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Rapid acclimation of microbes to changing substrate pools in epipelagic waters of an Antarctic polynya during austral summer 2003

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Abstract

Antarctic polynyas are among the most productive areas in the ocean. They are subjected to strong temporal variations, having profound effects on the local ecosystems. We tested the changes occurring in several biogeochemical features [Chlorophyll a (Chl a), phaeopigment, dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC) concentrations] as well as in biological dynamics (prokaryotic and nanoplanktonic abundance, heterotrophic carbon production and degradative activities) at the transition between late spring and summer in surface waters (upper 125 m) in the Terra Nova Bay polynya, in the Ross Sea. Samplings were performed from January 18 to 21 and, after an interval of almost 5 days, from January 25 to 27. The first period was characterised by spring conditions still maintained by the presence in the area of two mega-icebergs (B15 and C19), which caused a delay in the ice melting that started during the second survey. Chlorophyll a concentrations were highest during the first period, whereas phaeopigments/Chl a ratio increased during the following sampling time suggesting variations in phytoplankton biomass/physiology and a change in organic matter (OM) quality. No significant differences in DOC and POC concentration were detected between the two periods together with unvaried abundances of prokaryotes and small protists. The changes in OM over time were evidenced also by changing exoenzymatic activity patterns. Notwithstanding the general variations occurring during the surveys, heterotrophic production and prokaryotic growth were not substantially modified, suggesting a rapid (timescales of days) acclimation to changing organic matter quality for the maintenance of prokaryotic metabolic requirements.

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Acknowledgements

This study was carried out as part of the Italian National Program for Research in Antarctica (PNRA, CLIMA Project). The help of the crew on the R.V. Italica and ENEA personnel is kindly acknowledged. We are grateful to E. Crevatin for nanoplankton data and to C. Manno for POC data. A. Bergamasco helped us with the description of thermohaline properties. The constructive comments of the editor (D. Piepenburg) and of three anonymous reviewers helped improve the overall merit of the manuscript.

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    1. Oceanography Division, OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale), via A. Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy

      Paola Del Negro, Mauro Celussi & Cinzia De Vittor

    2. Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy

      Serena Fonda Umani

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    1. Paola Del Negro
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    2. Mauro Celussi
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    3. Cinzia De Vittor
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    Correspondence to Mauro Celussi.

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    Paola Del Negro and Mauro Celussi have contributed equally to this work.

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    Del Negro, P., Celussi, M., De Vittor, C. et al. Rapid acclimation of microbes to changing substrate pools in epipelagic waters of an Antarctic polynya during austral summer 2003. Polar Biol 41, 1–10 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2165-5

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