Phytoplankton as an indicator of the current ecological status of the Ob River

The species composition, taxonomic structure, and the dominant complex of algae, and the distribution of phytoplankton abundance in the studied watercourse were identified based on data obtained for phytoplankton from the Ob River (from Tomsk to Salekhard) in summer 2019. Green algae (division Chlorophyta) make up the basis of the phytoplankton abundance in the river. The dominant complex is represented mainly by centric diatoms (genera Aulaсoseira, Cyclotella, Stephanodiscus) and non-heterocyst forms of cyanoprokaryotes (genus Aphanocapsa). The numbers and biomass of phytoplankton gradually decrease downstream of the Ob River; below the confluence of the Irtysh River, the edge effect occurs: increase in the diversity and density of organisms at the boundaries of ecosystems. Compared to the previous studies, the proportion of green and euglena algae, and cyanoprokaryotes in the taxonomic spectrum of phytoplankton increased, the composition of the dominant complex enriched, including due to non-heterocyst forms of cyanoprokaryotes, and the trophic status of the river increased to the category of eutrophic waters.

New data on the flora of Centrophyceae (Bacillariophyta) in the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland (Russia)

This scanning electron microscopy study of phytoplankton from the Neva Bay and analysis of valve images from S.I. Genkal’s iconotheka have provided new data on centric diatoms of the Neva Bay. Representatives of the genera Aulacoseira scalaris and Stephanodiscus lacustris, new to the flora of the Bay, have been identified. The systematic position and distribution of 14 species and varieties of Centrophyceae from the genera Aulacoseira, Conticribra, Cyclostephanos, Ellerbeckia, Handmannia, Pantocsekiella, Stephanodiscus, Thalassiosira have been refined and specified. The species composition of the class Centrophyceae of the Neva Bay has been expanded. Now it includes 42 species and varieties from 17 genera.

Centric diatom diversity in the lower part of the Southern Bug river (Ukraine): the transitional zone at Mykolaiv city

The diversity of centric diatoms is documented for the transitional zone of the lower part of the Southern Bug River (Ukraine) just before entering the Dnipro-Bug Estuary and compared to earlier results from the upstream sampling sites of the same river system. Benthic samples of the following sites were investigated: north of Mykolaiv City (approximately 5 km), in Mykolaiv City (near Varvarivskyi Bridge), and 5 km south of the city. Twenty-four centric diatom taxa belonging to 11 genera were identified, analysed, and documented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). Among them, Aulacoseira nivalis is the first report for Ukraine, A. islandica and is the first confirmed record for the studied area since the 1930s. The maximum number of centric diatom taxa found in one station was 21, the minimum 10. Melosira subglobosa was the most common (documented in 57–80% of sites with centric diatoms) and abundant species 7.3–15.7% in relative abundance to all diatom taxa. The discovered diversity of taxa and its comparison with previous results is discussed with regard to the relevance of estuary zones in the research of diatoms.

Cell carbon content and biomass assessments of dinoflagellates and diatoms in the oceanic ecosystem of the Southern Gulf of Mexico

This study assessed the cell carbon content and biomass for genera of dinoflagellates and diatoms in the oceanic ecosystem of the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Carbon content estimates were based on biovolume calculations derived from linear dimension measurements of individual cells and the approximate geometric body shape of each genus. Then, biomass assessments were performed for both groups in two gulf regions (Perdido and Coatzacoalcos) using these carbon content factors and cell abundances. After four seasonal cruises, 11,817 cells of dinoflagellates and 3,412 cells of diatoms were analyzed. Diverse body shapes and cell sizes were observed among 46 dinoflagellate genera and 37 diatom genera. Nano-cells of dinoflagellates (68% <20 μm) and micro-cells of diatoms (77% 20–200 μm, mostly 50–75 μm) were predominant. According to this cell-size structure, on average, diatoms contained 40% more carbon per cell than dinoflagellates. Contrasting carbon content estimates were observed within the genera of both microalgae. Large carbon averages (>10,000 pg C cell-1) were attributed to Gonyaulacal and some occasional genera of dinoflagellates (e.g., Pyrocystis and Noctiluca) and centric diatoms. In contrast, values up to 3 orders of magnitude lower were found for Peridinial and Gymnodinial dinoflagellates and pennate diatoms. Based on these carbon content estimates, which can be considered representative for most of this oceanic ecosystem, seasonal and regional differences were found in the biomass assessments conducted for these functional groups. Overall, dinoflagellates (mostly low-carbon Gymnodinales) had larger depth-integrated biomass than diatoms (mainly rich-carbon centric forms) within the euphotic zone. An exception to it was the late-summer cruise at the Coatzacoalcos region when a surface bloom of centric diatoms was observed in stations influenced by river runoff. This work contributes useful reference information for future ecological studies and models for understanding the biogeochemical functioning of this open-ocean ecosystem.

Freshwater centric diatoms from Middle Miocene deposits of the Khanka Depression, Primorye Territory (Far East of Russia)

The centric diatom flora from the Middle Miocene deposits of the Khanka Depression of Primorye (Far East of Russia) was in detail studied. The centric diatoms were presented by 10 species and intraspecies taxa belonging to four genera (Aulacoseira Thwaites, Alveolophora Moiseeva et Nevretdinova, Ellerbeckia Crawford, Melosira Agard) and three orders (Aulacoseirales, Paraliales and Melosirales). A detailed study with the use of LM and SEM allowed us to establish the high morphologic variability of the predominant representatives of the genus Aulacoseira. The diagnoses for the Alveolophora tscheremissinovae, Ellerbeckia kochii, Melosira undulata species were supplemented. The comparison of the taxonomic compositions of the centric diatoms from the Khanka complex with the even-aged complexes from other regions has shown the wide spreading of the genus Aulacoseira taxa in the freshwater bodies during this time period.

Valve morphogenesis in selected centric diatoms

The traditional taxonomic affiliation of the diatom Ardissonea crystallina (C. Agardh) Grunow has been recently questioned, as it exhibits a mixture of polar centric and araphid pennate characters. Overall valve architecture and mode of sexual reproduction suggest that araphid pennates are its closest relatives. On the other hand, recovered molecular phylogenies consistently place it among the polar centrics. Our investigation of the earliest stages of valve morphogenesis, formation of the basal silica layer, adds to the argument that A. crystallina is indeed a polar centric diatom. We compared developmental stages in A. crystallina with unequivocally centric diatoms (non-polar Hyalodiscus stelliger and polar Biddulphia tridens) and published literature for araphid pennates and determined that A. crystallina has evolved an apparently unique mode of valve development. The significance of valve morphogenesis in better understanding diatom evolution and diversification is discussed.

Variation of Diatoms and Silicon in a Tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Evidence of Interaction

To gain insight into the variation of diatoms and silicon and their interaction in a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), the Xiangxi River was chosen as a representative tributary, and dissolved silicon (DSi) and biogenic silicon (BSi) were investigated monthly from February 2015 to December 2016, accompanied by diatom species composition and cell density analyses. The results showed that the diatom population and its relationship with silicon concentration were significantly different between the lacustrine zone and riverine zone (P < 0.05). The cell density in the lacustrine zone (6.20 × 105 ~ 9.97 × 107 cells/L) was significantly higher than that in the riverine zone (7.90 × 104 ~ 1.81 × 107 cells/L) (P < 0.01). Water velocity was a key factor in determining the diatom species composition. Centric diatoms were the dominant species in the lacustrine zone, and pennate diatoms were the primary species in the riverine zone, which indicated that centric diatoms outcompete pennate diatoms under the influence of the TGR’s operation. BSi showed a significant linear relationship with the cell density. DSi had a significant negative relationship with the cell density in the lacustrine zone, while no significant relationship was found in the riverine zone. This meant that the main contributor to BSi was diatoms, but DSi was primarily affected by water discharge, not diatom uptake. It could be deduced that the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of diatom communities was influenced by the TGR’s operation. Silicon cycling in the tributary was significantly affected by diatoms, and the current concentration of DSi was sufficient for diatom growth and showed no significant effects on the diatom community.