Abstract
Results are presented for a suite of surveys investigating the distribution of phytoplankton and nutrient salts in the northeast Irish Sea during 1996. The ratio of one nutrient salt to another was calculated and it was noted that winter N:P ratios were greatest in less saline inshore waters. Elevated levels of both N and P were observed to be associated with regions of industrial and riverine inputs. Phytoplankton community data is linked to environmental variables via a multivariate statistical analysis. Results of this analysis suggest that winter TON and silicate concentrations may best explain variations in the spring phytoplankton community structure. A bloom of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii was recorded in waters in the north of the study area and which appears to be associated with nutrient poor waters.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, J. R., E. G. Jones, T. M. Shammon, K. R. Nicholas, S. Hawkins R. G. Hartnoll, 1996. The distribution of nutrients and phytoplankton in the north-east Irish Sea. Report to the National Rivers Authority (NW region). Port Erin Marine Laboratory, University of Liverpool.
Boalch, G. T. 1987. Recent Blooms in the Western English Channel. Rapp.P.V. Réun. Const. Int. Explor. Mer. 187: 94–97.
Bodeanu, N., M. Userelu, 1979. Dinofiagellate blooms in Romanian Black Sea coastal waters. In D. J. Taylor, H. H. Seliger (eds), Toxic Dinofiagellate Blooms Elsevier, Amsterdam: 151–154.
Capriulo, G. M., R. Troy, M. Morles, K. Beddows, H. Budrock, G. Wickfors C.Y. Arish, 1993. Possible eutrophication-related enhancement of the microbial loop in Long Island Sound and Consequences for Shellfish. J. Shellfish Res. 12: 107.
Conley, D. J., T. C. Malone, 1993. Annual cycle of dissolved silicate in Chesapeake Bay: Implications for the production and fate of phytoplankton biomass. Mar. Ecol. Prog Ser. 81: 121–128.
Dickson, R. R., R. G. V. Boelens, 1988. The status of current knowledge on anthropogenic influences in the Irish Sea. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, co-operative Research Report No. 155.
Ewins, P. A. C. P. Spencer, 1967. The annual cycle of nutrients in the Menai Straits. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 47: 533–542.
Fogg, G. E., B. Egan, G. D. Floodgate, D. A. Jones, J. Y. Kassabs, K. Lockler, E. I. S. Rees, S. Scrope-Howes C. M. Turley, 1985. Biological studies in the vicinity of the shallow sea mixing front VII. The frontal ecosystems. Phil.Trans. R.Soc.Lond. B, 310: 555–571.
Grasshoff, K., 1976. Methods for Seawater Analysis. Verlag. Chemie, Wienham, New York.
Hallegraef, G. M., 1995. Harmful Algal Blooms: A Global Overview. In G. M. Hallegraeff, D. M. Anderson, A. D. Cembella, (eds). Manual on Harmful Marine Microalgae. IOC Manuals, Guides No.33 UNESCO ( 1–22 ).
HMSO, 1980. Methods for the examination of waters and associated materials. The determination of chlorophyll in aquatic environments. HMSO. London.
Irish Sea Study Group, 1990. The Irish Sea Study Group Report. Part Two., Waste Inputs and Pollution. Liverpool University Press. Liverpool, 165 pp.
Jones, P. G. W., S. M. Haq, 1963. The distribution of Phaeocystis in the eastern Irish Sea. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 28: 8–20.
Jones, P. G. W., A. R. Folkard, 1970. Hydrographie observations in the eastern Irish Sea with particular reference to the distribution of nutrient salts. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 51: 159–182.
Justic, D., N. N. Rablais, R. E. Turner, 1995. Stoichiometric nutrient balance and origin of coastal eutrophication. Mar. Poll. Bull. 30: 41–46.
Kayser, H., 1970. Experimental-ecological investigations on Phaeocystis pouchetii (Haptophyceae): cultivation, waste water test. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 20: 195–212.
Kennington, K., J. R. Allen, T. M. Shammon, R. G. Hartnoll, A. Wither, P. Jones, 1997. The distribution of phytoplankton and nutrients in the north-east Irish Sea during 1996. Report for the U.K Environment Agency. R D Technical Report E30, 156 pp.
Lancelot, C., G. Billen, A. Sournia, T. Weisse, F. Colijn, M. Veldhuis, A. Davies, P. Wassman, 1987. Phaeocystis blooms and nutrient enrichment in the continental zones of the North Sea. Ambio. 16: 38–46.
Rousseau, V., D. Vaulot, R. Casotti, V. Cariou, J. Lenz, J. Gunkel, M. Baumannn, 1994. The life cycle of Phaeocystis (Prymnesiophyceae): evidence, hypotheses. J. Mar. Syst. 5: 23–39.
Ryther, J. H., W. M. Dustan, 1971. Nitrogen, phosphorous and eutrophication in the coastal marine environment Science, 171: 1008–1013.
Simpson, J. H., C. M. Allen, N. C., G. Morris, 1978. Fronts on the continental shelf. J. Geophys. Res. 83: 4607–4614.
Smith, W. O., L. A. Codispoti, D. M. Nelson, T. Manley, E. J. Buskey, H. J. Niebauer, G. F. Cota, 1991. Importance of Phaeocystis blooms in the high latitude ocean carbon cycle. Nature. 352: 514–516.
Slinn D. J., J. F. Easham, 1984 Routine hydrographie observations in the Irish Sea off Port Erin, Isle of Man, during 1972–1981 inclusive. Annales Biologiques 38: 42–44.
Thingstad, F., G. Billen, 1994. Microbial degradation of Phaeo- cystis material in the water column. J. Mar. Syst. 5: 55–65.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Kennington, K., Allen, J.R., Wither, A., Shammon, T.M., Hartnoll, R.G. (1999). Phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the north-east Irish Sea. In: Blomqvist, E.M., Bonsdorff, E., Essink, K. (eds) Biological, Physical and Geochemical Features of Enclosed and Semi-enclosed Marine Systems. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 135. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0912-5_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0912-5_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5250-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-0912-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive