Effects of freshets on phytoplankton dynamics in a freshwater tidal estuary (Schelde, Belgium)

Muylaert, K.; Van Wichelen, J.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W.

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Effects of freshets on phytoplankton dynamics in a freshwater tidal estuary (Schelde, Belgium)

Muylaert, K.; Van Wichelen, J.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W. (2001). Effects of freshets on phytoplankton dynamics in a freshwater tidal estuary (Schelde, Belgium). Arch. Hydrobiol. 150(2): 269-288

In: Archiv für Hydrobiologie. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung: Stuttgart. ISSN 0003-9136

Available in	Authors
VLIZ: Open Marine Archive 238056 [ download pdf ]

Keywords

Algae > Diatoms
ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
Belgium
Belgium, Schelde R.
Characteristics > Productivity
Chemical compounds > Silicon compounds > Silica
Chemicals > Organic compounds > Organic nitrogen compounds > Heterocyclic nitrogen compounds > Porphyrins > Lipochromes > Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Community
Flushing
Netherlands
Production rate > Productivity
Productivity
River
Water
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone [Marine Regions]; Netherlands [Marine Regions]; Schelde [Marine Regions]; Westerschelde [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water; Fresh water

Author keywords

Zooplankton grazing; Silica limitation; Flushing events; Freshwater tidal estuary; Limitation

Authors		Top
Muylaert, K. Van Wichelen, J. Sabbe, K., more Vyverman, W.

Abstract

From August to October 1996, a station in the freshwater tidal reaches of the Schelde estuary was sampled every two days to study short-term changes in the phytoplankton community. The monitoring study started after a long period of low and constant discharge and our data suggest that at that time, phytoplankton productivity was bottom-up limited by silica and/or top-down controlled by grazers. Rainfall in the middle of August resulted in a flushing of almost half of the estuarine volume upstream of our monitoring station. This fresher ended the period of limitation by removing grazers as well as supplying new silica, while having no direct effect on total phytoplankton biomass. It was followed by a gradual increase in phytoplankton biomass. An extremely high runoff event caused by a storm at the end of August resulted in a flushing of the entire freshwater tidal reach. Phytoplankton biomass dropped and the estuarine phytoplankton community was replaced with one of riverine origin which was not adapted to the growth conditions prevailing within the estuary. Afterwards, autochthonous phytoplankton populations were not able to recover due to the presence of grazers and a general decrease in light levels and temperature. Our results illustrate how freshets may influence phytoplankton dynamics directly through longitudinal transport of phytoplankton populations and indirectly by influencing nutrient levels and grazer populations.

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