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Phosphorus dynamics and bioavailability in sediments of the Penzé Estuary (NW France): in relation to annual P-fluxes and occurrences of Alexandrium Minutum

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Abstract

The macrotidal estuary of Penzé (Brittany, Western part of the Channel, France) has been subjected to recurrent annual toxic blooms of Alexandrium minutum since 1988. This study aims to specify the phosphorus dynamics and bioavailability in sediments in order to improve our understanding of Alexandrium occurrences. Sediment-P pools and diffusive phosphate fluxes were studied under similar hydrodynamic conditions, in the intermediate estuary in May, June and July 2003 and along the salinity gradient from August 2004 to June 2005. The results highlight a decrease in bioavailable phosphorus (iron and organic bound) from the inner part of the estuary seaward. The ratio of iron-bound phosphorus to iron-oxyhydroxides is lower in the inner and intermediate estuaries (5–8) than in the outer site (15), suggesting a saturation of sorption sites and greater phosphorus bioavailability in this area. Pools of bioavailable phosphorus in surficial sediments are about eight times higher than the annual net-export of P (7 ton year−1). Phosphate releases from sediments are always lower than 5 μmol m−2 d−1 in March. The highest supplies occur in June and August in the intermediate area (up to 400 μmol m−2 d−1) where they represent up to 50% of river loadings. These results further suggest that phosphate pulses coincide with occurrences of Alexandrium reported in June.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been partially funded by the Improving Coastal and Recreational Waters project (ICREW). We wish to thank Philippe Cann, Anne Daniel-Scuiller, Marie-Madeleine Danielou and Erwan Le Gall for their helpful collaboration during the sampling surveys. Thanks to an anonymous reviewer, Daniel Delmas, Jean-François Guillaud and Claire Labry who provided numerous helpful comments. Thanks to Anne-Laure Le Velly and Juliette Fauchot for english corrections. We should also especially like to thank Alain Aminot for his support and guidance over the past years.

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  1. DYNECO Pelagos, IFREMER, B.P. 70, 29280, Plouzane, France

    F. Andrieux-Loyer, X. Philippon, G. Bally, R. Kérouel, A. Youenou & J. Le Grand

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  1. F. Andrieux-Loyer
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  2. X. Philippon
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Correspondence to F. Andrieux-Loyer.

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Andrieux-Loyer, F., Philippon, X., Bally, G. et al. Phosphorus dynamics and bioavailability in sediments of the Penzé Estuary (NW France): in relation to annual P-fluxes and occurrences of Alexandrium Minutum . Biogeochemistry 88, 213–231 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9199-2

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