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Nutrient responses of harmful algal blooms in south carolina brackish lagoonal systems
Author(s) -
Hayes K. C.,
Lewitus A. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.2003.03906001_65.x
Subject(s) - biology , algal bloom , nutrient , brackish water , japonica , bloom , ecology , population , phytoplankton , botany , salinity , demography , sociology
The widespread occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in South Carolina brackish lagoons has recently been documented. Over the last 2 years, dense blooms of raphidophytes, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, and prymnesiophytes were commonly observed, mostly in storm water retention ponds associated with housing developments or golf courses. As part of an effort to understand the physiological ecology of these blooms, bioassays were performed testing the effects of nutrients on HAB population growth. The first bioassay was conducted on a mixed bloom of Heterosigma akashiwo and Chattonella verruculosa , and the second on a mixed bloom of Fibrocapsa japonica, Karlodinium micrum and C. verruculosa . The growth of all species but F. japonica could be stimulated by the addition of DIN or DON substrates, including nitrate, ammonium, urea, and glycine. F. japonica was only stimulated by the addition of a fertilizer (Miracle Grow™) or an inhibitor of photosynthesis (DCMU). Stimulation by the fertilizer, but not N or P substrates, suggests that this response was related to trace metal (e.g. Fe) use. Growth stimulation by DCMU may reflect a high heterotrophic capability or insensitivity of F. japonica's photosynthetic system to this inhibitor. The results suggest that the nutritional versatility of these species may contribute to their widespread occurrence and ability to form blooms in these low flow, nutrient‐ and organic‐rich systems. Also, the responses of F. japonica infer that contaminant loading (e.g. herbicides with similar effects as DCMU) should be considered as a selective factor in HAB initiation or maintenance.