No description available.

No description available.

Primary production was studied in Fram Sound, part of the Hell Gate-Cardigan Strait polynya, from June to August, 1982. Primary production rates, phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll α), and water transparency were measured and used in conjunction with modelled solar radiation values to numerically model primary production during this time. The major phytoplankton nutrients were also measured. Early season chlorophyll α concentrations were low, and the increased light availability due to reduced ice cover in this area did not appear to enhance early season production. Chlorophyll concentrations peaked twice; the first peak occured on 20 July and the second on 14 August. The mean primary production rate and phytoplankton biomass were 998 mg C.m⁻² .d⁻¹ and 72 mg chl.m⁻² . This production rate is higher than that measured in other High Arctic areas. Nitrogen, phosphorus and silica were essentially homogeneously distributed during the sampling period and these concentrations varied little from June to August except during 5 days in late August, when they decreased by half then returned to previous levels. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Marine microorganisms are a key vector in global carbon cycling, supporting an annual flux of 5 – 12 gigatons of carbon to the ocean interior via the biological carbon pump. While methodological advances over the last half century have greatly advanced our understanding of the factors influencing variability in this flux, the contributions of individual components in the microbial food web remain poorly resolved. Utilizing a combination of laboratory, field and remote sensing studies, this dissertation addresses several different aspects of this challenge. In the second chapter, unsupervised learning methods are applied to a global bio-optical data set from biogeochemical Argo floats to identify six oceanic biomes characterized by distinct seasonal trends in vertical phytoplankton distributions. This study demonstrated the great potential for using data from autonomous profiling floats to generalize seasonal trends in vertical phytoplankton distributions across vast regions of the global ocean, while also providing new insight on the hydrological and biogeochemical drivers of this variability. The third chapter reports the development of a novel method for the direct measurement of chlorophyll a attributable to individual phytoplankton groups in natural samples via cell sorting by flow cytometry. Critically, this approach makes it possible to evaluate phytoplankton community structure in terms of a parameter measured by autonomous platforms, while simultaneously quantifying sources of variability not captured by existing methods. The fourth chapter investigates the environmental drivers of phytoplankton distributions within the Western Tropical South Pacific, providing a case study for the biogeographical provinces identified in chapter 2 while also investigating how biogeochemical gradients influence linkages between heterotrophic groups central to carbon cycling within the microbial food web. Chapter five reports series of experiments investigating cell physiology as a driver of predator-prey interactions between heterotrophic bacteria and algal phagomixotrophs—eukaryotic algae that supplement requirements for carbon and/or nutrients by ingesting smaller cells. By validating the predictions of a gene-based model of algal trophic modes, the results from these experiments point toward the potential widespread occurrence of phagomixotrophy amongst green algae, while highlighting potential sources of bias in field and laboratory studies of bacterivory. With global climate change expected to produce rapid changes in ocean circulation and biogeochemistry, the urgency of understanding the role of marine microbes in global biogeochemical cycling has never been greater. This dissertation represents an advance in this larger goal, providing an expanded framework for the broad distribution of microbial communities in addition to novel insight into the environmental and physiological drivers of microbial community structure from the global to cellular scale.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences. / Typescript bound. Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 149-166) Also available online.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A incorporação de fósforo (P) foi avaliada através da técnica de marcador enzimático fluorescente a fim de determinar a atividade da fosfatase alcalina (PA) em dois clones de Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 e Ub7, isolados de Ubatuba (SP), em Tetraselmis aff. chui (Butcher) e Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) J. Schiller, isoladas da Baía de Guanabara (RJ) e na Comunidade Natural da Baía de Guanabara (RJ). A fosfatase alcalina (PA) é uma enzima extracelular associada à membrana que catalisa a hidrólise de compostos orgânicos de fósforo em resposta à limitação de fosfato. Sua análise, a partir do marcador ELF-97, proporciona uma avaliação individual e, portanto, determina as condições nutricionais de fósforo inorgânico em células fitoplanctônicas. Os clones de P. tricornutum apresentaram diferenças no desenvolvimento quando incubados no tratamento P-repleto. O clone Ub7 de P. tricornutum apresentou a maior atividade enzimática quando comparado às demais espécies testadas, em condições P-repletas. Enquanto P. minimum apresentou a maior atividade da fosfatase alcalina em condições P-limitadas. Entre as espécies T. aff. chui e P. minimum, a maior atividade enzimática ocorreu durante a fase estacionária de desenvolvimento, entretanto diferenças foram observadas somente nas menores concentrações de fosfato. P. tricornutum, T. aff. chui e P. minimum, ao longo dos experimentos, utilizaram duas estratégias para incorporação de fosfato, aumentando a atividade da fosfatase alcalina, assim como alterando o biovolume ou a máxima dimensão linear para manter a relação S/V estável. Em P. tricornutum os sítios da atividade enzimática ocorreram na membrana celular, em T. aff. chui encontrados intracelularmente, enquanto em P. minimum observados tanto nas membranas, quanto no interior das células. No experimento realizado com a comunidade natural, houve predomínio das diatomáceas entre todos os grupos e tratamentos; as espécies foram agrupadas nas estratégias adaptativas C e R e classificadas principalmente como R-estrategistas. Os dinoflagelados da Ordem Prorocentrales utilizaram a incorporação do fósforo orgânico como estratégia para obtenção de fósforo em condições limitantes. Entretanto, as diatomáceas apresentaram tal estratégia de forma mais variável. Quanto às prasinofíceas, embora Tetraselmis sp. tenha apresentado baixa atividade enzimática nos experimentos unialgais, as concentrações de fosfato ao longo do experimento não resultaram na utilização de P orgânico para o grupo. Os resultados destacaram as diferenças intra e interespecíficas na atividade da fosfatase alcalina, e, consequentemente, na incorporação de fósforo orgânico, uma vez que as espécies testadas regularam a atividade enzimática de acordo com as diferentes concentrações externas de fosfato. / The incorporation of phosphorus (P) was evaluated by the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a marker, using a fluorescent probe technique, in order to ascertain the activity of this enzyme in two clones of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 and Ub7, isolated from Ubatuba (SP), as well as in Tetraselmis aff. chui (Butcher), Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) J. Schiller, originally isolated from the Guanabara Bay (RJ) and Natural community of Guanabara Bay (RJ). Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is an extracellular membrane-associated enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of organic phosphorus compounds in response to the phosphate limitation. Its analysis, from ELF-97 probe, provides an individual evaluation, and therefore determines the nutritional status of inorganic phosphorus in phytoplanktonic cells. Bioassays were performed in triplicate comparing the control treatment Guillard F/2 to both phosphate-enriched and phosphate-depleted conditions by varying only the phosphate concentration in the media for Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis aff. chui, Prorocentrum minimum and Natural community of Guanabara Bay. The P. tricornutum clones showed differences in its development when incubated in the phosphate-enriched media. In this condition, the Ub7 clone presented a different development. The alkaline phosphatase analysis indicated limitations of this clone under such conditions. T. aff. chui and P. minimum showed higher enzymatic activity during the stationary phase, although differences were observed only in the phosphate-depleted treatments. P. tricornutum Ub7 clone showed higher PA activity when compared to the other species, in P-enriched condition. While P. minimum showed higher enzimatic activity in P-depleted conditions. P. tricornutum, T. aff. chui and P. minimum, presented both increases in AP activity and low variation in the S/V ratio, by increasing biovolume and maximum linear dimension, as estrategies for phosphate incorporation. In P. tricornutum the AP sites were observed on the cell membrane, in T. aff. chui the sites were located within the cells, while in P. minimum were found both in membranes as inside the cells. In the experiment carried out with Natural community of Guanabara Bay, there was a predominance of diatoms among all groups and treatments; species were grouped into adaptive strategies C and R. The dinoflagellates of Prorocentrales Order uses the incorporation of organic phosphorus as strategy for obtaining phosphorus in P-depleted conditions. However, wen we consider the diatoms, this strategy is more inconstant. Regarding the Prasinophyceae, the phosphate concentrations throughout the experiment did not result in the use of organic phosphorus in this group. Our results highlighted the differences intra and interspecific in alkaline phosphatase activity and hence in the incorporation of organic phosphorus as the tested species regulated the enzymatic activity under different external phosphate concentrations.

Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-63). Description: xii, 63 leaves ; 29 cm.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A incorporação de fósforo (P) foi avaliada através da técnica de marcador enzimático fluorescente a fim de determinar a atividade da fosfatase alcalina (PA) em dois clones de Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 e Ub7, isolados de Ubatuba (SP), em Tetraselmis aff. chui (Butcher) e Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) J. Schiller, isoladas da Baía de Guanabara (RJ) e na Comunidade Natural da Baía de Guanabara (RJ). A fosfatase alcalina (PA) é uma enzima extracelular associada à membrana que catalisa a hidrólise de compostos orgânicos de fósforo em resposta à limitação de fosfato. Sua análise, a partir do marcador ELF-97, proporciona uma avaliação individual e, portanto, determina as condições nutricionais de fósforo inorgânico em células fitoplanctônicas. Os clones de P. tricornutum apresentaram diferenças no desenvolvimento quando incubados no tratamento P-repleto. O clone Ub7 de P. tricornutum apresentou a maior atividade enzimática quando comparado às demais espécies testadas, em condições P-repletas. Enquanto P. minimum apresentou a maior atividade da fosfatase alcalina em condições P-limitadas. Entre as espécies T. aff. chui e P. minimum, a maior atividade enzimática ocorreu durante a fase estacionária de desenvolvimento, entretanto diferenças foram observadas somente nas menores concentrações de fosfato. P. tricornutum, T. aff. chui e P. minimum, ao longo dos experimentos, utilizaram duas estratégias para incorporação de fosfato, aumentando a atividade da fosfatase alcalina, assim como alterando o biovolume ou a máxima dimensão linear para manter a relação S/V estável. Em P. tricornutum os sítios da atividade enzimática ocorreram na membrana celular, em T. aff. chui encontrados intracelularmente, enquanto em P. minimum observados tanto nas membranas, quanto no interior das células. No experimento realizado com a comunidade natural, houve predomínio das diatomáceas entre todos os grupos e tratamentos; as espécies foram agrupadas nas estratégias adaptativas C e R e classificadas principalmente como R-estrategistas. Os dinoflagelados da Ordem Prorocentrales utilizaram a incorporação do fósforo orgânico como estratégia para obtenção de fósforo em condições limitantes. Entretanto, as diatomáceas apresentaram tal estratégia de forma mais variável. Quanto às prasinofíceas, embora Tetraselmis sp. tenha apresentado baixa atividade enzimática nos experimentos unialgais, as concentrações de fosfato ao longo do experimento não resultaram na utilização de P orgânico para o grupo. Os resultados destacaram as diferenças intra e interespecíficas na atividade da fosfatase alcalina, e, consequentemente, na incorporação de fósforo orgânico, uma vez que as espécies testadas regularam a atividade enzimática de acordo com as diferentes concentrações externas de fosfato. / The incorporation of phosphorus (P) was evaluated by the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a marker, using a fluorescent probe technique, in order to ascertain the activity of this enzyme in two clones of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 and Ub7, isolated from Ubatuba (SP), as well as in Tetraselmis aff. chui (Butcher), Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) J. Schiller, originally isolated from the Guanabara Bay (RJ) and Natural community of Guanabara Bay (RJ). Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is an extracellular membrane-associated enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of organic phosphorus compounds in response to the phosphate limitation. Its analysis, from ELF-97 probe, provides an individual evaluation, and therefore determines the nutritional status of inorganic phosphorus in phytoplanktonic cells. Bioassays were performed in triplicate comparing the control treatment Guillard F/2 to both phosphate-enriched and phosphate-depleted conditions by varying only the phosphate concentration in the media for Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis aff. chui, Prorocentrum minimum and Natural community of Guanabara Bay. The P. tricornutum clones showed differences in its development when incubated in the phosphate-enriched media. In this condition, the Ub7 clone presented a different development. The alkaline phosphatase analysis indicated limitations of this clone under such conditions. T. aff. chui and P. minimum showed higher enzymatic activity during the stationary phase, although differences were observed only in the phosphate-depleted treatments. P. tricornutum Ub7 clone showed higher PA activity when compared to the other species, in P-enriched condition. While P. minimum showed higher enzimatic activity in P-depleted conditions. P. tricornutum, T. aff. chui and P. minimum, presented both increases in AP activity and low variation in the S/V ratio, by increasing biovolume and maximum linear dimension, as estrategies for phosphate incorporation. In P. tricornutum the AP sites were observed on the cell membrane, in T. aff. chui the sites were located within the cells, while in P. minimum were found both in membranes as inside the cells. In the experiment carried out with Natural community of Guanabara Bay, there was a predominance of diatoms among all groups and treatments; species were grouped into adaptive strategies C and R. The dinoflagellates of Prorocentrales Order uses the incorporation of organic phosphorus as strategy for obtaining phosphorus in P-depleted conditions. However, wen we consider the diatoms, this strategy is more inconstant. Regarding the Prasinophyceae, the phosphate concentrations throughout the experiment did not result in the use of organic phosphorus in this group. Our results highlighted the differences intra and interspecific in alkaline phosphatase activity and hence in the incorporation of organic phosphorus as the tested species regulated the enzymatic activity under different external phosphate concentrations.

Thesis (M.S.)--Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-100). / The linkage between physics and biology is studied by applying a one-dimensional model and a two-dimensional model to the Sargasso Sea and the Gulf of Maine- Georges Bank region, respectively. The first model investigates the annual cycles of production and the response of the annual cycles to external forcing. The computed seasonal cycles compare reasonably well with the data. The spring bloom occurs after the winter mixing weakens and before the establishment of the summer stratification. Sensitivity experiments are also carried out, which basically provide information of how the internal bio-chemical parameters affect the biological system. The second model investigates the effect of the circulation field on the distribution of phytoplankton, and the relative importance of physical circulation and biological sources by using a data assimilation approach. The model results reveal seasonal and geographic variations of phytoplankton concentration, which compare well with data. The results verify that the seasonal cycles of phytoplankton are controlled by both the biological source and the physical advection, which themselves are functions of space and time. The biological source and the physical advection basically counterbalance each other. Advection controls the tendency of the phytoplankton concentration more often in the coastal region of the western Gulf of Maine than on Georges Bank, due to the small magnitude of the biological source in the former region, although the advection flux divergences have greater magnitudes on Georges Bank than in the coastal region of the western Gulf of Maine. It is also suggested by the model results that the two separated populations in the coastal region of the western Gulf of Maine and on Georges Bank are self-sustaining. / by Caixia Wang. / M.S.

The present study investigated the temporal and spatial dynamics of primary productivity, total and size-fractionated chlorophyll a, phytoplankton taxonomic composition, dissolved nutrients, and temperature and salinity in the euphotic zone of Saanich Inlet. Seawater sampling was carried out monthly from May 2005 to November 2006 at the mouth and head of Saanich Inlet. Physical and chemical data indicated that spring/neap tidal cycles supplied nutrients to the head as well as to the mouth region of Saanich Inlet. Of the three nutrients (N03-, Si(OH)4 and P043) measured, N03- was identified as the potentially limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth. During the growing season, three major phytoplankton bloom periods were observed in Saanich Inlet: a spring. a summer and a fall bloom, and phytoplankton assemblages were consistently dominated by micro-phytoplankton (mainly diatoms). During both the 2005 and 2006 growing season, rates of primary production and phytoplankton biomass were highest during the summer blooms, and results suggest that these blooms were triggered by peak freshwater discharge from the Fraser River. The estimated annual rate of total primary production in Saanich Inlet was 461 g C m-2 year-l. On average primary productivity was 1.5 times higher at the mouth than at the head of Saanich Inlet during the growing season. Results indicated that this difference was caused by a combination of lower NO3- concentrations and lower micro-phytoplankton biomass at the head of Saanich Inlet in comparison to the mouth. Throughout the 2005 and 2006 growing season, micro-phytoplankton contributed significantly to primary productivity in Saanich Inlet, indicating that a substantial portion of primary production was based on new primary productivity. This was confirmed by measurements of new primary production from May to October 2006. During this period, new primary production was responsible for 53 and 57% of total primary production at the head and mouth of Saanich Inlet, respectively. The results reported in this study have significantly improved our understanding of the factors that control the temporal and spatial variability of primary productivity in Saanich Inlet.