Seasonal and diel variability in dissolved DNA and in microbial biomass and activity in a subtropical estuary

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6937538

Paul, J H; Deflaun, M F; Jeffrey, W H; David, A W

Dissolved DNA and microbial biomass and activity parameters were measured over a 15-month period at three stations along a salinity gradient in Tampa Bay, Fla. Dissolved DNA showed seasonal variation, with minimal values in December and January and maximal values in summer months (July and August). This pattern of seasonal variation followed that of particulate DNA and water temperature and did not correlate with bacterioplankton (direct counts and (/sup 3/H) thymidine incorporation) or phytoplankton (chlorophyll ..cap alpha.. and /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ fixation) biomass and activity. Microautotrophic populations showed maxima in the spring and fall, whereas microheterotrophic activity was greatest in late summer (September). Both autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial activity was greatest at the high estuarine (low salinity) station and lowest at the mouth of the bay (high salinity station), irrespective of season. Dissolved DNA carbon and phosphorus constituted 0.11 +/- 0.05% of the dissolved organic carbon and 6.6 +/- 6.5% of the dissolved organic phosphorus, respectively. Strong diel periodicity was noted in dissolved DNA and in microbial activity in Bayboro Harbor during the dry season. A noon maximum in primary productivity was followed by an 8 p.m. maximum in heterotrophic activity and a midnight maximum in dissolved DNA. This diel periodicity was less pronounced in the wet season, when microbial parameters were strongly influenced by episodic inputs of freshwater.

• Research Organization: Univ. of South Florida, St. Petersburg (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6937538
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 54:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
ESTUARIES
SAMPLING
PLANKTON
ECOLOGY
BIOMASS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
DAILY VARIATIONS
FLORIDA
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IV
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS
550701* - Microbiology- Tracer Techniques