Harvey J. Marchant

Controls on the carbon isotopic composition of southern ocean phytoplankton

Carbon isotopic compositions of suspended organic matter and biomarker compounds were determined for 59 samples filtered from Southern Ocean surface waters in January 1994 along two north-south transects (WOCE SR3 from Tasmania to Antarctica, and across the Princess Elizabeth Trough (PET) east of Prydz Bay, Antarctica). Along the SR3 line, bulk organic matter show generally decreasing 13C contents southward, which are well correlated with increasing dissolved molecular carbon dioxide concentrations, CO2(aq). This relationship does not hold along the PET transect. Using concentrations and isotopic compositions of molecular compounds, we evaluate the relative roles of several factors affecting the δ13C of Southern Ocean suspended particulate organic matter. Along the WOCE SR3 transect, the concentration of CO2(aq) plays an important role. It is well described by a supply versus demand model for the extent of cellular CO2 utilization and its associated linear dependence of isotopic fractionation (EP) on the reciprocal of CO2(aq). An equally important factor appears to be changes in algal assemblages along the SR3 transect, with their contribution to isotopic fractionation also well described by the supply and demand model, when formulated to include the cell surface/volume control of supply. Changes in microalgal growth rates appear to have a minor effect on EP. Along the PET transect, algal assemblage changes and possibly changes in microalgal growth rates appear to strongly affect the carbon isotopic variations of suspended organic matter. These results can be used to improve the formulation of modern carbon cycle models that include phytoplankton carbon isotopic fractionation.

Protist abundance and carbon concentration during a Phaeocystis-dominated bloom at an Antarctic coastal site

SummaryChanges in the concentrations of bacteria, phytoplankton, protozoa, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate carbohydrate (PCHO) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) were followed throughout the summer at an Antarctic coastal site. The colonial prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii was the first major phytoplankton species to bloom, reaching concentrations of 6 × 107 cells · 1−1 and remained numerically dominant for most of the summer. During the P. pouchetii bloom the concentration of most other autotrophs did not increase. Microheterotroph abundance peaked during or immediately after the Phaeocystis bloom. Their peak coincided with very high concentrations of organic carbon, particularly DOC which exceeded 100 mg · 1−1, and low bacterial abundance. Maximum bacterial abundance was reached after the decline in microheterotroph numbers. Bacterial utilization of carbon substrates and microheterotroph grazing of bacteria and uptake of DOC may form an important link to higher trophic levels during Antarctic Phaeocystis blooms.

Influence of culture temperature on the growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae

The growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae cultured at different temperatures, ranging from 4, 6, 9, 14, 20 to 30 ∘C, were compared. The algae were isolated from seawater, freshwater, soil and snow samples collected during our recent expeditions to Casey, Antarctica, and are currently deposited in the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). The algae chosen for the study were Chlamydomonas UMACC 229, Chlorella UMACC 234, Chlorella UMACC 237, Klebsormidium UMACC 227, Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238. All the isolates could grow at temperatures up to 20 ∘C; three isolates, namely Navicula UMACC 231 and the two Chlorella isolates (UMACC 234 and UMACC 237) grew even at 30 ∘C. Both Chlorella UMACC 234 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 had broad optimal temperatures for growth, ranging from 6 to 20 ∘C (μ = 0.19 – 0.22 day–1) and 4 to 14 ∘C (μ = 0.13 – 0.16 day–1), respectively. In contrast, optimal growth temperatures for NaviculaUMACC 231 and Chlamydomonas UMACC 229 were 4 ∘C (μ = 0.34 day–1) and 6–9 ∘C (μ = 0.39 – 0.40 day–1), respectively. The protein content of the Antarctic algae was markedly affected by culture temperature. All except Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 contained higher amount of proteins when grown at low temperatures (6–9 ∘C). The percentage of PUFA, especially 20:5 in Navicula UMACC 231 decreased with increasing culture temperature. However, the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids did not show consistent trend with culture temperature for the other algae studied.

Polylysine as an adhesive for the attachment of nanoplankton to substrates for electron microscopy

Nanoplankton can be readily attached to polylysine‐coated substrates for examination by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. This simple technique gives high yields of organisms which are consistently better preserved and less obscured by detritus than samples dried directly on to substrates.

PARMALES, A NEW ORDER OF MARINE CHRYSOPHYTES, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW GENERA AND SEVEN NEW SPECIES

A new order, Parmales, in the Chrysophyceae has cells with siliceous walls made up of round, triradiate and sometimes oblong plates all fitting edge to edge. In the new family, Octolaminaceae, cell walls have eight plates. Cell walls in the new genus Tetraparma have four round plates and four triradiate plates. Cell walls in the new genus Triparma have three round plates of equal size, one larger round plate, one triradiate plate and three oblong plates. In the new family, Pentalaminaceae, cell walls have three round and two triradiate plates. A total of seven new species and four subspecies are described from subarctic Pacific and Antarctic waters.

Microtubules associated with the plasma membrane isolated from protoplasts of the green alga Mougeotia.

Abstract Protoplasts of the green freshwater alga Mougeotia were attached to surfaces coated with poly- l -lysine and burst by osmotic shock. Microtubules could be seen by both scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to be associated with the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. The microtubules were identified by treatments with cold and colchicine and by immunofluorescence using antibodies against tubulin.

The role of microtubules and cell-wall deposition in elongation of regenerating protoplasts of Mougeotia

Protoplasts of the filamentous green alga Mougeotia sp. are spherical when isolated and revert to their normal cylindrical cell shape during regeneration of a cell wall. Sections of protoplasts show that cortical microtubules are present at all times but examination of osmotically ruptured protoplasts by negative staining shows that the microtubules are initially free and become progressively cross-bridged to the plasma membrane during the first 3 h of protoplast culture. Cell-wall microfibrils areoobserved within 60 min when protoplasts are returned to growth medium; deposition of microfibrils that is predominantly transverse to the future axis of elongation is detectable after about 6 h of culture. When regenerating protoplasts are treated with either colchicine or isopropyl-N-phenyl carbamate, drugs which interfere with microtubule polymerization, they remain spherical and develop cell walls in which the microfibrils are randomly oriented.

Seasonal variation in marine phytoplankton and ice algae at a shallow antarctic coastal site

The phytoplankton population near Davis, Vestfold Hills, Antarctica was monitored throughout 1982. Chlorophyll-a determinations and counts of living cells in both the water column and sea ice demonstrated a marked seasonality in phytoplankton abundane and species composition. From April to October nanoplanktonic organisms contributed most of the chlorophyll-a in both the sea ice and water column. Blooms of diatoms occurred in May, November and December in the bottom of the sea-ice and in January and February in the water column. Phaeocystis pouchetii was dominant during December in the water column. Large numbers of dead diatoms were found in winter. The concentrations of nitrate, dissolved inorganic phosphate and dissolved silicate increased throughout the year until December, when the concentrations of nitrate and silicate fell sharply, followed a month later by a reduction in phosphate concentration. The diversity of phytoplankton was greatest during the summer months.

Seasonal cycle of the microbial plankton in Crooked Lake, Antarctica

SummaryChanges in the abundance of the components of the microbial plankton between July 1990 and March 1991 in Crooked Lake, one of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in Antarctica, are described. Chlorophyll a concentration is low (0.2–0.4μg·1−1) and there is no discernable spring increase. The phytoplankton is largely dominated by flagellates. Bacterioplankton exhibits a seasonal pattern of abundance ranging from 1.0 × 108·1−1 in July to 3.25 × 108·1−1 in September. Changes in bacterial abundance probably relate to temperature and grazing by heterotrophic and mixotrophic flagellates. Total flagellated protozoan concentrations ranged between 25–136 × 102·l−1. Autotrophic and heterotrophic flagellate abundances were coupled and peaks in their abundance oscillated with peaks in bacterioplankton concentration. Four species of ciliated protozoa, dominated by oligotrichs, particularly the plastidic Strombidium, inhabit the lake. The plankton is characterised by the presence of floes which act as loci for bacteria, flagellates and amoebae and feeding sites for the ciliates and the two sparce metazoan components of the plankton. Crooked Lake is extremely oligotrophic but nonetheless supports a plankton community with a low species diversity and simple trophodynamics.

The microbial plankton of freshwater lakes in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica

SummaryThe plankton of twelve freshwater and slightly saline lakes in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica was sampled in February 1991. All of the lakes are oligotrophic. The chlorophyll a concentrations in the lakes ranged from 0.10–2.69 μg · 1−1. The majority of the phytoplankton were flagellates or picoplanktonic cyanobacteria with the species composition varying between the lakes. Cyanobacteria were found in five of the lakes. Five to 6 species of ciliated protozoa occurred, among them oligotrichs, including the mixotrophic species Strombidium viride. The concentrations of protists and bacteria were an order to several orders of magnitude lower than reported from lower latitude oligotrophic lakes. Low species diversity and low numbers in the plankton characterise these eastern Antarctica lakes which reflects their low nutrient status and isolation.