Co., p. 499-510.

[22] Hopkinson, C. S.; Fallon, R. D.; Jansson, B. & Schubauer, J. P. 1991. Community metabolism and nutrient cycling at Gray's Reef, a hard bottom habitat in the Georgia Bight. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 73:105-120.

[23] Krejci, M. & Lowe, R. 1987. Spatial and temporal variation of epipsammic diatoms in a spring-fed brook. J. Phycol., 23:585-590.

[24] Marone, E. & Camargo, R. 1994. Marés meteorológicas no litoral do Estado do Paraná: o evento de 18 de agosto de 1993. Nerítica, 8:73-85.

[25] Marone, E.; Camargo, R.; Prata, V. P. J. & Klingenfuss, M. 1994. Relatório de campanha de medições físicas: Ilha dos Currais 10-17 janeiro/1994. In: Proposta para categoria e o plano de manejo das ilhas oceânicas do litoral do Paraná. Centro de Estudos do Mar, UFPR.125 p.

[26] MacIntyre, H. L.; Geider, R. J. & Miller, D. C. 1996. Microphytobenthos: The ecological role of the "Secret Garden" of unvegetated, shallow-water marine habitats. I. Distribution, abundance and primary production. Estuaries, 19:186-201.

[27] Muschenchein, D. K. & Newell, C. R. 1992. Utilization of seston flux over a mussel bed. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser., 85:131-136.

[28] Nelson, J. R.; Eckman, J. E.; Robertson, C. Y.; Marinelli, R. L. & Jahnke, R. A. 1999. Benthic microalgal biomass and irradiance at the sea floor on the continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight: Spatial and temporal variability and storm effects. Continent. Shelf Res., 19(4):477-505.

[29] Nilsson, C. & Sundback, K. 1991. Growth and nutrient uptake studied in sand-agar microphytobenthic communities. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 153:207-226.

[30] Nilsson, P.; Jonsson, B.; Swanberg, I. L. & Sundback, K. 1991. Response of a marine shallow-water sediment system to an increasing load of inorganic nutrients. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 71:275-290.

[31] Peterson, B. J. & Howarth, R. W. 1987. Sulfur, Carbon, and Nitrogen isotopes used to trace organic matter flow in the saltmarsh estuaries of Sapelo Island, Georgia. Limnol. Oceanogr., 32:1195-1213.

[32] Pezzuto, P. & Borzone, C. 1997. Relatórios dos cruzeiros do projeto Vieira. Cruzeiros II (15-17 março de 1996) e III (20-22 abril de 1996). Notas Técnicas da FACIMAR, 1:81-88.

[33] Pinckney, J. & Zingmark, R. G. 1991. Effects of tidal stage and sun angles on intertidal benthic microalgal productivity. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 76:81-89.

[34] Pinckney, J. & Zingmark, R. G. 1993. Biomass and production of benthic microalgal communities in estuarine habitats. Estuaries, 16:887-897.

[35] Schreiber, R. A. & Pennock, J. R. 1995. The relative contribution of benthic microalgae to total microalgal production in a shallow sub-tidal estuarine environment. Ophelia, 42:335-352.

[36] Strickland, J. D. H. & Parsons, T. 1972. A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 122:1-172.

[37] Sundback, K. & Snoeijs, P. 1991. Effects of nutrient enrichment on microalgal community composition in a coastal shallow-water sediment system: an experimental study. Botanica mar., 34:341-358.

[38] Taylor, F.; McMinn, A. & Franklin, D. 1997. Distribution of diatoms in surface sdiments of Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Mar. Micropaleont., 32(3-4):209-229.

[39] Utermöhl, H. 1958. Zur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen phytoplankton - Methodik. Mitt int Vertheor. Angew. Limonol., 9:1-38.

[40] Varela, M. & Penas, E. 1985. Primary production of benthic microalgae in an intertidal sand flat of the Ria de Arosa, NW Spain. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 25:111-119.

[41] Veiga, F. A.; Angulo, R. J.; Marone, E.; Brandini, F. P. & Carrilho, J. C. 2003. Medidas de velocidade de corrente e vazão na plataforma continental interna paranaense utilizando perfilador de corrente acústico Doppler - ADCP. In: Congresso da Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Quaternário, 9. Recife, 2003. Resumo Expandido, Recife, ABEQUA/ABRH/INQUA/IPRH, 2003. CD-Room.

[42] Abrahão, R. L. B. E. 2000. Variabilidade diária do zooplâncton e de descritores ambientais no setor euhalino da Baía de Paranaguá no verão e inverno de 1996. Dissertação de Mestrado, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, 65p.

[43] Queiroz, R. L. 2002. Inorganic nitrogen uptake kinetics by estuarine sediment microalgal communities. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Oceanography, Florida State University. 75p.