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Characterizing estuarine plume discharge into the coastal ocean using fatty acid biomarkers and pigment analysis
Citation
Fischer, AM and Ryan, JP and Levesque, C and Welschmeyer, N, Characterizing estuarine plume discharge into the coastal ocean using fatty acid biomarkers and pigment analysis, Marine Environmental Research, 99 pp. 106-116. ISSN 0141-1136 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.04.006
Abstract
The transformation of estuaries by human activities continues to alter the biogeochemical balance of the
coastal ocean. The disruption of this balance can negatively impact the provision of goods and services,
including fisheries, commerce and transportation, recreation and esthetic enjoyment. Here we examine a
link, between the Elkhorn Slough and the coastal ocean in Monterey Bay, California (USA) using a novel
application of fatty acid and pigment analysis. Fatty acid analysis of filtered water samples showed
biologically distinct water types between the Elkhorn Slough plume and the receiving waters of the
coastal ocean. A remarkable feature of the biological content of the plume entering the coastal ocean was
the abundance of bacteria-specific fatty acids, which correlated well with concentrations of colored
dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Pigment analysis showed that plume waters contained higher concentrations
of diatoms and cryptophytes, while the coastal ocean waters showed higher relative concentrations
of dinoflagellates. Bacteria and cryptophytes can provide a source of labile, energy-rich
organic matter that may be locally important as a source of food for pelagic and benthic communities.
Surface and depth surveys of the plume show that the biogeochemical constituents of the slough waters
are injected into the coastal waters and become entrained in the northward flowing, nearshore current of
Monterey Bay. Transport of these materials to the northern portion of the bay can fuel a bloom incubator,
which exists in this region. This study shows that fatty acid markers can reveal the biogeochemical interactions
between estuaries and the coastal ocean and highlights how man-made changes have the
potential to influence coastal ecological change.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | fatty acid markers, pigment analysis, estuaries, coastal zone, bacteria, phytoplankton, ecosystem change |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Biological oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Fischer, AM (Dr Andy Fischer) |
ID Code: | 94602 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 19 |
Deposited By: | NC Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability |
Deposited On: | 2014-09-12 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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