Factors affecting surf zone phytoplankton production in Southeastern North Carolina, USA

Abstract

The biomass and productivity of primary producers in the surf zone of the ocean beach at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA, were measured during all seasons, along with environmental parameters and nutrient levels. Variation in biomass (chlorophyll a) was associated with temperature. Primary production (PP), measured by in situ 14-C incubations, was a function of chlorophyll a, tide height at the start of incubations, and rainfall in the preceding 24-hr period. Biomass-normalized production (P B) was also a function of tide height and rainfall in the preceding 24-hr period. We interpreted these results as evidence of surf production 1) as combined contributions of phytoplankton and suspended benthic microalgae, which may confound application of simple P-E models to surf zone production, and 2) being regulated by nutrient source/supply fluctuations independently from other factors. Surf zone biomass and production levels are intermediate between relatively high estuarine values and much lower coastal ocean values. Surf zone production may represent an important trophic connection between these two important ecosystems.

Estimates of losses and recovery of ecosystem services for oiled beaches lack clarity and ecological realism

“…Terrestrial organisms, such as birds and insects, exploit food sources across the beach and several species of arthropods and oligochaetes use the backshore for habitat (Dugan et al 2003. Marine phytoplankton, invertebrates, and fish occur in the abutting surf zone, as either residents or transients, with some species having critical nursery habitat there (Odebrecht et al 2014, Cahoon et al 2017, Ortodossi et al 2019. Studies demonstrate that beach invertebrates play critical roles as food resources for fauna that possess high social values, such as migrating and wintering birds, nesting shorebirds, and coastal fish (Peterson et al 2006, Cohen et al 2010, Manning et al 2013, Nel et al 2014.…”