Effects of different plankton communities and spring bloom phases on seston C:N:P:Si:chl a ratios in the Baltic Sea

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. 15-31
Author(s):  
T Lipsewers ◽  
R Klais ◽  
MT Camarena-Gómez ◽  
K Spilling
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Generalized Additive Models ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Plankton Communities

Plankton communities and their temporal development have shifted towards earlier onset of the spring bloom and lower diatom-dinoflagellate proportions in parts of the Baltic Sea. We studied the effects of community composition and spring bloom phases on seston nutrient stoichiometry, revealing possible consequences of these shifts. Community composition, seston C:N:P:Si:chl a ratios, and physiological and environmental variables were determined for 4 research cruises, covering all major sub-basins and bloom phases. A redundancy analysis revealed that temperature and inorganic nutrients were the main drivers of community changes, and high diatom biomass was linked to low temperatures (growth phase). The effects of changing dominance patterns on seston stoichiometry were studied by applying a community ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling and generalized additive models). C:N:P ratios increased from the growth phase (103:14:1) to the peak phase (144:18:1) and decreased after inorganic nitrogen was depleted (127:17:1). Taxonomic differences explained ~50% of changes in C:Si, N:Si, and chl a:C ratios and <30% for C:P and N:P, whereas C:N was virtually unaffected by the community composition. The fixed chl a:C range (~0.005-0.04) was largely determined by diatoms, independent of the dominant species. Thus, C:Si and N:Si could be used to estimate the share of diatoms to the seston and chl a:C to describe bloom phases and C budgets during spring. Interestingly, mixed communities featured higher C:N:P ratios than diatom-dominated ones. However, as community composition explained <30% of changes in C:N:P, we conclude that these ratios rather represent the total plankton physiology in natural plankton assemblages.

Consequences of increased temperature and acidification on bacterioplankton community composition during a mesocosm spring bloom in the Baltic Sea

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus V. Lindh ◽  
Lasse Riemann ◽  
Federico Baltar ◽  
Claudia Romero-Oliva ◽  
Paulo S. Salomon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Bacterioplankton Community ◽  
Increased Temperature ◽  
The Baltic

Modelling indices of abundance and size-based indicators of cod and flounder stocks in the Baltic Sea using newly standardized trawl survey data

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 1322-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Orio ◽  
Ann-Britt Florin ◽  
Ulf Bergström ◽  
Ivo Šics ◽  
Tatjana Baranova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Generalized Additive Models ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
The Baltic

Standardized indices of abundance and size-based indicators are of extreme importance for monitoring fish population status. The main objectives of the current study were to (i) combine and standardize recently performed trawl survey with historical ones, (ii) explore and discuss the trends in abundance, and (iii) the trends in maximum length (Lmax) for cod (Gadus morhua) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) stocks in the Baltic Sea. Standardization of catch per unit of effort (CPUE) from trawl surveys from 1978 to 2014 to swept area per unit of time was conducted using information on trawling speed and horizontal opening of the trawls. CPUE data for cod and flounder stocks were modelled using generalized additive models (GAMs) in a delta modelling approach framework, while the Lmax data were modelled using ordinary GAMs. The CPUE time series of the Eastern Baltic cod stock closely resembles the spawning stock biomass trend from analytical stock assessment. The results obtained furnish evidence of the cod spill-over from Subdivisions (SD) 25–28 to SD 24. The decline of Lmax in recent years was evident for both species in all the stocks analysed indicating that the demersal fish community is becoming progressively dominated by small individuals. It is concluded that the standardization of long time series of fisheries-independent data constitutes a powerful tool that could help improve our knowledge on the dynamics of fished populations, thus promoting a long-term sustainable use of these marine resources.

scholarly journals Assessment of a physical-biogeochemical coupled model system for operational service in the Baltic Sea

Ocean Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Wan ◽  
J. She ◽  
M. Maar ◽  
L. Jonasson ◽  
J. Baasch-Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Model Errors ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Operational Service

Abstract. Thanks to the abundant observation data, we are able to deploy the traditional point-to-point comparison and statistical measures in combination with a comprehensive model validation scheme to assess the skills of the biogeochemical model ERGOM in providing an operational service for the Baltic Sea. The model assessment concludes that the operational products can resolve the main observed seasonal features for phytoplankton biomass, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic phosphorus and dissolved oxygen in euphotic layers as well as their vertical profiles. This assessment reflects that the model errors of the operational system at the current stage are mainly caused by insufficient light penetration, excessive organic particle export downward, insufficient regional adaptation and some from improper initialization. This study highlights the importance of applying multiple schemes in order to assess model skills rigidly and identify main causes for major model errors.

scholarly journals Climate Driven Changes in Timing, Composition and Magnitude of the Baltic Sea Phytoplankton Spring Bloom

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olle Hjerne ◽  
Susanna Hajdu ◽  
Ulf Larsson ◽  
Andrea S. Downing ◽  
Monika Winder
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Secondary Production ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
High Water ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Phytoplankton Blooms ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Benthic Secondary Production ◽  
The Baltic

Spring phytoplankton blooms contribute a substantial part to annual production, support pelagic and benthic secondary production and influence biogeochemical cycles in many temperate aquatic systems. Understanding environmental effects on spring bloom dynamics is important for predicting future climate responses and for managing aquatic systems. We analyzed long-term phytoplankton data from one coastal and one offshore station in the Baltic Sea to uncover trends in timing, composition and size of the spring bloom and its correlations to environmental variables. There was a general trend of earlier phytoplankton blooms by 1–2 weeks over the last 20 years, associated with more sunshine and less windy conditions. High water temperatures were associated with earlier blooms of diatoms and dinoflagellates that dominate the spring bloom, and decreased diatom bloom magnitude. Overall bloom timing, however, was buffered by a temperature and ice related shift in composition from early blooming diatoms to later blooming dinoflagellates and the autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum. Such counteracting responses to climate change highlight the importance of both general and taxon-specific investigations. We hypothesize that the predicted earlier blooms of diatoms and dinoflagellates as a response to the expected temperature increase in the Baltic Sea might also be counteracted by more clouds and stronger winds. A shift from early blooming and fast sedimenting diatoms to later blooming groups of dinoflagellates and M. rubrum at higher temperatures during the spring period is expected to increase energy transfers to pelagic secondary production and decrease spring bloom inputs to the benthic system, resulting in lower benthic production and reduced oxygen consumption.

scholarly journals Shifting Diatom—Dinoflagellate Dominance During Spring Bloom in the Baltic Sea and its Potential Effects on Biogeochemical Cycling

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Spilling ◽  
Kalle Olli ◽  
Jouni Lehtoranta ◽  
Anke Kremp ◽  
Letizia Tedesco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Biogeochemical Cycling ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
The Baltic

scholarly journals Response of <i>Nodularia spumigena</i> to <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> – Part 1: Growth, production and nitrogen cycling

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2973-2988 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Wannicke ◽  
S. Endres ◽  
A. Engel ◽  
H.-P. Grossart ◽  
M. Nausch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
High Pco2 ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Nodularia Spumigena ◽  
Co2 Concentrations ◽  
Elemental Stoichiometry ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract. Heterocystous cyanobacteria of the genus Nodularia form extensive blooms in the Baltic Sea and contribute substantially to the total annual primary production. Moreover, they dispense a large fraction of new nitrogen to the ecosystem when inorganic nitrogen concentration in summer is low. Thus, it is of ecological importance to know how Nodularia will react to future environmental changes, in particular to increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and what consequences there might arise for cycling of organic matter in the Baltic Sea. Here, we determined carbon (C) and dinitrogen (N2) fixation rates, growth, elemental stoichiometry of particulate organic matter and nitrogen turnover in batch cultures of the heterocystous cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena under low (median 315 μatm), mid (median 353 μatm), and high (median 548 μatm) CO2 concentrations. Our results demonstrate an overall stimulating effect of rising pCO2 on C and N2 fixation, as well as on cell growth. An increase in pCO2 during incubation days 0 to 9 resulted in an elevation in growth rate by 84 ± 38% (low vs. high pCO2) and 40 ± 25% (mid vs. high pCO2), as well as in N2 fixation by 93 ± 35% and 38 ± 1%, respectively. C uptake rates showed high standard deviations within treatments and in between sampling days. Nevertheless, C fixation in the high pCO2 treatment was elevated compared to the other two treatments by 97% (high vs. low) and 44% (high vs. mid) at day 0 and day 3, but this effect diminished afterwards. Additionally, elevation in carbon to nitrogen and nitrogen to phosphorus ratios of the particulate biomass formed (POC : POP and PON : POP) was observed at high pCO2. Our findings suggest that rising pCO2 stimulates the growth of heterocystous diazotrophic cyanobacteria, in a similar way as reported for the non-heterocystous diazotroph Trichodesmium. Implications for biogeochemical cycling and food web dynamics, as well as ecological and socio-economical aspects in the Baltic Sea are discussed.

High-resolution dynamics of the spring bloom in the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea

2014 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 135-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga Lips ◽  
Nelli Rünk ◽  
Villu Kikas ◽  
Aet Meerits ◽  
Urmas Lips
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Gulf Of Finland ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Gulf Of Finland

scholarly journals No observed effect of ocean acidification on nitrogen biogeochemistry in a summer Baltic Sea plankton community

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3901-3913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allanah J. Paul ◽  
Eric P. Achterberg ◽  
Lennart T. Bach ◽  
Tim Boxhammer ◽  
Jan Czerny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Plankton Community ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Filamentous Cyanobacteria ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
N Supply ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract. Nitrogen fixation by filamentous cyanobacteria supplies significant amounts of new nitrogen (N) to the Baltic Sea. This balances N loss processes such as denitrification and anammox, and forms an important N source supporting primary and secondary production in N-limited post-spring bloom plankton communities. Laboratory studies suggest that filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacteria growth and N2-fixation rates are sensitive to ocean acidification, with potential implications for new N supply to the Baltic Sea. In this study, our aim was to assess the effect of ocean acidification on diazotroph growth and activity as well as the contribution of diazotrophically fixed N to N supply in a natural plankton assemblage. We enclosed a natural plankton community in a summer season in the Baltic Sea near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland in six large-scale mesocosms (volume ∼ 55 m3) and manipulated fCO2 over a range relevant for projected ocean acidification by the end of this century (average treatment fCO2: 365–1231 µatm). The direct response of diazotroph growth and activity was followed in the mesocosms over a 47 day study period during N-limited growth in the summer plankton community. Diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacteria abundance throughout the study period and N2-fixation rates (determined only until day 21 due to subsequent use of contaminated commercial 15N-N2 gas stocks) remained low. Thus estimated new N inputs from diazotrophy were too low to relieve N limitation and stimulate a summer phytoplankton bloom. Instead, regeneration of organic N sources likely sustained growth in the plankton community. We could not detect significant CO2-related differences in neither inorganic nor organic N pool sizes, or particulate matter N : P stoichiometry. Additionally, no significant effect of elevated CO2 on diazotroph activity was observed. Therefore, ocean acidification had no observable impact on N cycling or biogeochemistry in this N-limited, post-spring bloom plankton assemblage in the Baltic Sea.

scholarly journals Future Riverine Inorganic Nitrogen Load to the Baltic Sea From Sweden: An Ensemble Approach to Assessing Climate Change Effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1674-1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Teutschbein ◽  
R. A. Sponseller ◽  
T. Grabs ◽  
M. Blackburn ◽  
E. W. Boyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Ensemble Approach ◽  
The Baltic
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