Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS41 Phytoplankton: Nutrient Dynamics and Physiology

Date: Friday, February 16, 2001, Time: 9:30:00 AM

Location: Galisteo

Menezes, S, , University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, USA, sunshine@gso.uri.edu

Hargraves, P, E, University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, USA, pharg@gso.uri.edu

NANOPLANKTON SPECIES DIVERSITY ALONG AN ESTUARINE GRADIENT IN THE PETTAQUAMSCUTT RIVER, RHODE ISLAND, USA

Nanoplankton comprise an important component of microbial loop dynamics via the interaction of heterotrophic and mixotrophic flagellates with bacteria and higher trophic levels. This size fraction also contains a diverse taxonomic assemblage that is often overlooked. A seasonal survey of nanoplankton biodiversity was undertaken to clarify taxonomic trends in this size fraction in the Pettaquamscutt River Estuary, Rhode Island, USA. This ecosystem represents a dynamic and convenient study site, as it is a small (~9 km long), easily accessible estuary, with a salinity gradient ranging from ~5 ppt to ~32 ppt, exclusive of groundwater intrusion. Taxonomic diversity, heterotroph/autotroph ratios, chlorophyll a, nutrient concentrations, and physical characteristics have been recorded for each of five stations along the salinity gradient of the estuary. The results of this survey suggest that the estuary can be divided into lower and upper river regions according to factors such as temperature, salinity and nutrient concentrations, while chlorophyll and taxonomic variables show three distinct regions. Maximum species richness was found at the site where salinity and nutrient concentrations had intermediate values.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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