The Fascinating Origin and Succession of Plankton Blooms and Their Surprising Effects on Secondary Production

Plankton blooms are mesmerizing natural events that occur in aquatic environments. These spectacular population explosions of tiny organisms play a crucial role in the aquatic food chain, impacting the overall ecosystem and ultimately affecting secondary production. In this article, we will explore the origin and succession of plankton blooms and delve into their surprising effects on secondary production.

Understanding Plankton Blooms

Plankton blooms, also known as algal blooms, are dramatic increases in the concentration of microscopic organisms in a body of water. They can be caused by various factors, including changes in temperature, nutrient availability, and amount of sunlight reaching the water.

Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Systems: Origin and Succession of Plankton Blooms and Effects on Secondary Production in Gulf Coast Estuaries (CRC Marine Science Book 22)

by Robert J. Livingston (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	115163 KB
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Print length	:	352 pages
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These blooms primarily consist of phytoplankton, which are tiny, photosynthetic organisms that form the foundation of the marine food web. However, zooplankton, which are small animals that feed on phytoplankton, can also be part of these blooms.

Origin of Plankton Blooms

The origin of plankton blooms lies in the complex interactions between physical, chemical, and biological factors. Nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, plays a vital role in their initiation. These nutrients can come from various sources, such as sewage runoff, industrial waste, or natural sediments.

When the conditions are favorable, these nutrients stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, leading to an increase in their population. The presence of sunlight allows these organisms to undergo photosynthesis, providing them with the energy needed for their rapid growth and reproduction.

Succession of Plankton Blooms

The succession of plankton blooms refers to the pattern of changes in the dominant species within a bloom over time. It is influenced by factors like water temperature, nutrient availability, grazing pressure from zooplankton, and competition among the different species of phytoplankton.

Typically, a bloom begins with the rapid growth of diatoms, a type of phytoplankton with a hard outer shell made of silica. As their population reaches its peak, other types of phytoplankton, such as dinoflagellates and coccolithophores, start to thrive. This succession can have significant impacts on the composition and productivity of the ecosystem.

Effects on Secondary Production

The effects of plankton blooms on secondary production, which refers to the production of organisms that feed on primary producers like phytoplankton, can be both positive and negative.

On the positive side, plankton blooms provide an abundant and concentrated source of food for zooplankton. This results in an increase in their population and growth rates, which can ultimately lead to higher production of small fish and other organisms that rely on zooplankton as a food source.

However, excessive blooms can have negative consequences. As the phytoplankton population increases, the water becomes clouded, reducing the penetration of sunlight. This limits the growth of submerged vegetation and can lead to the depletion of oxygen in the water, resulting in hypoxic conditions harmful to other aquatic organisms.

Plankton blooms are captivating events that have a significant impact on the intricate balance of aquatic ecosystems. Understanding their origin and succession helps us comprehend the underlying processes and appreciate their importance. The effects of these blooms on secondary production highlight the intricate web of interactions within the aquatic food chain. By studying and monitoring plankton blooms, scientists can better manage and protect our precious aquatic environments for future generations.

Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Systems: Origin and Succession of Plankton Blooms and Effects on Secondary Production in Gulf Coast Estuaries (CRC Marine Science Book 22)

by Robert J. Livingston (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	115163 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	352 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Derived from an unprecedented research effort covering over 31 years in a series of studies of 7 major river-estuaries, Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Systems presents a comprehensive and current review of the nature of the eutrophication process and how short- and long-term nutrient loading affects marine systems. This unique book is the culmination of the most advanced research to date on how coastal systems work.
Based on an 11 year interdisciplinary study of the Perdido Bay System, Dr. Robert J. Livingston's groundbreaking work offers evidence for significant findings such as:

• Nutrient concentration gradients in fresh water as it entered the bay were stimulatory to phytoplankton blooms
  
• Species that showed distinctive seasonal and interannual successions dominated plankton blooms
  
• High relative dominance of bloom species was associated with significant reduction of phytoplankton species richness and diversity
  
• The blooms were associated with major reductions of infaunal and epibenthic macroinvertibrates, forcing a serious disruption of the food webs and losses of secondary production
  Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Ecosystems goes beyond its innovative analyses of how estuarine and coastal systems have responded to fundamental alterations of the eutrophication process. Dr. Livingston's book presents the case that bloom impacts must be reviewed against the background conditions that include periodic changes brought on by drought and anthropogenous dredging. It points to the critical need for further study of phytoplankton communities and the connection between plankton blooms, sediment deterioration, and low secondary production.