Acronym ECOALFACS
Category
Aquaculture
Title Ecological mechanisms controlling (harmful) phytoplankton blooms in Alfacs bay (Ebro Delta) Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator E. Berdalet Coordinator email berdalet@icm.csic.es
Coordinator institution
CSIC-ICM - Spanish National Research Council; Institut de Ciències del Mar (Spain)
Institutions involved
NA - Not available (Not available) ,
Start year 2010 End year 2013 Funding (€) € 147,620 Website NA Summary The proliferations of certain microalgae, known as "Harmful Algal Blooms" (HABs), cause world-wide problems with significant ecologic, economic, social and human health consequences and constraint the sustainable development of marine resources. In this project, we aim to provide integrated knowledge on key biological, chemical and physical conditions that favour the proliferation of harmful phytoplankton species in an aquaculture site, the Alfacs Bay of the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean). Specifically, we aim to investigate: (1) the potential role of dissolved nutrients and mixotrophy; (2) the variability of the in situ growth rates of key (harmful) phytoplankton species; (3) the impact of protozoan micrograzers on the phytoplankton community and specifically on harmful species; (4) the significance of the preferential vertical location of some (harmful) phytoplankton species linked to their migratory behaviour; (5) the role of the circulation patterns in the retention time of the phytoplankton biomass. The obtained data will be assimilated into NPZD and numerical-physical models, to test hypotheses concerning biological and physico-chemical mechanisms involved in HAB development.
Our general objective consists in developing an understanding of how physico-chemical and biological processes interact to promote bloom development, maintenance and demise in Alfacs Bay (Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean). This understanding will improve the scientific basis for developing effective strategies of management and prevention of such events in this and other similar areas. In particular our goals are: (1) To study the potential role of dissolved nutrients (including the possible supply through submarine groundwater discharges) and mixotrophy on the selective proliferation of certain phytoplankton assemblages and/or harmful species. This objective will be accomplished through the characterization of the phytoplankton assemblages, determinations of the concentration of major inorganic (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, silicate) and organic (dissolved organic phosphorus and nitrogen) nutrient forms at representative locations within the Bay, estimation of the degree of nutrient enrichment associated to the freshwater discharges, tests of inorganic phosphorus limitation of the microplanktonic community and exploration of the mixotrophic capacity of particular phytoplankton species; (2) To estimate in situ growth rates of key (harmful) phytoplankton species along different phases (initiation, maintenance and decay) of blooms. In situ measurements will be performed during bloom events; (3) To estimate the impact of protozoan micrograzers on the phytoplankton community and specifically on harmful species. In situ measurements will be performed during bloom events; (4) To understand the significance of preferential vertical location of some (harmful) phytoplankton species linked to their migratory behaviour. In situ measurements will be performed during bloom events and additional tests will be performed in the laboratory; (5) To evaluate the role of the circulation patterns in the retention time of the phytoplankton biomass. We will calibrate an SI3D model of estuarine circulation in Alfacs Bay, by combining the continuous record of meteorological and physical data (obtained from two current Doppler profilers, thermistors and conductimeters chains), CTD profiles and some estimations of underground water supplies; (6) To test hypotheses concerning the effects of interactions between ecophysiological parameters and water circulation patterns on phytoplankton dynamics in the Bay, including HAB development. An NP1P2ZD model will be implemented, and along with the SI3D estuarine model will be used to test whether the physiological, chemical and biological parameters obtained in the previous objectives are compatible with the scenarios outlined by our previous studies.
Keywords
Open sea aquaculture;
Algae;
Biology;
Marine Region
53
Northern Spain (GSA 6)
1
Marine Region Map
