Biogeosciences Discussions
www.biogeosciences-discuss.net
1810-6277
1810-6285
5
3
2008
10.5194/bgd-5-1899-2008
http://www.biogeosciences-discuss.net/5/1899/2008/
http://www.biogeosciences-discuss.net/5/1899/2008/bgd-5-1899-2008.html
http://www.biogeosciences-discuss.net/5/1899/2008/bgd-5-1899-2008.pdf
1899
1932
2008-05-08
Short-term temporal variations of heterotrophic bacterial abundance and production in the open NW Mediterranean Sea
G. Mével
mevel@sb-roscoff.fr
M. Vernet
J. F. Ghiglione
CNRS, UMR 7144, Equipe de Chimie Marine, Station Biologique de Roscoff, 29682 Roscoff, France
UPMC, Univ. Paris 06, UMR 7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, 29682 Roscoff, France
UBO, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, 29280 Plouzané, France
CNRS, UMR 7621, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Biologique de Banyuls, Avenue Fontaulé, BP44, 66650 Banyuls sur mer, France
UPMC, Univ. Paris 06, UMR 7621, Laboratoire ARAGO, Avenue Fontaulé, BP 44, 66650 Banyuls sur mer, France
We present the vertical and temporal dynamics of total vs. particle-attached
bacterial abundance and activity over a 5 week period under summer to autumn
transition in NW Mediterranean Sea. By comparison to previous investigations
in the same area but during different seasons, we found that total bacterial
biomass and production values were consistent with the hydrological
conditions of the summer-fall transition. At a weekly time scale, total
bacterial biomass and production in the euphotic layers was significantly
correlated with phytoplanktonic biomass. At an hourly time scale, total
bacterial biomass responded very rapidly to chlorophyll-<i>a</i> fluctuations,
suggesting a tight coupling between phytoplankton and bacteria for resource
partitioning during summer-autumn transition. In contrast, no influence of
diel changes on bacterial parameters was detected. Episodic events such as
coastal water intrusions had a significant positive effect on total
bacterial abundance and production, whereas we could not detect any
influence of short wind events whatever the magnitude. Finally, we show that
particle-attached bacteria can represent a large proportion (until 49%)
of the total bacterial activity in the euphotic layer but display rapid and
sporadic changes at hourly time scales. This study underlines the value of
large datasets covering different temporal scales to clarify the
biogeochemical role of bacteria in the cycling of organic matter in open
seawater.
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