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Short-term variability in primary productivity during a wind-driven diatom bloom in the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba)
Iluz, D.; Dishon, G.; Capuzzo, E.; Meeder, E.; Astoreca, R.; Montecino, V.; Znachor, P.; Ediger, D.; Marra, J. (2009). Short-term variability in primary productivity during a wind-driven diatom bloom in the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba). Aquat. Microb. Ecol. 56(2-3): 205-215. dx.doi.org/10.3354/ame01321
In: Aquatic Microbial Ecology. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0948-3055; e-ISSN 1616-1564
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 230180 [ download pdf ]
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Primary production; Wind speed; Upwelling; Phytoplankton; Diatom blooms;
Project Top | Authors 
  • BELCOLOUR-2 : Optical remote sensing of marine, coastal and inland waters
Authors  Top 
  • Iluz, D.
  • Dishon, G.
  • Capuzzo, E.
  • Meeder, E.
  • Astoreca, R.
  • Montecino, V.
  • Znachor, P.
  • Ediger, D.
  • Marra, J.
Abstract
    In the northern Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba), sharp increases in the biomass of diatoms and rates of primary production occurred in April 2008. Within 24 h, diatom abundance rose from 8 x 103 to 228 x 103 cells l-1, and photosynthetic rates concomitantly doubled from 15 to 35 µg C l-1 d-1. Water transparency declined, as indicated by the vertical diffusion attenuation coefficient K(d) for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), which increased from 0.076 to 0.090 m-1 and decreased the euphotic depth from 60 to 45 m. During this time, a significant increase in silica deposition by the diatoms was also detected. We attribute the mentioned changes in environmental characteristics to wind-generated surface currents. Strong winds (up to 10 m s-1) during the measurements enriched the surface layers with unusually high nutrient concentrations within <1 d. Hence, primary production rates were observed at a relatively eutrophic nearshore station (MP) and pelagic station (A1, 10 km towards the center of the Gulf). They were compared with rates measured on the subsequent day. Values measured were twice as high as those at the pelagic station during the previous calm day. Routine monitoring programs with monthly or semi-weekly sampling are thus likely to miss brief but significant injections of nutrients, leading to the underestimation of seasonal and annual primary production. Our results demonstrate the impacts of transient events on the function and annual yield of aquatic ecosystems.
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