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Changes in the Abundance and Species Composition of Phytoplankton in the Last 150 Years in the Southern Black Sea

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Abstract

Changes in total abundance and in species composition of phytoplankton in the last 150 years in the southern Black Sea were investigated through a paleoecological study of two sediment cores. The results show changes in the species composition and a marked increase in total abundance of siliceous protists after around 1960. In core 22 (42°13.534′ N/36°29.555′ E), the dominating species before 1960 were Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana and Thalassiosira oestrupii. In core 25 (42°6.212′ N/36°37.460′ E), the dominating species before 1960 were T. oestrupii, Cyclotella meneghiniana, C. choctawhatcheeana, and Pseudosolenia cf. calcar-avis. Core 22 was located in closer proximity to the rim current than core 25, and the differences in total abundance between the cores could be related to differences in local nutrient loading prior to 1960. After around 1960, both cores changed to a community dominated by C. choctawhatcheeana. The changes in total abundance and species composition after around 1960 could be related to the increased nutrient loading from the Danube River into the rim current after the late 1960s. The results also showed changes in both total abundance and in species composition of dinoflagellate cysts. The dominating dinoflagellate cysts recorded were Lingulodinium polyedrum, Polykrikos schwartzii, and Spiniferites spp.

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Acknowledgments

We want to thank Helge Arz, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), for providing the sediment cores. In addition, Kaarina Weckström, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, introduced the method used for cleaning the siliceous protists samples and Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen, commented on and proof-read the manuscript. Anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript.

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  1. Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Erik Askov Mousing

  2. Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marianne Ellegaard

  3. Department of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Thorbjørn Joest Andersen

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  1. Erik Askov Mousing
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Mousing, E.A., Andersen, T.J. & Ellegaard, M. Changes in the Abundance and Species Composition of Phytoplankton in the Last 150 Years in the Southern Black Sea. Estuaries and Coasts 36, 1206–1218 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-013-9623-2

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