Nutrient loading and spatial-temporal dynamics of phytoplankton guilds in a Southern Italian Coastal Lagoon (Lake Alimini Grande, Otranto, Italy)

The importance of external and internal P-loading to the structural organization and dynamics of phytoplankton guilds in a Southern Italy coastal lagoon (Lake Alimini Grande) was investigated. To this end, phosphorus external loading through localized freshwater inputs was measured, P-release throug...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemistry and ecology Vol. 20; no. sup1; pp. 285 - 301
Main Authors: Vadrucci, M. R., Semeraro, A., Zaccarelli, N., Basset, A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis 01-06-2004
Subjects:
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The importance of external and internal P-loading to the structural organization and dynamics of phytoplankton guilds in a Southern Italy coastal lagoon (Lake Alimini Grande) was investigated. To this end, phosphorus external loading through localized freshwater inputs was measured, P-release through detritus decomposition on sediments was evaluated, and phytoplankton abundance, biomass and taxonomic composition were quantified at 33 sites and 12 sampling times from September 1998 to September 1999. P-loading in the area was greater in the winter (26.5 µM P m −2  d −1 ) than in the summer (18.4 µM P m −2  d −1 ). In the winter, external inputs were 61.7% of the total, while in summer, internal inputs accounted for 99.8% of the total. Phytoplankton biomass was related to P inputs. In particular, the spatial distribution of phytoplankton biomass was related to external inputs in winter-spring, and to internal inputs in summer-autumn. A total of 228 phytoplankton taxa were identified of which 13 taxa accounted for more than 80% of phytoplankton abundance. The spatial and temporal dynamics of 13 taxa were related to P-availability and habitat heterogeneity.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Conference-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
content type line 23
ISSN:0275-7540
1029-0370
DOI:10.1080/02757540410001665944