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An ecological study of a massive bloom of toxigenic Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata off the Washington State coast

An ecological study of a massive bloom of toxigenic Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata off the Washington State coast

Authors :
Trainer, Vera L.
Wells, Mark L.
Cochlan, William P.
Trick, Charles G.
Bill, Brian D.
Baugh, Keri A.
Beall, Benjamin F.
Herndon, Julian
Lundholmf, Nina
Source :
Limnology and Oceanography; September 2009, Vol. 54 Issue: 5 p1461-1474, 14p
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

In September 2004 a large, nearly monospecific diatom bloom of Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata off the coast of the state of Washington reached cell concentrations of 6.1 × 106cells L−1and produced maximum particulate domoic acid (pDA), dissolved domoic acid (dDA), and cellular domoic acid concentrations of 43 nmol L−11, 4 nmol L−1, and 63 pg cell−1, respectively. This bloom co‐dominated the phytoplankton assemblage with the euglenoid Eutreptiella sp. in the Juan de Fuca eddy region, a known initiation site for toxigenic Pseudo‐nitzschiablooms. Two isolates of P. cuspidatacollected during separate cruises produced domoic acid (DA) in culture. During the September 2004 survey, 84% of the stations (n = 98) had detectable Pseudo‐nitzschiaand 78% had detectable pDA. There were no significant correlations between either pDA or cellular DA and ambient concentrations of macronutrients; however, when considering only those stations where Pseudo‐nitzschiawas present, pDA was positively correlated with chlorophyll a and negatively correlated with temperature (p ≪ 0.01) at both 1‐ and 5‐m depths. Correlations between cellular DA concentrations and total bacteria or cyanobacteria abundances were not significant. Variable ratios of pDA:dDA in the eddy region suggest that DA release was under cellular regulation by Pseudo‐nitzschia. Stations where dissolved Fe concentrations were limiting (,0.5 nmol L−1) had the highest Pseudo‐nitzschiaabundances and pDA and cellular DA values. These results provide enticing field evidence of the role of Fe limitation in controlling cellular DA levels.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00243590 and 19395590
Volume :
54
Issue :
5
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Limnology and Oceanography
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs59946076
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2009.54.5.1461