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• Braz. j. oceanogr. 57 (3) • Sept 2009 •

Phytoplankton-aloricate ciliate community in the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina): seasonal patterns and trophic groups

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Abstracts

The seasonal pattern of the phytoplankton-aloricate ciliate community is an adequate indicator of trophic coupling and nutrient cycling in coastal environments. The size-fractionated, abundance, biomass and composition of a phytoplankton-aloricate ciliate community were ascertained in the Bahía Blanca Estuary from February 1994 to February 1995. In addition, ciliate production and excretion rates by size class were estimated. A winter-early spring diatom bloom was the most important event in the annual cycle. To evaluate the significance of phytoplankton size in the food web, <25 µm and > 25 µm fractions of chlorophyll a were determined; the < 25 µm fraction was dominant. To classify the ciliate community in trophic groups, it was divided into volume-size classes, from <10³ µm³to > 10(5) µm³; this wide range of size indicated the potential prey. The smaller ciliates dominated abundance but the larger ones dominated biomass. Values of total ciliates, ranging from 0.2 to 5.2 x 10³ cells L-1 and 0.55 to 83.9 µg C L-1, and levels of total chlorophyll a reached 40.4 µg L-1 and were higher than those recorded for other temperate estuarine systems. The smaller ciliates were potentially important as nitrogen regenerators in summer and spring, when their estimated production was highest. The annual potential production of 3 mg C L-1 represents a reference parameter from which possible changes in the trophic status of this environment could be predicted.

Aloricate ciliates; Phytoplankton; Size-fractioned chlorophyll a; Trophic status; Estuary; Argentina

O padrão sazonal da comunidade de fitoplâncton-ciliados aloricados é um indicador adequado das relações tróficas e reciclagem de nutrientes nos ambientes costeiros. A abundância, biomassa e composição da comunidade de fitoplâncton-ciliados foram determinadas por classes de tamanho durante um ciclo anual no estuário de Bahía Blanca. Além disso, foram estimadas também a produção e as taxas de excreção de ciliados. Uma floração de diatomáceas no período de fim de inverno e início de primavera foi o acontecimento mais importante do ciclo anual. Para avaliar a significância do tamanho do fitoplâncton em relação ao tamanho dos ciliados, foram determinadas as frações de clorofila de < 25µm e > 25 µm. A fração < 25µm foi dominante. As classes de tamanho dos ciliados determinadas entre< 10³ a > 10(5)µm³foram indicadoras dapresença dediferentes grupos tróficos e, consequentemente, da variedade das suas presas potenciais. Os ciliados pequenos dominaram em abundância e os maiores em biomassa. A abundância total de ciliados variou de 0,2 a 5,2 x 10³ células L-1 e de 0,55 a 83,9 µg C L-1. A concentração de clorofila a total de até 40,4 µg L -1 foi superior às registradas em outros sistemas de estuários em regiões temperadas. Os ciliados menores foram importantes como regeneradores de nitrogênio no verão e na primavera, quando a sua produção estimada foi mais alta. A produção potencial anual de 3 mg C L-1 representa um importante parâmetro de referência na qual possíveis mudanças do status trófico deste ambiente podem ser previstas.

Ciliados aloricados; Fitoplâncton; Frações de clorofila a; Status trófico; Estuário; Argentina

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    16 Sept 2009
  • Date of issue
    Sept 2009

History

  • Accepted
    29 May 2009
  • Reviewed
    19 May 2009
  • Received
    19 Dec 2008
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