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Effects of episodic turbulence on diatom mortality and physiology, with a protocol for the use of Evans Blue stain for live–dead determinations

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Abstract

Short-lived, high-intensity turbulence in aquatic environments—or episodic turbulence—has been shown to cause mortality in zooplankton, but its effects on marine phytoplankton have rarely been investigated. Episodic turbulence derives from anthropogenic and natural causes such as boat propellers, strong winds, and breaking waves. This study focused on the effects of episodic turbulence on two diatoms: Thalassiosira weissflogii and Skeletonema costatum. 45 s exposure to turbulence intensities above 2.5 cm2 s−3 reduced diatom abundance by up to 32% and increased the number of intact dead cells by 22%. After exposure to 4.0 cm2 s−3, photosynthetic efficiency decreased by 25 and 9% in T. weissflogii and S. costatum, respectively. Turbulence also caused extracellular release of optically reactive DOM and biologically important trace metals such as iron. The turbulence levels tested are comparable to those under breaking surface waves and are substantially lower than those generated by boat propellers. An improved technique using the Evans Blue stain was developed to enable visual live/dead plankton cell determinations. When used in conjunction with preservation and flow cytometry, this staining method provides a way to study phytoplankton mortality due to turbulence and other environmental stresses.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the following individuals for lending their equipment and expertise: Dr. C.T. Friedrichs, Dr. G.M. Cartwright, Dr. W.O. Smith, Jr., and Dr. A.J. Beck, and the following for their input and support: S. Bickel, Y. Dong, J. Ivory, and S. Peng. This paper is Contribution No. 3371 of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary.

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  1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, P.O. Box 1346, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA

    Haley S. Garrison & Kam W. Tang

  2. Department of Biosciences and Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR), Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    Kam W. Tang

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  1. Haley S. Garrison
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Correspondence to Haley S. Garrison.

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10750_2014_1927_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Online Resource—Supplementary Figure: Live and dead Thalassiosira weissflogii cells treated with EB, rinsed, and viewed on a Sedgewick-Rafter counting cell (DOCX 1098 kb)

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Garrison, H.S., Tang, K.W. Effects of episodic turbulence on diatom mortality and physiology, with a protocol for the use of Evans Blue stain for live–dead determinations. Hydrobiologia 738, 155–170 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1927-0

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