Primary prodution of Santos Bay, Sao Paulo state: aspects of photosynthetic efficiency in a polluted environment

A eficiência fotossintética do fitoplâncton da baía de Santos foi estudada através de amostras de água coletadas bimestralmente, de fevereiro a dezembro de 1976. Foram amostradas três estações consideradas as mais representativas dos diferentes ambientes da região: uma estação na boca do estuário, outra próxima à praia e a última na entrada da baía. A região despertou interesse devido à presença de poluentes das mais diversas naturezas que poderiam afetar o fitoplâncton. A análise dos parâmetros físico-químicos (transparência, temperatura, salinidade, pH, material em suspensão, Oxigênio dissolvido, nutrientes e Mercúrio) foram efetuadas pela CETESB. A determinação da biomassa do fitoplâncton foi feita pela contagem de células e por medidas da concentração de clorofila-a. A produção primária foi determinada pelo método do 14C. As amostras foram incubadas a diferentes intensidades de luz até um máximo de 60 Klux, a fim de se determinar a eficiência da fotossíntese à luz de saturação. A radioatividade das amostras foi medida pelo contador \"G-M\" e por cintilação líquida. Baseando-se na comparação dos resultados entre estes dois aparelhos, sugere-se que dados obtidos anteriormente através do contador \"G-M\" sejam corrigidos e que este equipamento não seja mais utilizado. Os resultados do Número de Assimilação, assim como da biomassa fitoplanctônica apresentaram-se bastante elevados mesmo quando comparados a outras regiões eutróficas, devido à grande quantidade de nutrientes na região. Os valores de produção primária e de número de assimilação provavelmente estão subestimados devido a diversos fatores que são discutidos no presente estudo. Foram observadas células deformadas de Skeletonema e Lepto-cylindrus. Também são discutidos as possíveis causas destas anomalias.The phytoplankton photosynthetic efficiency of Santos Bay was studied by means of water samples colected bimensaly, from February to December, 1976. Three points were sampled, the most characteristic of the different environments in the region: one station at the estuary mouth, one next to the beach and the last one at the bay entrance. The region is interesting due to the presence of different kinds of polutants, which could afectt the phytoplankton. The analyses of the physical and chemical parameters (trans-parency, temperature, salinity, pH, suspended material,dissol-ved Oxigen, nutrients and Mercury) were carried on by CETESB. The phytoplankton standing-stock determination was made by cells counts and by clorophyll-a concentration measurements. The primary production was determined by 14C method. The samples were incubated at several light intensities up to a maximum of 60 Klux to determine the photosynthesis efficiency at the saturation light. The radioactivity of the samples was measured by \"G-M\"counter and by liquid scintillation. The comparisons of the results between both theequipments suggest that the previous data from \"G-M\" counter must be corrected and that we d\'ont should use this apparatus anymore. The results of the assimilation number, as well as the phytoplankton biomass were high even when comparing then to other eutrofic regions, because of the high leveI of nutrient of the region. The values of primary production and assimilation number probably are subestimated because of several factors that are discussed in the presente paper. Deformed cells of Skeletonema and Leptocylindrus were ob-served. The possible causes of these anomalies are also dis-cussed

Primary production of Santos Bay, Sao Paulo state: aspects of the photosynthetic efficiency in a polluted environment

Este trabalho é parte de um projeto mais amplo intitulado \" Tipologia de Reservatórios do Estado de São Paulo\", financiado pela FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) que compreendeu o estúdo de 52 reservatórios. Neste estudo, quatro amostragens foram realizadas em dez reservatórios, durante o ano de 1979. Sete destes ambientes pertencem à Bacia do Tietê: Americana, Atibainha, Cabuçú, Cachoeira, Pedro Beicht, Ribeirão do Campo e Taiaçupeba; e três à bacia do Rio Paraíba do Sul: Jaguari, Paraibuna e Santa Branca. Em cada reservatório, foi estabelecida uma estação de coleta, exceto em Paraibuna, onde foram estabelecidas três estações. A produção primária medida pelo método do 14C, foi determinada de forma a se obter um perfil vertical na zona eufótica, assim como as concentrações de clorofila-a . Os dados físico-químicos sobre penetração de luz, temperatura, condutividade, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, alcainidade, formas de CO2, nutrientes e íons em solução foram obtidos ao longo da coluna de água, principalmente na região da zona eufótica. Os resultados obtidos permitiram a identificação de dois padrões de circulação: monomíctico quente e polimíctico. As medidas de produção primaria mostraram que, de modo geral, os reservatórios são pouco ou medianamente produtivos, (41,4 a 285,8 mgC.m-2 .dia-1 ) o que decorre do fato de estarem situados em terrenos pobres, na parte alta das bacias de drenagem. Isto se reflete nos baixos valores de condutividade, alcalinidade e na pobreza especialmente de fosfatos. Em alguns destes reservatórios, também a extensão da zona eufôtica, diminuindo a produtividade. O Reservatório de Americana foi uma exceção por tratar-se de um ambiente que vem sofrendo eutrofização cultural. Em conseqüência, sua produtividade média atingiu 768,2 mgC. m-2 dia-1 . Os valores de eficiência fotossintética observados foram baixos, (0,003 a 0,308%) semelhantes à grande maioria dos ambientes aquáticos. O nanoplâncton foi o principal responsável pela produção primária, o que provavelmente decorre da maior relação superfície/volume apresentada por estes organismos e que permite a melhor exploração de ambientes oligotróficos. Aparentemente, o fósforo é o principal nutriente limitante na maioria dos ambientes, como sugerida pelas baixas concentrações de fosfato dissolvido e pelas razões extremamente altas de N:P obtidas em diversos reservatórios, particularmente no inverno.The present work is part of a 1argeT project entited \"Typo1ogy of Reservoirs of the State of São Paulo\". It was sponsored by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo - State Foundation for Research Support), and included the study of 52 reservoirs. For the present study, ten reservois were sampled four times during 1979. Seven of these belong to the Tietê River basin: Americana, Atibainha, Cabuçu, Cachoeira, Pedro Beicht, Ribeirão do Campo and Taiaçupeba; and three to the Paraíba do Sul River basin: Jaguari, Paraibuna and Santa Branca. One samp1ing station was selected for each reservoir except Paraibuna, where three stations were chosen. Primary production, measured by the 14C method, as wel1 as concentrations of ch1orophyll-a were determined in selected depths in order to provide a vertical profile of these variables in the euphotic zone. Physico-chemica1 data such as ligth penetration, temperature, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, forms of C02, nutrients and ions in solution were obtained along the water column, especially in the euphotic zone. The resu1ts permitted the detection of two circulation patterns: warm monomictic and po1ymictic. In a general way, primary production levels were from low to medium (41.4 to 285.8 mg C.m-2 .day-1), a consequence of most the reservoirs being located in the upper parts of their drainage basins, characterized by poor soils. This is reflected in low va1ues of conductivity, alkalinity and, among the nutrients, of phosphates. On the other hand, in some of the reservoirs low ligth penetration values reduced the thickeness of the euphotic zone, also lawering productivity. Americana Reservoir, suffering a process of cultural eutrophication, was an exception, its productivity averaging 768.2 mg C.m-2 . day-1 . Observed vaIues of photosynthetic efficiency were low (0.003 to 0.308 per cent) , as in the great majority of aquatic environments. The nanoplankton were responsible for most of the primary production, probably due to their higher surface volume ratios, allowing them to exploít more easily oligotrophic environments. Apparently phosphorus is the chief limiting nutrient in most reservoírs, as suggested by the low values of dissolved phosphates and by the very high N:P ratios observed in several of the reservoirs, particularly in winter

Primary prodution of Santos Bay, Sao Paulo state: aspects of photosynthetic efficiency in a polluted environment

A eficiência fotossintética do fitoplâncton da baía de Santos foi estudada através de amostras de água coletadas bimestralmente, de fevereiro a dezembro de 1976. Foram amostradas três estações consideradas as mais representativas dos diferentes ambientes da região: uma estação na boca do estuário, outra próxima à praia e a última na entrada da baía. A região despertou interesse devido à presença de poluentes das mais diversas naturezas que poderiam afetar o fitoplâncton. A análise dos parâmetros físico-químicos (transparência, temperatura, salinidade, pH, material em suspensão, Oxigênio dissolvido, nutrientes e Mercúrio) foram efetuadas pela CETESB. A determinação da biomassa do fitoplâncton foi feita pela contagem de células e por medidas da concentração de clorofila-a. A produção primária foi determinada pelo método do 14C. As amostras foram incubadas a diferentes intensidades de luz até um máximo de 60 Klux, a fim de se determinar a eficiência da fotossíntese à luz de saturação. A radioatividade das amostras foi medida pelo contador \"G-M\" e por cintilação líquida. Baseando-se na comparação dos resultados entre estes dois aparelhos, sugere-se que dados obtidos anteriormente através do contador \"G-M\" sejam corrigidos e que este equipamento não seja mais utilizado. Os resultados do Número de Assimilação, assim como da biomassa fitoplanctônica apresentaram-se bastante elevados mesmo quando comparados a outras regiões eutróficas, devido à grande quantidade de nutrientes na região. Os valores de produção primária e de número de assimilação provavelmente estão subestimados devido a diversos fatores que são discutidos no presente estudo. Foram observadas células deformadas de Skeletonema e Lepto-cylindrus. Também são discutidos as possíveis causas destas anomalias.The phytoplankton photosynthetic efficiency of Santos Bay was studied by means of water samples colected bimensaly, from February to December, 1976. Three points were sampled, the most characteristic of the different environments in the region: one station at the estuary mouth, one next to the beach and the last one at the bay entrance. The region is interesting due to the presence of different kinds of polutants, which could afectt the phytoplankton. The analyses of the physical and chemical parameters (trans-parency, temperature, salinity, pH, suspended material,dissol-ved Oxigen, nutrients and Mercury) were carried on by CETESB. The phytoplankton standing-stock determination was made by cells counts and by clorophyll-a concentration measurements. The primary production was determined by 14C method. The samples were incubated at several light intensities up to a maximum of 60 Klux to determine the photosynthesis efficiency at the saturation light. The radioactivity of the samples was measured by \"G-M\"counter and by liquid scintillation. The comparisons of the results between both theequipments suggest that the previous data from \"G-M\" counter must be corrected and that we d\'ont should use this apparatus anymore. The results of the assimilation number, as well as the phytoplankton biomass were high even when comparing then to other eutrofic regions, because of the high leveI of nutrient of the region. The values of primary production and assimilation number probably are subestimated because of several factors that are discussed in the presente paper. Deformed cells of Skeletonema and Leptocylindrus were ob-served. The possible causes of these anomalies are also dis-cussed

Bacterial and phytoplankton dynamics in a sub-tropical estuary

Heterotrophic bacterial and biomass, production, specific growth rates and growth efficiencies were studied in July 2001 and January 2002 during both spring and neap tides, along a tidal cycle, at three sites in a subtropical estuary. Major freshwater inputs located in the Northern region led to differences in both and bacterioplankton biomass and activity along the estuary. While in the Northern region is light-limited, with mean production (PP) between 1.1 and 1.9 mu g C l(-1) h(-1) and mean specific growth rates (PSG) between 0.14 and 0.16 d(-1), the Southern region registered values as high as 24.7 mu g C l(-1) h(-1) for PP and 2.45 d(-1) (mean PP between 3.4 and 7.3 mu g C l(-1) h(-1); mean PSG between 0.28 and 0.57 d(-1)). On the other hand, maximum bacterial production (BP: 63.8 mu g C l(-1) h(-1)) and specific growth rate (BSG: 32.26 d(-1)) were observed in the Northern region (mean BP between 3.4 and 12.8 mu g C l(-1) h(-1); mean BSG between 1.98 and 6.67 day(-1)). These bacterial activity rates are among the highest recorded rates in estuarine and coastal waters, indicating that this system can be highly heterotrophic, due to high loads of allochthonous carbon (mainly derived from mangrove forest). Our results also showed that, despite that BP rates usually exceeded PP, in the Southern region BP may be partially supported (similar to 45%) by PP, since a significant regression was observed between BP and PP (r = 0.455, P < 0.001)

Influence of allochthonous organic matter on bacterioplankton biomass and activity in a eutrophic, sub-tropical estuary

Heterotrophic bacterial and phytoplankton biomass, production, specific growth rates, and growth efficiencies were studied in the Northern region of the Cananeia-Iguape estuarine system, which has recently experienced an intense eutrophication due to anthropogenic causes. Two surveys were carried out during spring and neap tide periods of the dry season of 2005 and the rainy season of 2006. This region receives large freshwater inputs with organic seston and phosphate concentrations that reach as high as 1.0 mg l(-1) and 20.0 mu M, respectively. Strong decreasing gradients of seston and dissolved inorganic nutrients were observed from the river/estuary boundary to the estuary/coastal interface. Gradients were also observed in phytoplankton and bacterial production rates. The production rates of phytoplankton were 5.6-fold higher (mean 8.5 mu g Cl(-1) h(-1)) during the dry season. Primary production rates (PP) positively correlated with salinity and euphoric depth, indicating that phytoplankton productivity was light-limited. On the other hand, bacterial biomass (BB) and production rates (BP) were 1.9- and 3.7-fold higher, respectively, during the rainy season, with mean values of up to 40.4 mu g Cl(-1) and 7.9 mu g Cl(-1) h-1, respectively. Despite such a high BP, bacterial abundance remained <2 x 106 cells ml(-1), indicating that bacterial production and removal were coupled. Mean specific growth rates ranged between 0.9 and 5.5 d(-1). BP was inversely correlated with salinity and positively correlated with temperature, organic matter, exopolymer particles, and particulate-attached bacteria; this last accounted for as much as 89.6% of the total abundance. During the rainy season, BP was generally much higher than PP, and values of BP/PP > 20 were registered during high freshwater input, suggesting that under these conditions, bacterial activity was predominantly supported by allochthonous inputs of organic carbon. In addition, BB probably represented the main pathway for the synthesis of high-quality (low C:N) biomass that may have been available to the heterotrophic components of the plankton food web, particularly nanoheterotrophs. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved