Antarctica; Ross Sea; nutrient depletion; phytoplankton; phytopigments; nutrient uptake
Abstract :
[en] The present article depicts a first attempt to relate the governing nutrient uptake regime and phytopigment signature of the Ross Sea. Based on nutrient and phytopigment data obtained during two cruises in the Ross Sea, two distinct groups were recognised. The first one was characterised by moderate nutrient nitrate and silicic acid depletions in combination with relatively high diatom and Phaeocystis abundance. The second group showed very low nutrient depletions and very poor diatom abundance. Average depth specific nitrate depletions were 8.1 and 1.1 μM and average silicic acid depletions were 21.5 and 1.3 μM, respectively. The nutrient consumption patterns did not match the conditions of silicic acid excess (SEA) or nitrate excess areas (NEA), a clear trend being probably obscured by very poor seasonal maturity of several sampling stations.
The contrast between both groups is largely explained by small differences in nitrogen uptake regime of the major phytoplankters. During early season, the diatoms meet the majority of their nitrogen requirements by nitrate uptake, with few exceptions where ammonium is the most important nitrogenous substrate. On average, their nitrate uptake capacity is lower than that of Phaeocystis (average specific nitrate uptake rates were 0.021 and 0.036 day y-1 for diatoms and Phaeocystis, respectively). The latter phytoplankton always shows predominance of nitrate uptake. Both groups are subject to inhibition of nitrate uptake when ammonium availability increases, and it is likely that the diatoms are more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of ammonium.
Research Center/Unit :
MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège
(1992) Nitrate plus nitrite in seawater. The Flow Solution Methodology , Doc No. 000630, 8/92 Rev. B; 19.
(1992) Orthophosphate in seawater. The Flow Solution Methodology , Doc No. 000626, 4/92 Rev. A; 16.
(1992) Silica in seawater. The Flow Solution Methodology , Doc No. 000671, 5/92 Rev. A; 16.
Arrigo K.R., McClain C.R. (1994) Spring phytoplankton production in the Western Ross Sea. Science 266:261-263.
Arrigo K.R., Robinson D.H., Worthen D.L., Schieber B., Lizotte M.P. (1998) Bio-optical properties of the southwestern Ross Sea. J. Geophys. Res. 103(C10):21683-21695.
Bathmann U.V., Scharek R., Klaas C., Smetacek V., Dubischar C.D. (1997) Spring development of phytoplankton biomass and composition in major water masses of the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Deep-Sea Res. 44(PART II):51-68.
Bianchi M., Feliatra F., Treguer P., Vincendeau M.A., Morvan J. (1997) Nitrification rates, ammonium and nitrate distribution in upper layers of the water column and in the sediments of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Deep-Sea Res. 44:1017-1032.
Bronk D.A., Glibert P.A., Ward B.B. (1994) Nitrogen uptake, dissolved organic nitrogen release and new production. Science 265:1843-1846.
Bury S.J., Owens N.J., Preston T. (1995) 13C and 15N uptake by phytoplankton in the marginal ice zone of the Bellingshausen Sea. Deep-Sea Res. 42:1225-1252.
Catalano G., Benedetti F., Goffart A., Iorio M. (1991) Distribution of dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity and nutrients in Southern Ocean and Ross Sea (R/V Cariboo 1989-1990 Cruise). Nat. Sc. Com. Ant. , Oceanographic Campaign 1989-90. Data report 1; 11-23.
Catalano G., Predonzani S., Rivaro P., Ruffini S. (1997) Dissolved oxygen and nutrient distribution in the Ross Sea during the 1994 Austral spring (R/V Italica cruise, leg 1)., Faranda, F.M., Guglielmo, L., Povero, P. (Eds.), Nat. Prog. Ant. Res. ROSSMIZE 93-95, Data report I; 111-134.
Claustre H., Kerherve P., Marty J.C., Prieur L., Videau C., Hecq J.H. (1994) Phytoplankton dynamics associated with a geostrophic front: Ecological and biogeochemical implications. J. Mar. Res. 52:711-742.
Comiso J.C., McClain C.R., Sullivan C.W., Ryan J.P., Leonard C.L. (1993) Coastal zone color scanner pigment concentrations in the Southern Ocean and relationships to geophysical surface features. J. Geophys. Res. 98:2419-2451.
Cota G.F., Smith W.O. Jr., Nelson D.M., Muench R.D., Gordon L.I. (1992) Nutrient and biogenic particle distributions, primary productivity and nitrogen uptake in the Weddell-Scotia marginal ice zone during winter. J. Mar. Res. 50:155-181.
Davidson A.T., Marchant H.J. (1992) Protist interactions and carbon dynamics of a Phaeocystis dominated bloom at an Antarctic coastal site. Polar Biol. 12:387-395.
DiTullio G.R., Smith W.O. Jr. (1995) Relationship between dimethylsulfide and phytoplankton pigment concentrations in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Deep-Sea Res. 42:873-892.
DiTullio G.R., Smith W.O. Jr. (1996) Spatial patterns in phytoplankton biomass and pigment distributions in the Ross Sea. J. Geophys. Res. 101(C8):18467-18477.
Dortch Q. (1990) The interaction between ammonium and nitrate uptake in phytoplankton. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 61:183-201.
Dugdale R.C., Goering J.J. (1967) Uptake of new and regenerated forms of nitrogen in primary productivity. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23:196-206.
El-Sayed S.Z., Biggs D.L., Holm-Hansen O. (1983) Phytoplankton standing crop, primary productivity and near-surface nitrogenous nutrient fields in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Deep-Sea Res. 30:871-886.
Eppley R.W., Peterson B.J. (1979) Particulate matter flux and planktonic new production in the deep ocean. Nature 282:677-680.
Fanning K.A. (1992) Nutrient provinces in the sea: Concentration ratios, reaction rate ratios, and ideal covariation. J. Geophys. Res. 97:5693-5712.
Gieskes W.W.C., Kraay G.W. (1986) Analysis of phytoplankton by HPLC before, during and after mass occurrence of the microflagellate Corymbellus aureus during the spring bloom in the open northern North Sea in 1983. Mar. Biol. 92:45-52.
Goeyens L., Semeneh M., Elskens M., Shopova D., Baumann M.E.M., Dehairs F. (1998) Phytoplanktonic nutrient utilization and nutrient signature in the Southern Ocean. J. Mar. Syst. 17:143-157.
Goeyens L., Sorensson F., Treguer P., Morvan J., Panouse M., Dehairs F. (1991) Spatiotemporal variability of inorganic nitrogen stocks and uptake fluxes in the Scotia-Weddell Confluence area during November and December. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 77:7-19.
Goeyens L., Treguer P., Baumann M.E.M., Baeyens W., Dehairs F. (1995) The leading role of ammonium in the nitrogen uptake regime of Southern Ocean marginal ice zones. J. Mar. Syst. 6:345-361.
Goffart A., Catalano G., Hecq J.H. (2000) Factors controlling the distribution of diatoms and Phaeocystis in the Ross Sea. J. Mar. Syst , this issue; 27:161-175.
Gordon A.L., Chen C.T.A., Metcalf W.G. (1984) Winter mixed layer entrainment of Weddell deep water. J. Geophys. Res. 89:637-640.
Hansen H.P., Grasshoff K. (1983) Automated chemical analysis., Grasshoff, K., Ehrhardt, M., Kremling, K. (Eds.), Methods of Seawater Analysis. 2nd edn. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim; 347-379.
Hoppema M., Goeyens L., Fahrbach E. (2000) Intensive nutrient removal in the remote area off Larsen Ice Shelf (Weddell Sea). Polar Biol. 23:85-94.
Jeffrey S.W. (1980) Algal pigment systems., Falkowski, P. (Ed.), Primary Productivity in the Sea. Plenum, New York; 35-58.
Jennings J.C. Jr., Gordon L.I., Nelson D.M. (1984) Nutrient depletion indicates high primary productivity in the Weddell Sea. Nature 309:51-54.
Jones E.P., Nelson D.M., Treguer P. (1990) Chemical oceanography., Smith, W.O. Jr. (Ed.), Polar Oceanography: Part B. Chemistry, Biology and Geology. Academic Press, San Diego; 407-476.
Kamykowsky D., Zentara S.J. (1985) Nitrate and silicic acid in the world ocean: Patterns and processes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 26:47-59.
Kamykowsky D., Zentara S.J. (1989) Circumpolar plant nutrient covariation in the Southern Ocean: Patterns and processes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 58:101-111.
Karl D.M., Tilbrook B.D., Tien G. (1991) Seasonal coupling of organic matter production and particle flux in the western Bransfield Strait, Antartica. Deep-Sea Res. 38:1097-1126.
Koike I., Holm-Hansen O., Biggs D.C. (1986) Inorganic nitrogen metabolism by antarctic phytoplankton with special Ref. to ammonium cycling. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 30:105-116.
Kristiansen S., Syvertsen E.E., Farbrot T. (1992) Nitrogen uptake in the Weddell Sea during late winter and spring. Polar. Biol. 12:145-251.
Lancelot C., Keller M.D., Rousseau V., Smith W.O. Jr., Mathot S. (1998) Autecology of the marine haptophyte Phaeocystis sp., Anderson, D.M., Cembella, A.D., Hallegraef, G.M. (Eds.), Physiological Ecology of Harmful Blooms. NATO ASI Series, Springer-Verlag, Berlin; 41 G:209-224.
Le Corre P., Minas M.J. (1983) Distributions et evolution des elements nutritifs dans le secteur Indien de l'Ocean Antarctique en fin de periode estivale. Oceanol. Acta 6:365-381.
Leventer A., Dunbar R.B. (1996) Factors influencing the distribution of diatoms and other algae in the Ross Sea. J. Geophys. Res. 101(C8):18489-18500.
Lipizer M., Catalano G. (1999) Nitrogen assimilation and new production in a Spring Bloom in the Ross Sea. (Cruise of R/V Italica, 1994)., Faranda, F.M, Guglielmo, L., Povero, P. (Eds.), Nat. Prog. Ant. Res. ROSSMIZE 93-95, Data report II; .
Mathot S., Dandois J.M., Lancelot C. (1992) Gross and net primary production in the Scotia-Weddell Sea sector of the Southern Ocean during spring 1988. Polar Biol. 12:321-332.
Nelson D.A., Smith W.O. Jr. (1986) Phytoplankton bloom dynamics of the western Ross ice edge: II. Mesoscale cycling of nitrogen and silicon. Deep-Sea Res. 33:1389-1412.
Nelson D.M., Smith W.O. Jr., Gordon L.I., Huber B.A. (1987) Spring distributions of density, nutrients, and phytoplankton biomass in the ice edge zone of the Weddell-Scotia Sea. J. Geophys. Res. 92:7181-7190.
Olson R.J. (1980) Nitrate and ammonium uptake in Antarctic waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25:1064-1074.
Owens N.J.P. (1988) Rapid and total automation of shipboard 15N analysis: Examples from the North Sea. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 122:163-171.
Owens N.J.P., Priddle J., Whitehouse M.J. (1991) Variations in phytoplanktonic nitrogen assimilation around South Georgia and in Bransfield Strait (Southern Ocean). Mar. Chem. 35:287-304.
Owens N.J.P., Rees A.P. (1989) Determination of 15N at sub-microgram levels of nitrogen using automated continuous-flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. Analyst 114:1657-1665.
Palmisano A.C., Soohoo J.B., SooHoo S.L., Kottmeier S.T., Craft L.L., Sullivan C.W. (1986) Photoadaptation in Phaeocystis pouchetii advected beneath the sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antartica. J. Plankton Res. 8:891-906.
Queguiner B., Treguer P., Peeken I., Scharek R. (1997) Biogeochemical dynamics and the silicon cycle in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean during austral spring 1992. Deep-Sea Res. II 44:69-90.
Rubin S.I., Takahashi T., Chipman D.W., Goddard J.G. (1998) Primary productivity and nutrient utilization ratios in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean based on seasonal changes in seawater chemistry. Deep-Sea Res. I 45:1211-1234.
Sakshaug E., Holm-Hansen O. (1984) Factors governing pelagic production in polar oceans., Holm-Hansen, O., Bolin, B., Gilles, R. (Eds.), Marine Phytoplankton and Productivity. Springer-Verlag, Berlin; 1-18.
Semeneh M., Dehairs F., Elskens M., Baumann M.E.M., Kopczynska E.E., Lancelot C., Goeyens L. (1998) Nitrogen uptake regime and phytoplankton community structure in the Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. J. Mar. Syst. 17:159-177.
Semeneh M., Dehairs F., Fiala M., Elskens M., Goeyens L. (1998) Seasonal variation of phytoplankton community structure and nitrogen uptake regime in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Polar Biol. 20:259-272.
Smith W.O. Jr., Sakshaug E. (1990) Polar phytoplankton., Smith, W.O Jr. (Ed.), Polar Oceanography: Part B. Chemistry, Biology and Geology. Academic Press, San Diego; 477-525.
Smith W.O. Jr., Nelson D.M., DiTullio G.R., Leventer A.R. (1996) Temporal and spatial patterns in the Ross Sea: Phytoplankton biomass, elemental composition, productivity and growth rates. J. Geophys. Res. 101(C8):18455-18465.
Sullivan C.W., McClain C.R., Comiso J.C., Smith W.O. Jr. (1988) Phytoplankton standing crops within an Antarctic ice edge assessed by satellite remote sensing. J. Geophys. Res. 93:12487-12498.
Treguer P., Jacques G. (1992) Dynamics of nutrients and phytoplankton, and fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and silicon in the Antarctic Ocean. Polar Biol. 12:149-162.
Treguer P., Le Corre P. Manuel d'analyse des sels nutritifs dans l'eau de mer, Universite de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France, 110 pp.; 1975.
Wilkerson F.P., Dugdale R.C. (1992) Measurements of nitrogen productivity in the Equatorial Pacific. J. Geophys. Res. 97(C1):669-679.
Williams R., Claustre H. (1991) Photosynthetic pigments as biomarkers of phytoplankton populations and processes involved in the transformation of particulate organic matter at the Biotrans site (47°N, 20°W). Deep-Sea Res. 38:347-355.
