Surf zone discoloration by phytoplankton: The consequence of pollution?

Bate, G. C.; McLachlan, Anton

doi:10.1016/0025-326x(87)90568-6

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…During 15 years of observations along the Sundays River Beach our research team has recorded a persistent domination of the phytoplankton community by Anaulus birostratus. Two significant exceptions, however, are the reported replacement of Anaulus birostratus by Asterionella glacialis during the winter of 1985 (Bate and McLachlan 1987) and the co-dominance reported in this study.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

The Response of Surf Diatom Populations to Environmental Conditions. Changes in the Extent of the Planktonic Fraction and Surface. Patch Activity

Talbot¹,

Bate²

1988

Botm

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The population dynamics of the surf diatoms Anaulus birostratus and Asterionella glacialis were monitored over an 11-day period during which wave height decreased and then increased abruptly. Two main changes were observed in the populations, viz; 1) a diel periodicity in cell concentration that persisted throughout the study period, and 2) a meso-scale variability where both patch activity (i. e. the concentration of cells in the neuston which created discoloured patches) and planktonic cell concentrations in non-patch areas (background cells) decreased during falling wave energy, disappearing after 5 days. Immediately following the onset of a high wave energy event (approximately 8 h), patch activity resumed, together with an increase in background planktonic cell concentration.Time of day and wave height accounted for 51 % of the variance in background cell concentrations during the study. Wind direction and speed, tidal phase and sea and air temperature did not have any significant effect. The pattern of cell division in Anaulus birostratus indicates that the sequence of patch disappearance and reappearance did not involve any of the logarithmic growth or senescence that is the normal pattern of phytoplanktpn blooms. Instead the decrease and increase in cell concentration was brought about by cell advection into and out of the water column and neuston of the surf-zone. This advection appears to be directly related to wave energy. We therefore conclude that both the diel periodicity and meso-scale temporal features of the population involve migration and accumulation phenomena rather than growth.

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