Renate Scharek

Climate influence on deep sea populations.

Dynamics of biological processes on the deep-sea floor are traditionally thought to be controlled by vertical sinking of particles from the euphotic zone at a seasonal scale. However, little is known about the influence of lateral particle transport from continental margins to deep-sea ecosystems. To address this question, we report here how the formation of dense shelf waters and their subsequent downslope cascade, a climate induced phenomenon, affects the population of the deep-sea shrimp Aristeus antennatus. We found evidence that strong currents associated with intense cascading events correlates with the disappearance of this species from its fishing grounds, producing a temporary fishery collapse. Despite this initial negative effect, landings increase between 3 and 5 years after these major events, preceded by an increase of juveniles. The transport of particulate organic matter associated with cascading appears to enhance the recruitment of this deep-sea living resource, apparently mitigating the general trend of overexploitation. Because cascade of dense water from continental shelves is a global phenomenon, we anticipate that its influence on deep-sea ecosystems and fisheries worldwide should be larger than previously thought.

Biogeochemical dynamics and the silicon cycle in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean during austral spring 1992

High biogenic silica (BSi) concentrations (maximum: 11.7μmoll−1) were recorded during late November at the southern border of the Polar Frontal region (PFr). Position of the BSi maximum at depth suggested the occurrence of a sinking diatom population. By contrast, siliceous biomass was low (BSi <0.6 μmol l−1) in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) despite a sea-ice retreat of 200 km during the study period. Diatoms released from the receding ice were not actively growing. The Permanently Open Ocean Zone also showed very low BSi biomass (<0.5μmol l−1) and appeared as an area where phytoplankton are not dominated by siliceous organisms, especially in its middle part where BSi/POC (particulate organic carbon) molar ratios ranged between 0.04 and 0.06 at 53°S, from surface to 200 m depth. At the southern border of the PFZ, the bloom coincided with an area of high lithogenic silica concentrations probably of aeolian origin. In addition, BSi/POC molar ratios measured in the PFZ were the highest ever recorded in the surface waters of the Southern Ocean (maximum: 1.75). This could be due to the presence of heavily silicified diatoms such as Fragilariopsis kerguelensis or also could reflect the more rapid recycling of POC as compared to BSi. Within the bloom area BSi concentrations were positively correlated to pyrophaeophytin pigments, possibly indicating the occurrence of a senescent diatom population. High concentrations of BSi (> 1.5 μmol Si 1−1) extended to 200 m between 49°S and 51°S. Numerous empty frustules also were observed, suggesting significant sedimentation of siliceous particles between 49°S and 51°S. Estimates of the BSi production of the Polar Frontal region are derived from 14C primary production and appropriate BSi/POC ratios, and implications for the total annual production of BSi for the Southern Ocean are discussed.

Thick-shelled, grazer-protected diatoms decouple ocean carbon and silicon cycles in the iron-limited Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Significance Silica-shelled diatoms dominate marine phytoplankton blooms and play a key role in ocean ecology and the global carbon cycle. We show how differences in ecological traits of dominant Southern Ocean diatom species, observed during the in situ European Iron Fertilization Experiment (EIFEX), can influence ocean carbon and silicon cycles. We argue that the ecology of thick-shelled diatom species, selected for by heavy copepod grazing, sequesters silicon relative to other nutrients in the deep Southern Ocean and underlying sediments to the detriment of diatom growth elsewhere. This evolutionary arms race provides a framework to link ecology with biogeochemistry of the ocean. Diatoms of the iron-replete continental margins and North Atlantic are key exporters of organic carbon. In contrast, diatoms of the iron-limited Antarctic Circumpolar Current sequester silicon, but comparatively little carbon, in the underlying deep ocean and sediments. Because the Southern Ocean is the major hub of oceanic nutrient distribution, selective silicon sequestration there limits diatom blooms elsewhere and consequently the biotic carbon sequestration potential of the entire ocean. We investigated this paradox in an in situ iron fertilization experiment by comparing accumulation and sinking of diatom populations inside and outside the iron-fertilized patch over 5 wk. A bloom comprising various thin- and thick-shelled diatom species developed inside the patch despite the presence of large grazer populations. After the third week, most of the thinner-shelled diatom species underwent mass mortality, formed large, mucous aggregates, and sank out en masse (carbon sinkers). In contrast, thicker-shelled species, in particular Fragilariopsis kerguelensis, persisted in the surface layers, sank mainly empty shells continuously, and reduced silicate concentrations to similar levels both inside and outside the patch (silica sinkers). These patterns imply that thick-shelled, hence grazer-protected, diatom species evolved in response to heavy copepod grazing pressure in the presence of an abundant silicate supply. The ecology of these silica-sinking species decouples silicon and carbon cycles in the iron-limited Southern Ocean, whereas carbon-sinking species, when stimulated by iron fertilization, export more carbon per silicon. Our results suggest that large-scale iron fertilization of the silicate-rich Southern Ocean will not change silicon sequestration but will add carbon to the sinking silica flux.

Physical anatomy of fronts and surface waters in the ACC near the 6°W meridian during austral spring 1992

Small-scale features of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) along a meridional section at 6°W between the Polar Front and the ACC-Weddell Gyre Boundary Front are discussed using data collected during the austral spring cruise ANT X/6 of R. V. Polarstern organized within the framework of the European IGBP-JGOFS (Southern Ocean). The section covered three distinct fronts, namely the Polar Front, the Southern Polar Front (also Southern ACC Front), and the ACC-Weddell Gyre Boundary Front. Physical measurements during repeated transects over a period of 6 weeks in October/November revealed a large variability in the Polar Frontal region, indicating meandering and eddy shedding. The positions of the Southern Polar Front and the ACC-Weddell Gyre Boundary Front were observed to be far more stable than that of the Polar Front. A possible reconstruction of the meandering flow field near the Polar Front, based upon the physical observations, is presented. Details in the flow field coincide with the spatial distribution of a number of biological parameters such as phytoplankton biomass and species, and photosynthetic pigments. Although a causal relationship between them is likely, biomass enhancement cannot be understood simply in terms of macronutrients from deeper layers entering the euphotic zone, as substantiated for other oceanic frontal regions, because macronutrients do not limit phytoplankton blooms. This process, however, can be important for the micronutrient iron. Evidence is presented that the Antarctic Zone of the ACC can be subdivided into a number of spheres of influence related to the fronts. Interleaving of water is apparent between positions within such a region, but not between the regions.

PIGMENT SUITES AND TAXONOMIC GROUPS IN PRASINOPHYCEAE

Pigment analysis performed on 30 Prasinophyceae strains revealed two main groups: the prasinoxanthin‐containing and prasinoxanthin‐less Prasinophyceae. Prasinoxanthin‐containing Prasinophyceae comprised the orders Mamiellales, Pseudoscourfieldiales (Pycnococcaceae), and Prasinococcales. For this group, classification with pigment composition showed a good agreement with molecular phylogeny. Mamiellales, except Crustomastix stigmatica, accumulated uriolide, micromonal, dihydrolutein, and the pigment Unidentified M1 as characteristic pigments. Prasinococcales and Pseudoscourfieldiales (Pycnococcaceae) lacked micromonal and Unidentified M1. In addition, Pseudoscourfieldiales (Pycnococcaceae) lacked uriolide. A chl c3‐like pigment was present in prasinoxanthin‐containing strains isolated from the deep sea. Common green algae pigments, a loroxanthin derivative, and siphonaxanthin plus derivatives were found in the prasinoxanthin‐less Prasinophyceae, which included strains from Pyramimonadales, Pseudoscourfieldiales (Nephroselmidiaceae), Chlorodendrales, and a new order. Although some associations could be observed, the correspondence between pigments and molecular taxonomy was less clear for this group.

Temporal variations in diatom abundance and downward vertical flux in the oligotrophic North Pacific gyre

Abstract The abundance of diatoms in the water column and the downward vertical flux of diatom cells from the euphotic zone were investigated during a time series of 11 monthly cruises (June 1994–July 1995) to Station ALOHA (22°45′N, 158°00′W) as one component of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) Program. The diatom community was studied using light microscopy and by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) pigment analyses. Distinct diatom assemblages were found in the mixed-layer and in the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum Layer (DCML). Diatom cell abundances in the water column were generally low during the year, except in July 1994, when they increased in the upper euphotic layer. Two lightly silicified species ( Hemiaulus hauckii [Grunow] and Mastogloia woodiana [Taylor]) were mainly responsible for this increase. Other less abundant diatom species present in the mixed-layer assemblage showed a similar temporal pattern. H. hauckii contained Richelia -type endosymbionts with heterocysts and was presumably able to fix dinitrogen. Both species of diatoms also were an important component of the vertical diatom flux out of the euphotic zone, which, likewise, was highest in July 1994. During this maximum export period, aggregates of these two species were collected in the drifting sediment traps. In the DCML, diatom abundances and export were low throughout the year, with the exception of one genus ( Pseudonitzschia ) for which a slight concentration increase was observed in spring. Reflecting the observed diatom cell abundance and vertical flux, fucoxanthin concentrations (a pigment marker for diatoms) did not indicate any significant increase of diatom pigment biomass in the DCML during the year. Ratios of diadinoxanthin to chromophyte pigments suggested that the phytoplankton cells sinking out of the euphotic zone in midsummer originated from the mixed-layer. The attenuation of the pigment vertical fluxes with depth was significantly lower for fucoxanthin, indicating a generally slower decay of diatom flux with depth compared with other phytoplankton groups. Our findings suggest that, in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean, summer conditions seem to favor the development of selected species of diatoms in the mixed-layer and that these assemblages appear to be more important with regard to export production than those in the DCML.

Losses of chlorophylls and carotenoids in aqueous acetone and methanol extracts prepared for RPHPLC analysis of pigments

SummaryRPHPLC methods for analysis of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) usually require addition of water to methanol or acetone extracts to prevent distortion of early-eluting peaks corresponding to the more polar compounds. In this work we have investigated the short-(<2 min) and long-term (up to 48 h) effect of adding water to acetone and methanol extracts from two marine phytoplankton species,Emiliania hyxleyi andDunaliella tertiolecta. Solvent extracts were prepared and separated into fractions that were subsequently diluted with water to 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, and 40% for methanol, and the same range extended to 30% and 20% for acetone. Changes in pigment concentration with time were followed spectrophotometrically and chromatographically. Losses of pigments as a result of precipitation were clearly observed immediately after dilution of acetone extracts to 60% or less and methanol extracts to 80% or less. For chlorophyll a the most substantial losses were recorded for 50% acetone (up to 27% decrease) and for 70% methanol (31% decrease). This effect increased considerably with time. Only for 90% and 80% acetone were the initial concentrations of all the pigments unchanged after 24h, and even up to 48 h. In contrast, more than 60% and 57% of the initial amounts of chlorophyll a were lost after 24 h in 50% acetone and 70% methanol extracts, respectively. These losses increased to 83% and 60% after 48 h. There was a clear correlation between the polarity of a pigment and the polarity of the solvent at which maximum precipitation occurred. Losses of pigment from pure acetone and methanol extracts with time were also observed, although we attribute these to pigment degradation rather than precipitation. Some of the losses occurring with time can be avoided by use of autosamplers in which the sample can be mixed with water immediately before injection.