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Thesis
SPATIAL PATTERNS OF PHYTOPLANKTON AND PERIPHYTON GROWTH AS INDICATORS OF ESTUARINE CONDITION IN ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2006
Abstract
Periphyton and phytoplankton responses along the salinity gradient and in depth profiles of Escambia Bay, FL, were compared over a sampling period covering two summer seasons. Periphyton accumulation ranged from 0 to 54 µg Chl a / dm2, and phytoplankton biomass ranged from 1.5 to 73 µg Chl a / L. Horizontal periphyton spatial patterns indicated distribution of bioavailable nutrients differently than phytoplankton. Maximum growth of periphytic and planktonic microalgae did not occur at the same location in the estuary. This dissimilarity in spatial distribution was directly related to hydrographic conditions. Periphyton appeared to be more limited by total Nitrogen in the water than phytoplankton which was more dependent on total and dissolved Phosphorous. Vertical profiles showed that water chemistry not light availability controlled microalgal distribution, with the highest biomass accumulating at the freshwater/seawater interface. River discharge accounted for the majority of spatial and temporal variability of physical and nutrient dynamics in Escambia Bay estuary, and affected the location of the estuarine turbidity maximum and the phytoplankton chlorophyll maximum. This study presents evidence that analyzing periphyton growth at fixed locations provides the means to examine integrated nutrient loading patterns unconstrained by hydrodynamics. The combination of periphyton response measures with conventional measurements of the water column created a different view of the overall ecosystem status of Escambia Bay.
Details
- Title
- SPATIAL PATTERNS OF PHYTOPLANKTON AND PERIPHYTON GROWTH AS INDICATORS OF ESTUARINE CONDITION IN ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090747906600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida