Abstract
In two experiments lasting 4 to 6 weeks, communities of North Sea coastal plankton kept in separate plastic bags (of about 1400 l) and exposed to the same environmental conditions showed very similar patterns of growth and decline. This result means that the method is suitable for the evaluation of toxic effects of environmental pollutants at low concentrations on complex plankton systems. The phytoplankton in the bags produced a succession of blooms, which were probably limited by shortage of nutrients. The dominant zooplankton organisms were various species of copepods which can develop in the bags from egg to adult. Strong indications were found that mineralization of organic matter occurs in the bags. Chemical parameters and phytoplankton biomass were found not to be stratified, indicating that the contents of the bags were well mixed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Antia, N.J., G.D. McAllister, T.R. Parsons, K. Stephens and J.D.H. Strickland: Further measurements on primary production using a large volume plastic sphere. Limnol. Oceanogr. 8, 166–184 (1963)
Bennekom, A.J. van, W.W.C. Gieskes and S.B. Tijssen: Eutrophication of Dutch coastal waters. Proc. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 189, 359–374 (1975)
Brockmann, U.H., K. Eberlein, H.D. Junge, M. Trageser und K.J. Trahms: Einfache Folientanks zur Planktonuntersuchung in situ. Mar. Biol. 24, 163–166 (1974)
Davies, J.M., J.C. Gamble and J.H. Steele: Preliminary studies with a large plastic enclosure. In: Estuarine research, Vol. I. pp 251–264. Ed. by L.E. Cronin. New York: Academic Press 1975
Davis, C.O., P.J. Harrison and R.C. Dugdale: Contiuous cultures of marine diatoms under silicate limitation. I. Synchronized life cycle of Skeletonema costatum. J. Phycol. 9, 175–180 (1973)
Derenbach, J.B. and P.J. Le B. Williams: Autotrophic and bacterial production: fractionation of plankton populations by differential filtration of samples from the English Channel. Mar. Biol. 25, 263–269 (1974)
Eppley, R.W., J.N. Rogers and J.J. McCarthy: Half-saturation constants for uptake of nitrate and ammonium by marine phytoplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 912–920 (1969)
— and W.H. Thomas: Comparison of half-saturation constants for growth and nitrate uptake of marine phytoplankton. J. Phycol. 5, 375–379 (1969)
Fransz, H.G.: The spring development of calanoid copepod populations in the Dutch coastal waters as related to primary production. Proc. Eur. mar. biol. Symp. 10, 247–269 (1976)
Goldberg, E.D., T.J. Walker and H. Whisensand: Phosphate utilization by diatoms. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 101, 274–284 (1951)
Goldman, C.R.: A method of studying nutrient limiting factors in situ in water columns isolated by polyethylene film. Limnol. Oceanogr. 7, 99–101 (1962)
Holm-Hansen, O.: Determination of microbial biomass in ocean profiles. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 740–747 (1969)
Horstmann, U.: Über den Einfluß von häuslichem Abwasser auf das plankton in der Kieler Bucht. Kieler Meeresforsch. 28, 178–198 (1972)
Jassby, A.D.: An evaluation of ATP estimations of bacterial biomass in the presence of phytoplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 20, 646–648 (1975)
Kersting, K.: The use of microsystems for the evaluation of the effect of toxicants. Hydrobiol. Bull. (Amsterdam) 9, 102–108 (1975)
Lacaze, J.C.: Ecotoxicology of crude oils and the use of experimental marine ecosystems. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 5, 153–156 (1974)
Lund, J.W.G., C. Kipling and E.D. Le Cren: The inverted microscope method of estimating algal numbers and the statistical basis of estimations by counting. Hydrobiologia 11, 143–170 (1958)
MacIsaac, J.J. and R.C. Dugdale: The kinetics of nitrate and ammonia uptake by natural populations of marine phytoplankton. Deep-Sea Res. 16, 45–57 (1969)
Marshall, S.M. and A.P. Orr: The biology of a marine copepod, 195 pp. (Edinburgh, London: Oliver & Boyd). Reprinted by Springer Verlag, Berlin: 1972
Odam, E.P.: Fundamentals of ecology, 574 pp. Philadelphia: Saunders 1971
Paasche, E.: Silicon and the ecology of marine plankton diatoms. II. Silicate-uptake kinetics in five diatom species. Mar. Biol. 19, 262–269 (1973)
Parsons, T.R.: Controlled ecosystem pollution experiment (CEPEX). Envir. Conserv. 1, p. 224 (1974)
— and M. Takahashi: Biological oceanographic processes, 186 pp. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1973
Pođamo, J.: Essai de bilan annuel du transfer de l'azote dans le bassin de chasse d'Ostende. I. Utilisation de l'azote par le phytoplancton dans le cycle d'azote. Hydrobiol. Bull. (Amsterdam) 8, 46–52 (1974a)
—: Essai de bilan annuel du transfer de l'azote dans le bassin de chasse d'Ostende. rôle du zooplancton dans le cycle d'azote. Hydrobiol. Bull. (Amsterdam) 8, 53–66 (1974b)
Ringelberg, J.: Parameter dependant (temperature) tolerance levels and the influence of the complexity of the biological system. Hydrobiol. Bull. (Amsterdam) 7, 106–114 (1973)
Schelske, C.L. and E.F. Stoermer: Eutrophication, silica depletion and predicted changes in algal quality in Lake Michigan. Science, N.Y. 173 (3995), 423–424 (1971)
——: Phosphorus, silica and eutrophication of Lake Michigan. Spec. Symp. Am. Soc. Limnol. Oceanogr. 1, 157–170 (1972)
Sheldon, R.W. and T.R. Parsons: A practical manual on the use of the Coulter Counter in marine science, 66 pp. Toronto: Coulter Electronics Sales Co. 1967
Strickland, J.D.H. and T.R. Parsons: A practical handbook of sea water analysis. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 167, 1–311 (1968)
— and L.D.B. Terhune: The study of in situ marine photosynthesis using a large plastic bag. Limnol. Oceanogr. 6, 93–96 (1961)
Takahashi, M., W.H. Thomas, D.L.R. Seibert, J. Beers, P. Koeller and T.R. Parsons: The replication of biological events in enclosed water columns. Arch. Hydrobiol. 76, 5–23 (1975)
Thomas, W.H. and A.N. Dkđson: Effects of phosphate concentration on cell division rates and yield of a tropical oceanic diatom. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 134, 199–208 (1968)
Ütermöhl, H.: Zur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen Phytoplankton Methodik. Mitt. int. Verein. theor. angew. Limnol. 9, 1–38 (1958)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
Work carried out under Contract No. 110-75-1 ENVN of the E.C. Environmental Research Programme.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kuiper, J. Development of north sea coastal plankton communities in separate plastic bags under identical conditions. Mar. Biol. 44, 97–107 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386950
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386950