Variability in Phytoplankton Biomass in the German Bight Near Helgoland, 1980-1990
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ICES mar. Sei. Symp., 195: 249-259. 1992 Variability in phytoplankton biomass in the German Bight near Helgoland, 1980-1990 W. Hickel, J. Berg, and K. Treutner Hickel, W., Berg, J.. and Treutner, K. 1992. Variability in phytoplankton biomass in the German Bight near Helgoland, 1980-1990.-IC E S mar. Sei. Symp., 195:249-259. The variability of total phytoplankton biomass and species composition was measured from surface-water samples taken every working day near the island of Helgoland, German Bight, North Sea. These data were analysed, together with data on inorganic nutrients, salinity, and Elbe river discharge. Main diatom growth periods were found in April and June through August, whereas non-diatom phytoplankton (“flagellates’') bloomed in July and August. The biomass in the winter months consisted mainly of unidentified, small “^-flagellates" of uncertain trophic state. Single peaks, or plankton blooms, varied considerably in size and time of occurrence within the vegetation period. Variations of single phytoplankton values ranged from almost nil to 1000/(g organic carbon/1 during the year; variations of two orders of magnitude within a few days were not uncommon, reflecting sequences of different watermasses with their plankton populations. Monthly median values ranged from <10 to 350//g C/1. While the total phytoplankton biomass near Helgoland increased during the last three decades, the potential eutrophication effect on phytoplankton is not very clear. For the decade 1980-1990, there is no apparent trend in phytoplankton increase or decrease, in contrast to other findings in the open North Sea. Analysing two periods of large Elbe river floods (1981/1982 and 1987/1988), an influence of additional nutrient supply on phytoplankton stocks of the inner German Bight was different: whereas late summer floods in 1981 resulted in very large phytoplankton stocks also near Helgo land, early (April) floods in 1987 and 1988 had no such consequences. From the hydrographical structure of the German Bight it is more likely that large river water quantities influence phytoplankton stocks first by increased density stratification and then by adding nutrients; this might be true particularly for the inner German Bight, whereas towards the outer German Bight, where nutrient concentrations rapidly decrease, the eutrophication effect might become more significant. W. Hickel, J. Berg, and K. Treutner: Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Notkestrasse 31, 2000-Hamburg 52, Germany. Introduction 1990 are given here in more detail, together with inor ganic nutrient and salinity data as well as Elbe river The variability of total phytoplankton biomass and discharge volumes, which influence the German Bight in species composition was measured from surface-water many ways. samples, taken every workday at Helgoland Roads, The Helgoland Roads data have been analysed by German Bight, North Sea (Fig. 8). These time-series Gillbricht (1983) for 1981 and Gillbricht (1988) for the measurements were started in 1962 (by Gillbricht) and period 1962-1986. Radach and Berg (1986), Radach et comprise other biological parameters as well as hydro- al. (1990), and Radach and Bohle-Carbonell (1990) graphic and inorganic nutrient measurements. analysed the Helgoland data from 1962 through 1984 in The sampling station, in a narrow channel between respect of the structure of the variance as well as to the two islands of Helgoland, represents a mixed water identify possible trends. from the surrounding sea area and is considered to be representative for a larger area of this transition zone between estuarine and coastal water, and open North Methods Sea water. The last decade being the topic of the ICES Vari Sampling was done on Helgoland Roads (54°11.3'N ability Symposium, the phytoplankton data from 1980- 7°54.0'E) from a boat at a fixed time every workday, 249 thus not taking into account the tidal phase. The water phic Noctiluca) dominated by far in terms of biomass column at the sampling station is about 5 m deep and during their growth period (Fig. 1), though/i-flagellates always well mixed due to strong tidal currents. There were present in large numbers. In winter, however, the fore, the surface sample was considered to be represen "flagellate” biomass consisted mainly of tiny, unident tative for the water column. ified “^-flagellates”. The microplankton was counted with the inverted Salinity was measured with an inductive salinometer, microscope after fixation with Lugol's iodine solution. and inorganic nutrients using the methods described in The determination to the species level was only partly detail by Grasshoff et al. (1983). W ater samples were possible with the fixed material. More often, only the analysed for nutrients immediately after sampling, ex genera could be determined, or higher taxonomic levels. cept in the case of silicate which was analysed from In the case of minute, naked ^-flagellates, only size deep-frozen samples. The Elbe river discharge data classification was possible with the fast counting pro were taken from the yearly reports of the “Arbeits cedure applied here. Counted plankton was converted gemeinschaft für die Reinhaltung der Elbe” (ARGE to organic carbon using factors calculated from size and Elbe 1990a, b, c). The salinity and temperature data shape of the plankters based on Hagmeier (1961). These from the RV “Gauss” cruise in August, 1981. were biomass values, as organic carbon, were then summed measured with a bathysonde by members of the Ger up for diatom and non-diatom ( = “flagellate”) biomass man Hydrographic Institute, Hamburg, and the nutri at least. The “flagellates” thus included various taxono ent analyses were made by Dr K. Eberlein, University mic groups; the dinoflagellates (without the heterotro- of Hamburg. Carbon D i a t o m s Helgoland Roads Pg/1 Years 1980-1990 600! 5001 400-i 3001 200-I 1001 Jan Feb Mar Apr M ayJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec carbon Flagellates Helgoland Roads p g/i Years 1980-1990 600-3 5001 400 H 300] 200 100 0 Figure 1. Annual cycles of diatoms and flagellates, Helgoland Roads (1980-1990). All year cycles projected into one year. Results unidentified, small, naked "^-flagellates” which might have been heterotrophic. Apart from them, very low Growth period of the phytoplankton phytoplankton biomasses were found in winter. Hetero The growth period of diatoms and non-diatoms trophic flagellates, frequent among the size-classes (= “flagellates”) was first determined by projecting all counted as ^-flagellates, would have no problems surviv year-cycles 1980-1990 of the calculated biomasses into ing in winter during poor light conditions, when auto- one year. Figure 1 shows the year-cycles of the single trophic phytoplankters could thrive only in the surface years. Figure 2 gives a scatter plot with the median, water layer, and only during calm wind periods. Seston upper, and lower quartiles. Main diatom growth periods concentrations being high, and wind turbulence nor are obvious from the end of March, with peaks in April mally considerable, conditions for a net production of and May, but further diatom growth also occurred phytoplankton in the water column outside the vege during the whole summer, until mid-September. Non tation period (March to September) would be rare and diatom phytoplankton (“flagellates”), however, are of short duration. This makes it unlikely that a consider abundant in a much more restricted period, from June to able and constant autotrophic ^-flagellate population mid-September only, with a clear peak in July. Obvi could possibly persist throughout the winter. Hence, the ously, the flagellates bloom under typical summer con winter flagellate population, representing a biomass of ditions with high temperatures and high regeneration about 10-15 ug C/1 in the decade considered here, is rates of phosphate and ammonia, whereas diatom likely to be heterotrophic at least during the winter blooms are found both under “new” and “regenerated” period. The separate analysis of the phytoplankton nutrient conditions. during the vegetation period seems to be more appropri The biomass in the winter months consisted mainly of ate. Carbon Diatoms m onthly Medians 1980-1990 ]ig/l Helgoland Roads and 25%, 75% Quartiles 150 125 100 75- 50- 25- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Carbon Flagellâtes monthly Medians 1980-1990 pg/1 Helgoland Roads and 25%, 75% Quartiles 150 125 100 75 50 25 • . s ' , y *»jrs. \ 0 Jan Feb Mar' Apr' May’ Jun1 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Figure 2. Variations in diatom and flagellate biomass at Helgoland Roads. All data for 1980-1990 pooled, with median, upper (75%), and lower (25%) quartiles. 251 Variation of phytoplankton stocks in time body towards the open North Sea; the sites of potential growth-limiting nutrient concentrations in summer are Considering single values, phytoplankton concen not far away from Helgoland. trations varied considerably in size and time of occur rence within the vegetation period. Variations in bio The influence of Elbe river freshwater runoff on mass values ranged from almost nil to 1000 fig organic phytoplankton stocks carbon/1. Variations of two orders of magnitude within a few days were not uncommon, reflecting sequences of The potential eutrophication effect on phytoplankton watermasses with different plankton populations. abundance is not very clear from the Helgoland data, Monthly median values ranged from <10 to 350 fig C/1 certainly not in the decade considered here. A diatom (Fig. 6). increase might have taken place during the period of Considering yearly median biomass values of the phosphate increase, whereas a flagellate increase seems vegetation periods, when a net production of the auto- to have occurred a decade later, along with a nitrogen trophic plankton in the water column is possible, an increase. However, the year-to-year variability was an increase of phytoplankton biomass for the last three order of magnitude larger than a possible trend, and decades seems evident (Fig.