Drivers of phytoplankton blooms in the northeastern Black Sea. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silkin, V.A.; Pautova, L.A.; Giordano, M.; Chasovnikov, V.K.; Vostokov, S.V.; Podymov, O.I.; Pakhomova, S.V.; Moskalenko, L.V.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 138(2019)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Blooms -- Ecological succession -- Nutrients -- Ecological stoichiometry -- Phytoplankton -- Wind; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: In order to understand of the processes controlling phytoplankton successions in the NE Black Sea, long-term data series are needed. We compiled 15 years (2002–2017) of measurements from which the existence emerges of a tight link between phytoplankton species dominance and nutrients concentrations. The latter is strongly influenced by wind direction. The link between algal dominance and nutrients is mediated by the growth strategy adopted by algal species. In spring, when nutrients are abundant, small diatoms such as Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima, with a "rapid growth strategy", prevail. In late spring and early summer, when N is low and P and Si are high, coccolithophorids such as Emiliania huxhleyi dominate, thanks to an "affinity growth strategy". Large diatoms, especially Pseudosolenia calcar-avis, dominate in summer and autumn, when their "storage growth strategy" allows the exploitation of discontinuous upwelling of nutrients. These seasonal changes of dominant species influence the structure of the food web. Highlights: A 15-years data series was used to describe phytoplankton dynamics in the Black Sea. The seasonal changes of phytoplankton are primarily driven by nutrients and winds. The growth strategy determines species dominance in different nutritional regimes.