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Nutrient limitation of heterotrophic bacteria in Florida Bay

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Abstract

We examined heterotrophic bacterial nutrient limitation at four sites in Florida Bay, U. S. in summer 1994 and winter 1995. Bacterial growth and biomass production in this system were most limited by inorganic phosphorus (P) in the eastern and southern regions of the bay. Nutrient additions stimulated productivity and biomass accumulation mostly in summer. The magnitude of growth responses (thymidine incorporation) to nutrient additions was nearly an order of magnitude less in winter than summer. Biomass-normalized alkaline phosphatase activity in the northeast and south-central region was 5–20 times greater than in the northwest and north-central regions, suggesting that P is most limiting to planktonic growth in those areas. Chlorophyll levels were higher in the northwest and north-central regions and P-uptake into particles >1 μm, primarily phytoplankton, was also higher in these regions. Consistent with these observations, others have observed that P is advected into the bay primarily in the northwestern region. Abundant seagrasses in Florida Bay may promote heterotrophic bacterial production relative to phytoplankton production by releasing dissolved organic carbon that makes bacteria more competitive for limiting quantities of inorganic phosphate, especially in the eastern bay where turbidity is low, P is most limiting, and light levels reaching the benthic plants are high.

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  1. James B. Cotner

    Present address: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, Minnesota

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, 77843-2258, College Station, Texas

    James B. Cotner & Rosa H. Sada

  2. Great Lakes Water Institute, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 53204, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Harvey Bootsma

  3. Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research, University of Michigan, 2200 Bomsteel Boulevard, 48109, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Thomas Johengen

  4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, 2205 Commonwealth Blvd, 48105, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Joann F. Cavaletto

  5. Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, 750 Channelview Drive, 78373-1267, Port Aransas, Texas

    Wayne S. Gardner

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  1. James B. Cotner
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  2. Rosa H. Sada
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Correspondence to James B. Cotner.

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Cotner, J.B., Sada, R.H., Bootsma, H. et al. Nutrient limitation of heterotrophic bacteria in Florida Bay. Estuaries 23, 611–620 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2307/1352888

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