Polychlorinated Biphenyls May Alter Marine Trophic Pathways by Reducing Phytoplankton Size and Production

O'Connors, H.B.; Cf, Wurster; Powers, C.D.; Biggs, Douglas C.; Rowland, Ralph G.

doi:10.1126/science.97784

Cited by 54 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…It is interesting to note that the changes in phytoplankton species composition and size documented above are similar to those caused by higher levels of anthropoyenic stress -namely, a reduction in mean size (O'Connors et al, 1978) and a reduction in dominance of centric diatoms with a concomitant increase in microflagellates and perhaps pennate diatoms (Thomas and Seibert, 1977;Sanders et al, 1980a, b). This suggests the interesting possibility that low levels of anthropogenic stress may affect phytoplankton community structure in a manner opposite to that seen with the higher levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Experimental Evidence of Zooplankton Control of the Species Composition and Size Distribution of Marine Phytoplankton

Ryther¹,

Sanders²

1980

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Grazing by Acartia tonsa in large-volume ( l m3) enclosures caused significant changes in the abundance and species composition of natural phytoplankton. Cell densities and biomass were reduced 20-34 % in two separate experiments. Calculations suggest that grazing was responsible for all of the biomass reduction that occurred. Centric diatoms, especially Skeletonema costatum, were reduced in grazed tanks relative to controls, while microflagellates were greatly increased. Accordingly, size distribution was also affected by zooplankton grazing. Grazed phytoplankton assemblages were composed of a much smaller dominant size class (< 7 pm) than were control assemblages (10-15 pm).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Experimental Evidence of Zooplankton Control of the Species Composition and Size Distribution of Marine Phytoplankton

Ryther¹,

Sanders²

1980

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…The mechanism, however, seems not to involve simple and easily reversible adsorption of the compound to the outer surface of the algal cells. Phytoplankton plays a very important role in supporting the growth of many aquatic biota through the food chain and can influence the speciation and transport of pollutants in the water column [39]. The PBDEs likely are more susceptible to environmental degradation than PCBs because of the C-Br bond being weaker than the C-Cl bond.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of brominated diphenyl ether‐99 toxicity with Raphidocelis subcapitata and Daphnia magna

Evandri

Costa

Bolle

2003

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Brominated flame retardants belong to a new class of environmental contaminants. To obtain new information regarding the effects of 2,2',4,4',5-brominated diphenyl ether (BDE-99), one of the most frequently reported congeners in freshwater biota, the inhibition of algal growth of Raphidocelis subcapitara (also known as Selenastrum capricornutum) and acute toxicity to Daphnia magna were examined. The experimental design also involved a comparison with the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1254. The uptake of BDE-99 by R. subcapitata and the transfer to D. magna (i.e., a higher level of aquatic biota in the food chain) was also assessed to verify the bioaccumulation phenomenon. After 24 h, BDE-99 appeared to be less toxic than Aroclor 1254 to D. magna, but the two compounds showed a similar toxicity at 48 h. In contrast to Aroclor 1254, BDE-99 was nontoxic to R. subcapitata at up to 100 microM, the highest tested concentration. However, the dose-dependent decrease in survival and impairment of reproduction of D. magna fed with BDE-99-treated algal culture demonstrate uptake by R. subcapitata. Because of the high persistence and bioconcentration, polybrominated diphenyl ethers as well as PCBs might be of environmental concern for years.

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“…dissolved oxygen content, nutrient concentrations and relative ratios such as N/P or N/Si, presence of toxicants such as heavy meals, PCB 's, DDT's etc.) alter the species composition of phytoplankton, bacteria, protozoa as well as metazoans, in nature (Thomas & Seibert, 1977;O'Connors et al, 1978;Sanders et al, 1987;Fenchel et al, 1990;S0ndergaard et al, 1991 ). For phytoplankton, taxonomic composition, as well as gross productivity are dependent on absolute amounts and ratios of various inorganic nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicate.…”

Section: Potential Alteredfood Web Structure In Long Island Soundmentioning

confidence: 96%

The planktonic food web structure of a temperate zone estuary, and its alteration due to eutrophication

Capriulo

Smith

Troy

et al. 2002

Nutrients and Eutrophication in Estuaries and Coastal Waters

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Current conventional wisdom argues that human-induced excesses in nutrient loadings to estuaries often stimulate 'excess' algal production leading to hypoxia, via bacterial pathways, and subsequent reduced recruitment/survival of finfish and shellfish. Why wouldn't such elevated production stimulate more animal production, rather than less? In a three-year study of Long Island Sound, U.S.A., a multitude of variables were quantified along a west to east gradient, to address the above question via the hypothesis that different successes among planktonic species experiencing eutrophication alter planktonic food web structure away from traditional pathways to microbial loop dominated ones. Variables studied included: nutrient concentrations and ratios (i.e. N02, N03, NH4, DON, PON, P04, Silicate, NIP and N/Si), phytoplankton, protozooplanktonic ciliate, zooplankton, heterotrophic nanoplankton (HNAN), photosynthetic nanoplankton (PNAN), size-fractionated chlorophyll, larval fish and bacterial concentrations and/or species composition, and bacterial growth rates (as frequency of dividing cells, FDC). Results indicated that although current nitrogen and other nutrient loadings into the estuary are much higher than past inputs (especially in western waters), the average concentration of dissolved inorganic nutrients is similar (though slightly higher) to past values. Relative proportioning among chemical species does vary from west to east, with NH4 and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) at times more prevalent in the west, especially in bottom waters. Excess loadings of nitrogen and other nutrients into the estuary are converted to elevated biomass of both small ( < I 0 f.Lm), and large (>20 f.Lm) phytoplankton in the west. Slightly enhanced bacterial densities and growth rates shadow the elevated chlorophyll levels, with distinctive Sound-wide seasonal patterns that follow not total chlorophyll, but rather PNAN concentrations. HNAN concentrations also are elevated in the west, and likely influence bacterial dynamics. Species composition of phytoplankton routinely differ west to east. Inorganic NIP are routinely low (i.e. below Redfield ratios), especially in the west, while total dissolved N/P (i.e. including DON) are similar among stations and typically are significantly higher than Redfield ratios. Associated with bacterial and < 10 f.Lm chlorophyll enhancements to an elevated diversity of ciliate species in the west. Copepod biomass is extremely enhanced in the west, indicating that while stimulating the microbial loop, eutrophication is also enhancing the secondary production preferred by larval fish and gelatinous zooplankton. Larval fish diversity is down relative to the past, but shows little contemporaneous west/east variations. So, if adult fish populations are down, but larvae are not food limited, possibly toxicity, overfishing, and/or habitat destruction which prevent a healthy, normal system response to eutrophication are culpable. It is suggested that recipients of the excess copepod production are ...

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Polychlorinated Biphenyls May Alter Marine Trophic Pathways by Reducing Phytoplankton Size and Production

Cited by 54 publications

References 14 publications

Experimental Evidence of Zooplankton Control of the Species Composition and Size Distribution of Marine Phytoplankton

Experimental Evidence of Zooplankton Control of the Species Composition and Size Distribution of Marine Phytoplankton

Evaluation of brominated diphenyl ether‐99 toxicity with Raphidocelis subcapitata and Daphnia magna

The planktonic food web structure of a temperate zone estuary, and its alteration due to eutrophication

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