Metal enrichment experiments in the Weddell-Scotia Seas: Effects of iron and manganese on various communities

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Limnology and Oceanography; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1991.36.8.1865· OSTI ID:7222145

Buma, A G.J.; Barr, H J.W. de; Nolting, R F; Bennekom, A.J. van ^[1]

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1. Netherlands Inst. for Sea Research, Den Burg (Netherlands)

During the European Polarstern Study (EPOS 1988/1989) in the Weddell and Scotia Seas, five series of metal enrichment experiments were carried out with natural plankton communities under ultraclean conditions. Despite a clear stimulation of growth by the addition of Fe, control bottles also showed rapid buildup of Chl a and complete utilization of a major nutrient within 2 weeks, indicating nonlimiting ambient Fe levels. Effects of Mn additions were less pronounced or absent, whereas extra additions of Zn and Cu in one experiment showed little or no effect. The species composition of the plankton community, monitored by HPLC pigment analysis and microscopic observations, changed in favor of diatoms when Fe was added. The addition of Fe also caused an increase in microzooplankton densities and concentrations of pigment breakdown products. However, metal-mediated shifts in the plankton community were minor compared to major changes resulting from incubation. Changes were most pronounced in experiments where microzooplankton was strongly developed, presumably as a result of excluding mesozooplankton from the bottles. Fe had an impact on plankton growth and species composition, but other factors seem to responsible for keeping phytoplankton productivity far from its potential in these Antarctic waters.

• OSTI ID: 7222145
• Journal Information: Limnology and Oceanography; (United States), Vol. 36:8; ISSN 0024-3590
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
COPPER
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
IRON
MANGANESE
PHYTOPLANKTON
PRODUCTIVITY
WEDDELL SEA
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
ZINC
CARBON SINKS
CHLOROPHYLL
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LIQUID COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
NUTRIENTS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ELEMENTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
SEAS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SINKS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
290301 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects- (1992-)