Diatom-diazotroph associations contribute extensively to vertical flux in the modern ocean, and are linked to extensive sedimentary layers in the paleo-record formed either by rapidly sinking aggregates or more slowly sinking cells and chains. Although diatom sinking rates have been extensively studied, the sinking rates of these diatom symbioses are poorly documented. The effect of silicate and phosphate limitation on the sinking rate of Hemiaulus hauckii and its symbiont Richelia intracellularis were determined in semi-continuous cultures using a SETCOL. TEP (transparent exopolymer particle) was measured concurrently for linkages to aggregate formation. Although cells occurred in chains of 1-20 cells long, aggregate formation did not occur in semi-continuous cultures. There was no significant effect of P or Si limitation on sinking rates compared to controls. Although H. hauckii possess a symbiont that lacks gas vesicles, sinking rates (0.04-0.72 m/day) were within the range predicted by size-rate relationships. A portion of each H. hauckii experimental measurement ascended as well with significant differences found between the lowered P 80% exchange and the lowered Si with 80% exchange (p=0.05) and between the lowered Si with 80% exchange and the Si control batch culture (p=0.039). TEP production did not change significantly between treatments. However, a fraction of TEP in each population was positively buoyant as well, with ascent rates between 0.32-0.49 m/day. This study confirms an earlier report of positive buoyancy in TEP as well as noting that a significant fraction of the Hemiaulus symbiosis can be ascending within the population. / text

A fixação de N2 é uma fonte importante de nitrogênio novo nos ciclos biogeoquímicos, realizado potencialmente por cianobactérias diazotróficas, principalmente em condições de limitação de nitrogênio. O canal de São Sebastião (CSS) é reconhecidamente meso-oligotrófico, porém, eventos episódicos de precipitação podem alterar as concentrações de nutrientes locais interferindo na ocorrência de diazotróficas. Este trabalho investigou o efeito do aumento da pluviosidade na ocorrência e coexistência de diazotróficas no CSS e na baía do Araçá (BA), em 9 cenários distintos. As diazotróficas Trichodesmium spp. e Richelia intracellularis ocorreram após o aumento da pluviosidade nos dois pontos, não co-existindo em dois eventos. R. intracellularis ocorreu somente em endossimbiose com diatomáceas do gênero Hemiaulus, com predomínio em H. membranaceus. Os ventos de SW no CSS indicaram relações diretas na ocorrência das diazotróficas, sugerindo advecção de células provindas de outros locais. A temperatura e o fosfato apresentaram relações significativas com a ocorrência das diazotróficas. As densidades de diazotróficas e da comunidade fitoplanctônica foram maiores na BA em todos os eventos, assim como as concentrações de clorofila-a e nutrientes, ressaltando a importância da interação das águas da BA com o CSS. / The biological nitrogen fixation adds new nitrogen into the biogeochemical cycle. This process is attributed to diazothrophic cyanobacteria, which are known to occur in environments with nitrogen limitation. Although the São Sebastião Channel (CSS) is a meso-oligothrophic environment, local rain can affect nutrients concentrations, hence the occurrence of diazothrophic species. This work addressed how the increase in the precipitation rate alters the occurrence and co-existence of diazothrophic cyanobacteria in nine scenarios in the CSS and Araçá Bay (BA). The diazothrophic species Trichodesmium spp. and Richelia intracellularis occurred after an increase in rainfall, co-occurring in 7 of the 9 scenarios. Richelia intracellularis was always associated symbiotically with Hemiaulus diatoms, specially H. membranaceus. The occurrence of diazothrophic species was highly correlated to intense SW winds, suggesting the allochthonous input of cells in the CSS. The diazothrophic species occurrence was also associated with variations in temperature and phosphate concentration. The abundance of both diazothrophic species and phytoplankton community were higher in the BA in every scenario. The nutrients and chlorophyll-a concentrations were higher in the BA, highlighting the importance of water transport between BA and CSS.

A fixação de N2 é uma fonte importante de nitrogênio novo nos ciclos biogeoquímicos, realizado potencialmente por cianobactérias diazotróficas, principalmente em condições de limitação de nitrogênio. O canal de São Sebastião (CSS) é reconhecidamente meso-oligotrófico, porém, eventos episódicos de precipitação podem alterar as concentrações de nutrientes locais interferindo na ocorrência de diazotróficas. Este trabalho investigou o efeito do aumento da pluviosidade na ocorrência e coexistência de diazotróficas no CSS e na baía do Araçá (BA), em 9 cenários distintos. As diazotróficas Trichodesmium spp. e Richelia intracellularis ocorreram após o aumento da pluviosidade nos dois pontos, não co-existindo em dois eventos. R. intracellularis ocorreu somente em endossimbiose com diatomáceas do gênero Hemiaulus, com predomínio em H. membranaceus. Os ventos de SW no CSS indicaram relações diretas na ocorrência das diazotróficas, sugerindo advecção de células provindas de outros locais. A temperatura e o fosfato apresentaram relações significativas com a ocorrência das diazotróficas. As densidades de diazotróficas e da comunidade fitoplanctônica foram maiores na BA em todos os eventos, assim como as concentrações de clorofila-a e nutrientes, ressaltando a importância da interação das águas da BA com o CSS. / The biological nitrogen fixation adds new nitrogen into the biogeochemical cycle. This process is attributed to diazothrophic cyanobacteria, which are known to occur in environments with nitrogen limitation. Although the São Sebastião Channel (CSS) is a meso-oligothrophic environment, local rain can affect nutrients concentrations, hence the occurrence of diazothrophic species. This work addressed how the increase in the precipitation rate alters the occurrence and co-existence of diazothrophic cyanobacteria in nine scenarios in the CSS and Araçá Bay (BA). The diazothrophic species Trichodesmium spp. and Richelia intracellularis occurred after an increase in rainfall, co-occurring in 7 of the 9 scenarios. Richelia intracellularis was always associated symbiotically with Hemiaulus diatoms, specially H. membranaceus. The occurrence of diazothrophic species was highly correlated to intense SW winds, suggesting the allochthonous input of cells in the CSS. The diazothrophic species occurrence was also associated with variations in temperature and phosphate concentration. The abundance of both diazothrophic species and phytoplankton community were higher in the BA in every scenario. The nutrients and chlorophyll-a concentrations were higher in the BA, highlighting the importance of water transport between BA and CSS.