Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication and ANaerobic Processes (C.L.E.AN.): Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycles and Population Dynamics in Coastal Lagoons A Research Programme of the Environment Programme of the EC (DG XII)

239 Pages·1996·8.6 MB·English

by  Susana Benlloch

Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication and ANaerobic Processes
(C.L.E.AN.)
Developments in Hydrobiology 117
Series editor
H. J. Dumont
Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication
and
ANaerobic Processes (C.L.E.AN.)
Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycles and Population Dynamics
in Coastal Lagoons
A Research Programme of the Environment Programme of the EC (DG XII)
Edited by
Pierre Caumette, Jacques Castel and Rodney Herbert
Reprinted from Hydrobiologia, vol. 329 (1996)
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Dordrecht / Boston / London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Coastal lagoon eutrophication and anaerobic processes: nitrogen and
sulfur cycles and population dynamics in coastal lagoons I edited by
Pierre Caumette. Jacques Castel. and Rodney Herbert.
p. cm. -- <Developments in hydrobiology ; v. 117)
ISBN .0-7923-4165-1
1. Marine eutrophication. 2. Lagoon ecology. 3. Nitrogen cycle.
4. Sulphur cycle. 5. Anaerobic bacteria. 6. Population biology.
I. Caumette. Pierre. 1951- II. Castel. Jacques. III. Herbert.
R. A. IV. Series: Developments in hydrobiology ; 117.
OH91.8.E87C63 1996
574.5'2636--dc20 96-28457
ISBN-13: 978-94-010-7279-3 e-ISBN-13: 978-94-009-1744-6
DOl: 10.1007/978-94-009-1744-6
Published by Kluwer Academic Publishers,
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v
Contents
Preface ............................................................................ vii
Participating laboratories ............................................................ viii
Introductory chapter: Eutrophication gradients in coastal lagoons as exemplified by the Bassin
d' Arcachon and the Etang du Prevost
by J. Castel, P. Caumette & R. Herbert .......................................... ix-xxviii
PART I: EUTROPHICATION EFFECTS ON POPULATION DYNAMICS,
BIODIVERSITY AND TROPHIC RELATIONSHIPS IN COASTAL LAGOONS
Heterotrophic bacterial, activity and bacterial diversity in two coastal lagoons as detected by
culture and 16S rRNA genes PCR amplification and partial sequencing
by S. Benlloch, F. Rodriguez-Valera, S.G. Acinas & AJ. Martinez-Murcia ......... . 3-17
Description of prokaryotic biodiversity along the salinity gradient of a multipond solar saltern
by direct PCR amplification of 16S rONA
by S. Benlloch, S.G. Acinas, AJ. Martinez-Murcia & F. Rodriguez-Valera ......... . 19-31
Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in eutrophic coastal lagoons of the French Mediterranean
and Atlantic Coasts (Prevost Lagoon, Arcachon Bay, Certes Fishponds)
by R. Guyoneaud, R. Matheron, R. Baulaigue, K. Poduer, A. Hirschler & P. Caumette 33-43
Zooplankton variability related to environmental changes in eutrophic coastal lagoon in the
Po Delta
by S. Sei, G. Rossetti, F. Villa & I. Ferrari ...................................... . 45-55
A field experiment on the effect of two types of sediment disturbance on the rate of recovery
of a meiobenthic community in a eutrophicated lagoon
by M.A. Colangelo, T. Macri & V.U. Ceccherelli ................................. . 57-68
Diel and seasonal vertical distribution of meiobenthic copepods in muddy sediments of a
eutrophic lagoon (fish ponds of Arcachon Bay)
by E. Buffan-Duban & J. Castel ............................................... . 69-78
The role of phototrophic sulfur bacteria as food for meiobenthic harpacticoid copepods inhab
iting eutrophic coastal lagoons
by L.P. Souza-Santos, J. Castel & PJ.P. Santos ......... , ........................ . 79-89
vi
PART II: EUTROPHICATION EFFECTS ON BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF NITROGEN
AND SULFUR IN COASTAL LAGOONS
Growth of the seaweed Ulva rigida C. Agardh in relation to biomass densities, internal nutrient
pools and external nutrient supply in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Northern Italy)
by P. Viaroli, M. Naldi, C. Bondavalli & S. Bencivelli ... . . . .. . .. ..... ..... .. .. ... . 93-103
Macrophyte communities and their impact of benthic fluxes of oxygen, sulphide and nutrients
in shallow eutrophic environments
by P. Viaroli, M. Bartoli, C. Bondavalli, RR Christian, G. Giordani & M. Naldi .. ... 105-119
Differential anaerobic decomposition of seagrass (Zostera noltii) and (Monostroma obscurum)
biomass from Arcachon Bay (France)
by S. Bourgues, 1. Auby, R de Wit & PJ. Labourg ................................ 121-131
Nitrification, denitrification, and nitrate ammonification in sediments of two coastal lagoons
in Southern France
by S. Rysgaard, N. Risgaard-Petersen & N.P. Sloth .......... , ... ..... ... . . ... .... 133-141
Benthic oxygen respiration, ammonium and phosphorus regeneration in surficial sediments
of the Sacca di Goro (Northern Italy) and two French coastal lagoons: a comparative study
by M. Bartoli, M. Cattadori, G. Giordani & P. Viaroli ............................. 143-159
Seasonal variation in rates of heterotrophic nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) in Zostera
noltii meadows and uncolonised sediments of the Bassin d' Arcachon, south-west France
by D.T. Welsh, S. Bourgues, R de Wit & RA. Herbert............................ 161-174
Relationships between porewater organic carbon content, sulphate reduction and nitrogen
fixation (acetylene reduction) in the rhizosphere of Zostera noltii
by D.T. Welsh, P. Wellsbury, S. Bourgues, R de Wit & RA. Herbert ............... 175-183
The biogeochemistry of two eutrophic marine lagoons and its effect on microphytobenthic
communities
by LJ. Stal, S.B. Behrens, M. Villbrandt, S. van Bergeijk & F. Kruyning ............ 185-198
Sulfur bacteria in sediments of two coastal ecosystems: the Bassin d' Arcachon and the Etang
du Prevost, France
by B.E.M. Schaub & H. van Gemerden .......................................... 199-210
Sulphide release from anoxic sediments in relation to iron availability and organic matter
recalcitrance and its effects on inorganic phosphorus recycling
by G. Giordani, M. Bartoli, M. Cattadori & P. Viaroli ............................. 211-222
SUBJECT INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223-225
Hydrobiologia 329: vii, 1996. vii
P. Caumette, J. Castel & R. Herbert (eds), Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication and ANaerobic Processes (C.L.E.AN.).
Preface
The Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication and ANaerobic processes research programme (CLEAN) was one of the
projects funded under the European Community Environment Research Programme 1991-1994. Coastal lagoons
constitute an important transition zone between the terrestrial environment and the open ocean. They comprise
13% of the world's coastline from the tropics to the polar regions. Their productivity is derived from interactions
between the land, oceans and atmosphere. They are enriched by the oceanic and continental inputs and are amongst
the most productive ecosystems in the biosphere.
The effect of human activity on these coastal ecosystems, whether direct or indirect, has accelerated considerably
in recent years and the impact of such changes on these sensitive and economically important environments is now
a cause of major concern. Along the European coasts, many shallow coastal lagoons receive large amounts of
organic and mineral nutrients which has led to a rapid increase in eutrophication over the two last decades.
The objective of this project was to study different lagoon systems subject to increasing levels of eutrophication
in order to identify the key processes controlling these changes and how they impact on the species composition
and population dynamics of the indigenous biological communities.
The papers in this special volume provide a comprehensive set of data on the effects of eutrophication on the
population dynamics of the indigenous biota, biodiversity, trophic relationships, biogeochemical cycling, nutrient
inputs and fluxes in two constrasting lagoon systems, the highly eutrophic Etang du Prevost and the moderately
eutrophic Bassin d'Arcachon. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach it has been possible to identify the key
processes regulating eutrophication in these lagoons and their impact on the community structure of the primary
and secondary producers as well as the nutrient exchanges which occur at the sediment-water interface. These data
provide a valuable source of new information for scientists working on related problems in similar ecosystems as
well as those involved in the management of these important natural resources.
The editors wish to acknowledge the assistance given by the numerous referees who carefully reviewed the
manuscripts and to thank Professor Henri Dumont, editor-in-chief of Hydrobiologia for his invaluable assistance
in the production of this special volume. We also wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement given by Dr
Canice Nolan of the European Commission Directorate DG XII to publish the data obtained during the course of
this project as a single special volume of Hydrobiologia.
We are grateful to the Conservatoire du Littoral (Mrs Musson) and to the Conseil General of Gironde (Mr
Boutet) for field work facilities and permission to enter and work on the site of Certes in Arcachon Bay and the
Company of Maguelone, and their director Mr Sallas for help during sampling work in the Prevost lagoon.
Finally, it is a pleasure to thank the staff of the Centre d'Oceanographie et de Biologie Marine, Arcachon, for
the unstinting support that they have given to all the participants during the course of this project. Particular thanks
are due to Fran~oise Truong who provided the administrative support for the project.
Arcachon, October 1995 P. CAUMETIE
J. CASTEL
R.A. HERBERT
viii
PARTICIPATING LABORATORIES
FRENCH GROUP Centre d'Oceanographie et de Biologie
marine
Pierre Caumette
Coordinator 2 rue Jolyet
Jacques Castel 33120 Arcachon
Universite Bordeaux I
2 DUTCH GROUP Laboratory for Microbiology
Lucas Stal Nieuwe Achtergracht 127
University of Amsterdam NL-l 0 18 WS Amsterdam
(proposer)
Hans van Gemerden Dept. of Microbiology
University of Groningen P.O. Box 14
(associate proposer) Kerklaan 30
8750 NN Haren
3 DANISH GROUP Institute of Biological Sciences
Niels Peter Revsbech Dept. of Microbial Ecology
University of Aarhus Ny Munkegade
Building 540
DK 8000 Aarhus C
4 U.K. GROUP Dept. of Biological Sciences
Rod Herbert DundeeDD14HN
University of Dundee
5 ITALIAN GROUP Dipart. Biologia Evolutiva
Victor U go Ceccherelli Via L. Borsari 46
Universita di Ferrara 44100 Ferrara
(proposer)
Ireneo Ferrari Instituto di Ecologia
Universita di Parma Viala della Scienze
(associate proposer) 43100 Parma
6 SPANISH GROUP Departamento de Genetica
Francisco Rodriguez-Valera Molecular y Microbiologia
Universidad de Alicante Campus de San Juan
Apartado 374
03080 Alicante
Hydrobi%gia 329: ix-xxviii, 1996. IX
P. Caumette, 1. Castel & R. Herbert (eds), Coastal Lagoon Eutrophication and ANaerobic Processes (C.L.E.AN.).
©1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Eutrophication gradients in coastal lagoons as exemplified by the Bassin
d' Arcachon and the Etang du Prevost
Jacques Castell, Pierre Caumette1 & Rodney Herbert2
1 Laboratoire d'Oceanographie Biologique, Universite Bordeaux I, 33120 Arcachon, France
2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DDI 4HN, Scotland
Key words: Coastal lagoons, eutrophication, macrophytes, microorganisms, nitrogen cycle, sulphur cycle
Abstract
The conditions of eutrophication are described in three lagoon systems differing by their structure, their catchment
area and their connection with the sea: the Bassin d' Arcachon on the Atlantic coast, SW France, the semi-artificial
fish ponds of the Bassin d' Arcachon, and the Etang du Prevost on the Mediterranean. The Bassin d' Arcachon is a
shallow semi-enclosed bay, strongly influenced by climatic factors and tidal currents. The Bassin receives significant
inflow of freshwater and the waters are only partially renewed. The greatest part of the primary production is due to
the seagrass Zostera noltii. Although the ecosystem remains on the whole in steady state, some evidence of potential
eutrophication are visible. For instance, the flux of nitrogen into the Bassin d' Arcachon has increased by more than
50% during the last 25 years. The most significant change among primary producers is the massive development
since 1988 of the green alga Monostroma obscurum. The fish 'reservoirs' of the Bassin d' Arcachon are man-made
enclosures designed for extensive aquaculture and where the water renewal is only possible during certain periods
of time. Thus, because of the shallowness and the confined nature of these fish ponds, acute eutrophication is
sometimes observed in summer. The Etang du Prevost is extremely eutrophic due to agricultural and urban run-off.
Red waters occur periodically during the warm summer months as a consequence of ecological events beginning in
the early spring with a bloom of green macroalgae (Ulva sp.). In summer, the algal biomass is degraded by aerobic
heterotrophic bacteria; the oxygen demand encompasses the oxygen production, leading to the predominence of
anaerobic processes and dystrophic crisis. From the comparison of the selected sites, three stages of eutrophication
are recognized according to the conceptual model of Nienhuis (1992) describing the relation between the relative
dominance of primary producers connected to the availability of nutrients. Such macroscopic observations should,
now, be explained by the study of microbiological processes including meiofauna, protozoa, bacteria and all the
components of the microbial loop.
Introduction eutrophication are amongst the major problems faced
by those responsible for the management of these sen
Littoral ecosystems such as lagoons, estuaries, and salt sitive ecosystems.
marshes are highly productive environments but how Lagoons have been historically important as sites
they function is still not fully understood (Lasserre, for human settlement providing access to both the land
1979a; Lasserre & Postma, 1982). Most of them and the sea. Not only they are important for trans
are subjected to continuous natural modifications. portation, they also provide natural food resources,
Lagoons, in particular, may undergo periods of dis such as oysters, clams, shrimps, fish, as well as pro
order due to excessive eutrophication which can lead viding a convenient place to dump urban and industrial
to dystrophic crisis, the so-called malai"gue in Mediter waste. Some of these multiple uses are compatible;
ranean lagoons (Caumette & Baleux, 1980). The con others are not. It is a key objective of the manage
trol of production and consequently the control of ment of these systems that the maximum benefit can
x
Table 1. Comparison of the characteristics of The continental inputs in the coastal lagoons are
seawater and lagoonal water. Example from the
mainly characterized by river waters and, sometime, by
Bassin d' Arcachon, SW France (August \986,
after Escaravage, 1990). Seawater = open water ground water or rain water that drain the surrounding
in the Bassin d' Arcachon, fish ponds = shallow soils. These waters not only carry large amounts of
lagoonal enclosures.
particulate material in the form of clay particles and
organic detritus but also dissolved material in the form
Seawater Fish ponds
of dissolved organic matter and nutrients arising from
P04 (Mmoll-I) 0.25 human activity in the vicinity ofthe lagoons (fertilizers,
NH4 (Mmoll-I) 0.78 5.62 domestic and industrial effluents ... ). Most of these
N03 (Mmoll-I) 1.14 0.30 materials are deposited and concentrate in the lagoons.
N02 (Mmoll-I) 0.26 0.\5 Nutrient and organic inputs, together with shal
pH 8.5 7.3
low water conditions, good light penetration and good
02 (% saturation) 87 35
mixing, lead to high primary production. It is widely
accepted that the rates of primary production in coastal
lagoons are among the highest measured for natural
be derived from these exploitations without jeopardis ecosystems (Lasserre, 1979a). The bulk of the primary
ing their long-term future. production is due to macrophytes: phanerogams (Rup
pia, Zostera) and macroalgae (Enteromorpha, Ulva).
However, significant production by microphytes (epi
Ecological structure and biogeochemical cycles of phytic and/or epibenthic) have also been recorded.
eutrophic coastal lagoons The pelagic compartment (phyto-and zooplankton)
is not the most important component in lagoon ecosys
Basic model of lagoon ecosystem tems. The shallowness of the water column associat
ed with the stagnation of the water normally does not
Coastal lagoon ecosystems are directly related to allow the planktonic community to develop to any great
the physical and chemical environment, i.e. coastal extent. Most of the micro-invertebrates encountered in
lagoons are dynamic, open systems where functions the water column are phytophilous or epibenthic.
are dominated and controlled by physical processes In lagoons, the benthic compartment largely con
(Figure 1). trols the functioning of the ecosystem. The superficial
The driving forces of these systems are character film of sediment on the lagoon bed is generally cov
ized by: ered by a blanket of unicellular organisms (cyanobacte
- flux vectors (currents, tide, solar energy, rain), ria, peridinians, dinoflagellates, diatoms). Through the
- marine inputs (sediment, coastal waters and asso- intense browsing action of herbivorous fauna such as
ciated elements such as nutrients, plankton), small gastropods and crustaceans, this vegetal mate
- continental inputs (rivers, groundwater, nutrients, rial is converted into increasingly fine debris (Fig
sediment, organic matter). ure 2) which is quickly colonized by a large number
Because of their position as an interface between of microorganisms (microalgae, bacteria) and small
the terrestrial and marine environments, they are sub sized invertebrates (meiofauna, crustaceans, annelids).
ject to both continental and marine influences. Thus This colonized detritus constitutes an important food
they are highly dynamic environments. source for higher trophic levels (shrimps, fish, espe
The lagoon ecosystem receives from the marine cially mullet).
environment oxidized forms of inorganic nitrogen and The excessive primary production leads to high
phosphorus which are restored as reduced compounds. rates of production in the rest of the biological food
Ammonia is a preponderant form of nitrogen (Table 1). web in these ecosystems. Thus eutrophication is char
Its concentration in the sediment is high, due to the acteristic of many coastal lagoons which should be
mineralization of large amount of organic matter. In considered as frontal ecosystems, which whilst very
contrast, nitrate concentrations are generally low. Low productive are unstable and sensitive to changes in
phosphate concentrations recorded in lagoon waters physical and chemical conditions. Recent research,
are related to adsorption by particulate matter and the however, suggests that their biological communities
sediments. However, frequent release of P04 leads to are well adapted to such perturbations and are able to
high variation in the measured concentrations. function as apparently stable ecosystems.