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Recurrent and changing seasonal patterns in phytoplankton of the westernmost inlet of the Dutch Wadden Sea from 1969 to 1985

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Abstract

Data for phytoplankton composition and abundance in the Marsdiep are presented for the period from 1969 to 1985 inclusive. Only a few species dominated the phytoplankton. A recurrent pattern was observed in the seasonal succession: in winter, total cell numbers were invariably low, but freshwater algae, sluiced into the Wadden Sea from IJssel Lake, showed highest densities in winter. A diatom spring peak was observed around mid-April, followed by a Phaeocystis pouchetii peak about three weeks later. Later in summer usually two more diatom peaks followed by non-diatom peaks were present. The exact timing of the spring peak varied from year to year, with the extremes being late March and early May. A relatively late spring peak usually coincided with a relatively high turbidity in the preceding winter. An increase in total cell numbers was found over the 17-year observation period. Diatoms decreased from 1969 to 1974 but have increased since then, reaching values above those of 1969 during recent years. Flagellates showed a consistent increase over the entire observation period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute of Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790, AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands

    G. C. Cadée

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  1. G. C. Cadée
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Cadée, G.C. Recurrent and changing seasonal patterns in phytoplankton of the westernmost inlet of the Dutch Wadden Sea from 1969 to 1985. Mar. Biol. 93, 281–289 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00508265

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