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Physical-Biological Coupling in Southern Lake Michigan: Influence of Episodic Sediment Resuspension on Phytoplankton

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Abstract

The influence of episodic, sediment resuspension on phytoplankton abundance/volume and composition, the photosynthetic maximum rate (PB max) and efficiency (αB), and chlorophyll-specific growth (μChl) was evaluated during the spring isothermal period in southern Lake Michigan (Laurentian Great Lakes, USA). Resuspension altered the nutrient and light climate of nearshore waters; light attenuation (Kd) and phosphorus concentrations corresponded (p ≤ 0.0001 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively) with concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Phytoplankton cell volume and diatom cell abundance and volume were not associated with SPM concentrations (p > 0.05). Diatom composition displayed spatial dissimilarities corresponding with resuspension (p ≤ 0.001); small centric diatoms exhibiting meroplanktonic life histories and pennate diatoms considered benthic in origin were most abundant within SPM-impacted, nearshore waters whereas taxa typically comprising assemblages in optically-clear, offshore waters and the basin-wide, spring bloom were not. Values of PB max and αB corresponded (p ≤ 0.0001) with both Kd coefficients and SPM concentrations, potentially reflecting increased light harvesting/utilization within impacted assemblages. However, integral production was inversely associated with Kd coefficients and SPM concentrations (p < 0.0001) and photosynthesis was light-limited (or nearly so) for most assemblages. Although μChl values corresponded with Kd coefficients (p ≤ 0.05), values were quite low (x ± S.E., 0.10 ± 0.004 d-1) throughout the study. Most likely, distinct rate processes between SPM- and non-impacted assemblages reflected short-term compositional (and corresponding physiological) variations due to infusion of meroplankton and/or tributary-derived phytoplankton. Overall, resuspension appears to have little, if any, long-term impact upon the structure and function of the lake’s phytoplankton.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Institute of Oceanography, University of South Florida, 830 First Street, S., Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA

    David F. Millie

  2. Lake Michigan Field Station, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1431 Beach Street, Muskegon, Michigan, 49441, USA

    Gary L. Fahnenstiel

  3. Department of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, 39529, USA

    Steven E. Lohrenz

  4. School of Forest Resources- Fisheries and Wildlife, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA

    Hunter J. Carrick

  5. Cooperative Institute of Limnology and Ecosystems Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA

    Thomas H. Johengen

  6. Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, 71 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Oscar M.E. Schofield

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  1. David F. Millie
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  2. Gary L. Fahnenstiel
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  3. Steven E. Lohrenz
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  4. Hunter J. Carrick
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  6. Oscar M.E. Schofield
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Correspondence to David F. Millie.

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Millie, D.F., Fahnenstiel, G.L., Lohrenz, S.E. et al. Physical-Biological Coupling in Southern Lake Michigan: Influence of Episodic Sediment Resuspension on Phytoplankton. Aquatic Ecology 37, 393–408 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AECO.0000007046.48955.70

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