Cryptophyte bloom in a Mediterranean estuary: High abundance of <em>Plagioselmis</em> cf. <em>prolonga</em> in the Krka River estuary (eastern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract

Summary:During the June 2010 survey of phytoplankton and physicochemical parameters in the Krka River estuary (eastern Adriatic Sea), a cryptophyte bloom was observed. High abundance of cryptophytes (maximum 7.9×10 6 cells l -1 ) and high concentrations of the class-specific biomarker pigment alloxanthine (maximum 2312 ng l -1 ) were detected in the surface layer and at the halocline in the lower reach of the estuary. Taxonomical analysis revealed that the blooming species was Plagioselmis cf. prolonga. Analysis of the environmental parameters in the estuary suggested that the bloom was supported by the slower river flow as well as the increased orthophosphate and ammonium concentrations. The first record of a cryptophyte bloom in the Krka River estuary may indicate that large-scale changes are taking place in the phytoplankton community. Such changes could have a major impact on the natural ecosystem dynamics and the mariculture production in the area.Keywords: estuarine ecosystem; phytoplankton bloom; cryptophytes; chemotaxonomy; Mediterranean Sea; Krka River estuary.Proliferación de una criptófita en un estuario mediterráneo: alta abundancia de Plagioselmis cf. prolonga en el estuario del río Krka (Adriático) Resumen: Se observó una proliferación de una criptófita durante el estudio del fitoplancton y de los parámetros fisicoquími-cos en el estuario del río Krka (Adriático) en junio de 2010. La abundancia más alta de criptofitas (máximo 7.9×10 6 células l -1 ) y las mayores concentraciones del pigmento marcador específico de la clase, la aloxantina (máximo 2312 ng l -1 ), fueron detectados en la capa superficial y en la haloclina en el tramo inferior de la ría. El análisis taxonómico reveló que la especie que proliferó fue Plagioselmis cf. prolonga. El análisis de los parámetros ambientales del estuario sugirió que la proliferación estaba favorecida por el caudal lento del río, así como el aumento de las concentraciones de ortofosfato y amonio. El hecho de registrar por primera vez una proliferación de una criptófita en el estuario del río Krka podría indicar cambios a gran escala en la comunidad de fitoplancton. Tales cambios podrían tener un impacto importante en la dinámica de los ecosistemas naturales y la producción de la maricultura en la zona.Palabras clave: estuario; proliferación de fitoplancton; criptófitas; quimiotaxonomía; mar Mediterráneo; estuario del río Krka.Citation/Como citar este artículo: Šupraha L., Bosak S.,

Evidencing the natural and anthropogenic processes controlling trace metals dynamic in a highly stratified estuary: The Krka River estuary (Adriatic, Croatia)

“…The most interesting feature of this estuary is a boundary FSI layer in which an enrichment of the organic matter and trace elements was found as a results of the specific physical and chemical properties (Bilinski et al, 2000;Mantoura, 1987;Zutic and Legovic, 1987). First studies of trace metals , organic matter and SPM (Cauwet, 1991) and biological activities (Denant et al, 1991;Grzetic et al, 1991;Legovic et al, 1991a;Legovic et al, 1991b;Legovic et al, 1991c;Legovic et al, 1994) revealing the low pollution within the estuary were partially confirmed by more recent studies (Bilinski et al, 1992;Bilinski et al, 2000;Cetinic et al, 2006;Louis et al, 2009;Omanović et al, 2006;Supraha et al, 2014). An anthropogenic influence noticed in the estuary was mainly related to the increased nautical tourism in (Louis et al, 2009;Omanović et al, 2006).…”

Characterization of ultraphytoplankton pigments and functional community structure in Xiangxi Bay, China, using HPLC-CHEMTAX

“…The water may be rich in N-NO 3 ¡ and P-PO 4 3¡ , which would have enhanced diatom growth. According to a previous report (Supraha et al 2014), as an important primary producer, cryptophytes are widely distributed in freshwater and oceans, and even formed bad-tasting blooms. We also found that the dominant cryptophytes were present every month in the in situ samples, which may have two reasons.…”

Baffinella frigidus gen. et sp. nov. (Baffinellaceae fam. nov., Cryptophyceae) from Baffin Bay: Morphology, pigment profile, phylogeny, and growth rate response to three abiotic factors

“…Cryptophytes (=cryptomonads) are ubiquitous in marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide and a few species have been recorded to form blooms (e.g., Laza‐Martínez , Šupraha et al. , and references therein). However, they also reside in more extreme environments, for example, soil (Paulsen et al.…”