Multivariate Analysis of Interactions Between Phytoplankton Biomass and Environmental Variables in Taihu Lake, China

Phytoplankton variation in large shallow eutrophic lakes is characterized by high spatial and temporal heterogenity. Understanding the pattern of phytoplankton variation and the relationships between it and environmental variables can contribute to eutrophic lakes management. In this study Taihu Lake, one of the largest eutrophic fresh water lake in China, was taken as study area. The water body of Taihu Lake was divided into five regions viz. Wuli bay (WB), Meilian Bay (MB), West Taihu Lake (WTL), Main Body of Taihu Lake (MBTL) and East Taihu Lake (ETL). Concentrations of chlorophyll-a and the related environmental variables were determined in each region in the period 2000–2003. Factor analysis and multivariate analysis were applied to evaluate the interactions between phytoplankton variation and environmental variables. Results showed that the highest average concentrations of TN, TP and Chl-a were observed in WB, followed in a descending order by MB and WTL, and the lowest concentrations of TN, TP and Chl-a were observed in MBTL and ETL. Chl-a and TP concentrations in most regions (except ETL) declined during the study period. It suggested that to some extent the lake was recovering from eutrophication. However, persistent ascending of TN and NH₄–N in all five regions indicated the deteriorating of water quality in the study period. Results of multivariate showed that the relationships between phytoplankton biomass and environmental variables varied among regions. TP illustrated itself a controlling role on phytoplankton in WB, MB, WTL and MBTL according to the significant positive relations to phytoplankton biomass in these regions. Nitrogen could be identified as a limiting factor to phytoplankton biomass in ETL in view of the positive correlations between TN and phytoplankton and between NH₄–N and phytoplankton. Spatial variation of interactions between phytoplankton and environmental parameters suggested proper eutrophication control measures were needed to restore ecological system in each region of Taihu Lake.     

Water quality assessment using integrated modeling and monitoring in Narva Bay, Gulf of Finland

A coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic–ecological model was used for the assessment of water quality in Narva Bay during one biologically active season. Narva Bay is located in the south-eastern Gulf of Finland. Narva River with a catchment’s area covering part of Russia and Estonia discharges water and nutrients to Narva Bay. The ecological model includes phytoplankton carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, chlorophyll a, zooplankton, detritus carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, inorganic nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and dissolved oxygen as state variables. Both the hydrodynamic and ecosystem models were validated using a limited number of measurements. The hydrodynamic model validation included comparison of time series of currents and temperature and salinity profiles. The ecological model results were compared with the monitoring data of phytoplankton biomass, total nitrogen and phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. The comparison of hydrodynamic parameters, phytoplankton biomass, surface layer total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen and near-bottom layer total nitrogen was reasonable. Time series of spatially mean values and standard deviations of selected parameters were calculated for the whole Narva Bay. Combining model results and monitoring data, the characteristic concentrations of phytoplankton biomass, total nitrogen and phosphorus and near-bottom dissolved oxygen were estimated. Phytoplankton biomass and total phosphorus showed seasonal variations, of 0.6–1.1 and 0.022–0.032 mg/l, respectively, during spring bloom, 0.1–0.3 and 0.015–0.025 mg/l in summer and 0.2–0.6 and 0.017–0.035 mg/l during autumn bloom. Total nitrogen and near-bottom oxygen concentrations were rather steady, being 0.25–0.35 and 2–6 mg/l, respectively. The total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations show that according to the classification of Estonian coastal waters, Narva Bay water belongs to a good water quality class.     

Statistical source identification of metals in groundwater exposed to industrial contamination

Levels of selected metals Na, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb and Mn were estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in groundwater samples from Kasur, a significant industrial city of Pakistan. Salient mean concentration levels were recorded for: Na (211 mg/l), Ca (187 mg/l), Mg (122 mg/l), K (87.7 mg/l), Fe (2.57 mg/l) and Cr (2.12 mg/l). Overall, the decreasing metal concentration order was: Na > Ca > Mg > K > Fe > Cr > Zn > Co > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cd. Significantly positive correlations were found between Na–Cr (r = 0.553), Na–Mn (r = 0.543), Mg–Fe (r = 0.519), Mg–Cr (r = 0.535), Pb–K (r = 0.506) and Pb–Ni (r = 0.611). Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis identified tannery effluents as the main source of metal contamination of the groundwater. The present metal data showed that Cr, Pb and Fe levels were several times higher than those recommended for water quality by WHO, US-EPA, EU and Japan. The elevated levels of Cr, recorded as 21–42 fold higher compared with the recommended quality values, were believed to originate from the tanning industry of Kasur.     

Residual fate and persistence of endosulfan (50 WDG) in Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum)

A detailed study has been presented on heavy metal content of the Iture Estuary. Waters of the Sorowie and Kakum rivers that supply water into the Estuary were investigated to ascertain heavy metal pollution levels due to anthropogenic activities. Concentration s of Cd, Zn, Se and Pb were measured. The study shows pre-occupying pollution levels that constitute a threat to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The abundance of metals in the Estuary is in the order Zn > Pb > Cd > Se. The level of Cd in the Iture Estuary ranged between 0.011 mg/l and 0.041 mg/l while Se was in the range 0.018 mg/l to 0.029 mg/l, Pb 0.020 mg/l to 0.075 mg/l and Zn 0.040 to 2.45 mg/l. The impact of contaminated water from the Sorowie River on the Iture Estuary was outstanding and the study points out the importance of the Sorowie River as a primary pollution source to the Iture Estuary. The pollution of the Iture Estuary was found to be connected to human activities in its catchments.     

Estimating reference nutrient criteria for Maryland ecoregions

Management of stream nutrients is becoming increasingly important in order to protect both water quality and aquatic resources throughout the USA. Using an extensive water quality database from the long-term Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS), we describe nutrient relationships to landscape characteristics as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of small-order, non-tidal streams in USEPA L2 and L3 ecoregions in Maryland and by MBSS stream order at the L2 and L3 ecoregion levels. To protect stream ecosystem integrity, preliminary reference nutrient estimates (TN and TP) as percentiles (25th of all stream reaches and 75th of stream reference reaches) for the six Maryland L3 ecoregions are: Blue Ridge TN 0.29 and 0.64 mg/L, TP 0.0065 and 0.0090 mg/L; Central Appalachians TN 0.40 and 1.0 mg/L, TP 0.0060 and 0.015 mg/L; Middle Atlantic Coastal Plains TN 0.93 and 2.5 mg/L, TP 0.094 and 0.065 mg/L; Northern Piedmont TN 1.6 and 1.8 mg/L, TP 0.010 and 0.015 mg/L; Ridge and Valley TN 0.40 and 0.98 mg/L, TP 0.0063 and 0.012 mg/L; and Southeastern Plains TN 0.33 and 0.82 mg/L, TP 0.016 and 0.042 mg/L. High levels of both TN and TP are present in many streams found in non-tidal watersheds associated with all Maryland ecoregions, but are especially elevated in the Northern Piedmont and Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregions, with the latter second-order streams (average TN?>?2.9 mg/L) significantly higher than all other ecoregion–order combinations. Across all six ecoregions, mean nutrient loading for both TN and TP was generally equivalent in first-order streams to nutrient concentrations seen in both second- and third-order streams, indicating a definite need to increase efforts in preventing nutrients from entering first-order streams. Small-order stream nutrient levels are the drivers for subsequent TN and TP inputs into the upper freshwater tidal reaches of the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in a potential risk for altered estuarine ecosystems.     

太湖湖滨带浮游植物群落特征及指示种筛选

针对太湖湖滨带,均匀布设49个点位,分别于2009年12月、2010年4、8月开展浮游植物及水质监测。结果显示,湖滨带浮游植物群落多样性整体较低,优势种从枯水期到丰水期呈"鱼腥藻-鱼腥藻-微囊藻"的演变趋势;西北部湖区(竺山湖、梅梁湾、西部沿岸)浮游植物密度明显高于东南部湖区(东部沿岸、东太湖、南部沿岸);湖滨带浮游植物群落结构与湖体相似,密度比湖体高1个数量级;RDA排序筛选出在显著水平上解释浮游植物分布的最小变量组合为TN、CODMn、SS、p H、SD,且方差分解指出TN是相对最重要的变量;当物种适合度为50%~100%时,与TN具有较好梯度响应关系的是四尾栅藻及弓型藻,并且这2个种与TN、TP及综合营养状态指数的组合变量也有较好的梯度响应关系,具备指示太湖湖滨带富营养化的可能,但定量指示意义尚待进一步研究。     

溪源水库蓄水前后冬春季水体营养盐和浮游植物特征研究

于2007—2008年溪源水库蓄水前,2014—2015年溪源水库蓄水后对溪源宫水源地水体进行采样,分析了冬春季水体的理化指标、浮游植物生物量及群落组成。蓄水前共鉴定出浮游植物6门26属43种,水体水质状况较好,浮游植物细胞密度平均为7.31×10~5cells/L,以硅藻、绿藻门为优势门类,两者占浮游植物总生物量的比例约为54.7%、32.2%,水体呈贫-中营养状态。蓄水后,水体氮、磷营养盐浓度分别约为蓄水前的2.4倍、3倍,浮游植物细胞密度平均为1.42×10~7cells/L,约为蓄水前的20倍,且群落结构发生改变,优势门类为硅藻、蓝藻、绿藻,所占比例分别为40.2%、38.7%、14.4%,蓝藻门比例有显著提高,约为蓄水前的5倍。说明建库蓄水对浮游植物的影响显著。     

River discharge as a major driving force on spatial and temporal variations in zooplankton biomass and community structure in the Godavari estuary India

Variability in horizontal zooplankton biomass distribution was investigated over 13 months in the Godavari estuary, along with physical (river discharge, temperature, salinity), chemical (nutrients, particulate organic matter), biological (phytoplankton biomass), and geological (suspended matter) properties to examine the influencing factors on their spatial and temporal variabilities. The entire estuary was filled with freshwater during peak discharge period and salinity near zero, increased to ~ 34 psu during dry period with relatively high nutrient levels during former than the latter period. Due to low flushing time (< 1 day) and high suspended load (> 500 mg L^?1) during peak discharge period, picoplankton (cyanophyceae) contributed significantly to the phytoplankton biomass (Chl-a) whereas microplankton and nanoplankton (bacillariophyceae, and chlorophyceae) during moderate and mostly microplankton during dry period. Zooplankton biomass was the lowest during peak discharge period and increased during moderate followed by dry period. The zooplankton abundance was controlled by dead organic matter during peak discharge period, while both phytoplankton biomass and dead organic matter during moderate discharge and mostly phytoplankton biomass during dry period. This study suggests that significant modification of physico-chemical properties by river discharge led to changes in phytoplankton composition and dead organic matter concentrations that alters biomass, abundance, and composition of zooplankton in the Godavari estuary.     

Water quality assessment: surface water sources used for drinking and irrigation in Zaria,Nigeria are a public health hazard

We assessed the quality and pollution status of source surface waters in Zaria, Nigeria by monitoring the nature, cause and extent of pollution in Samaru stream, Kubanni River and Kubanni dam over a period of 10 months, between March and December 2002. A total of 228 water samples was collected from 12 sites and analysed for a total of ten physicochemical and one bacteriological quality indicators, using standard methods. Aesthetic water quality impairment parameters were also observed. The mean values of most water quality parameters were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the stream and river than in the dam. There was no significant correlation between faecal coliform counts (FCC) and water temperature (in the range 15–33°C); pH (5.77–7.32); and turbidity (1.4–567 NTU). The high FCC ranged from 2.0 × 10¹ to 1.6 × 10⁶ MPN/100 ml and exceeded the WHO standards for drinking water and water used for fresh-produce irrigation, and correlated positively (P < 0.05) with conductivity (in the range 68–1,029 μS/cm); TDS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); TSS (10.0–70.0 mg/l); Cl (7.5–181 mg/l); PO₄⁻P (0.01–0.41 mg/l); NO₃⁻N (0.6–3.8 mg/l) and BOD₅ (0.1–14.9 mg/l). The main pollution sources were municipal wastewater, stormwater runoffs, the ABU sewage treatment plant, abattoir effluents and irrigation farms treated with chemical fertilisers. We conclude that these water bodies are potentially hazardous to public health and that proper sewage treatment and river quality monitoring are needed to warn against hazards to public health.     

太湖氮磷大气干湿沉降时空特征

为了探索太湖氮磷营养盐干湿沉降特征及对太湖营养盐输入的贡献,于2011年不同季节采集太湖不同位点的大气干湿沉降样品,分析干湿沉降中氮（N）和磷（P）的形态和沉降量。研究结果表明,输入太湖的磷以干沉降为主,而氮以湿沉降为主。在太湖干沉降中总无机氮（TIN）占总氮（TN）的77.1%,溶解性磷（DIP）占总磷（TP）的77.9%。干沉降中TIN主要以NH+4-N为主。西太湖是TN与TP通过大气干湿沉降输入太湖的最高湖区。太湖全年大气TN沉降总量为20 978 t,TP沉降总量为1 268 t,因此,氮磷大气干湿沉降是太湖营养盐输入的重要来源之一。     

洞庭湖水体叶绿素a时空分布及与环境因子的相关性

2013年6月至2014年5月逐月对洞庭湖水体叶绿素a质量浓度和主要环境因子进行测定,分析洞庭湖水体叶绿素a质量浓度的时空分布特征,探讨洞庭湖水体叶绿素a质量浓度与环境因子的相关性。结果表明,洞庭湖水体叶绿素a质量浓度为0.11~8.62 mg/m~3,年均值为(1.89±1.23)mg/m~3,属贫营养;叶绿素a质量浓度随季节变化明显,总体呈现夏、秋季明显大于冬、春季的规律;在空间上,总体表现为西洞庭湖和东洞庭湖明显大于南洞庭湖。全湖叶绿素a质量浓度与水温、电导率、COD和TP呈极显著正相关,与DO、NH3-N、TN和TN/TP呈极显著负相关,与NO-3-N呈显著负相关,与p H和透明度无显著相关性。全湖TN/TP的年均值为28.5,磷可能是洞庭湖水体浮游植物生长的限制性营养盐。     

Phytoplankton variation and its relationship with the environment in Xiangxi Bay in spring after damming of the Three-Gorges, China

Following the completion of the Three-Gorges Dam, there was a strong spring phytoplankton bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three-Gorges Reservoir. However, our knowledge of relationship between spring phytoplankton bloom and environmental factors was still limited. In this study, phytoplankton species composition, biomass, chlorophyll a concentration and environmental factors at two sampling sites in Xiangxi Bay were investigated during 25 March to 18 May 2007. The Xiangxi Bay was eutrophic with the lowest values of total nitrogen and total phosphorus being 0.80 and 0.07?mg/L, respectively. A total of 66 algal taxa belonging to seven phyla and 45 genera were identified. Peridiniopsis niei Liu was the most abundant species which preferred standing water. Canonical correspondence analysis and correlation analysis revealed that nitrate was significantly associated with phytoplankton growth. The phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration was correlated significantly negatively with nitrate concentration, and nitrate concentration was very low during bloom periods. Heavy rainfall was the main reason of phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration and biomass decreasing and blooms disappearing. In addition, heavy rainfall also brought more nitrate into the Bay which provided sufficient nitrogen source for blooms occurring again.     

The Status of Pesticide Residues in the Drinking Water Sources in Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China

The study was carried out to assess the levels of pesticide residues in the water of Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China. The most commonly employed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and herbicide atrazine were analyzed. The water samples were collected seasonally from Meiliangwan Bay within a period of one year. The pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with μECD or NPD after solid-phase extraction (SPE), which was confirmed by GC with an ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The mean concentrations were 1.98 ng/l for lindane, 0.378 ng/l for heptachlor epoxide, 0.367 ng/l for p,p′-DDE, 0.496 ng/l for p,p′-DDD, 1.06 ng/l for p,p′-DDT and 51.6 ng/l for dichlorvos, 39.0 ng/l for demeton, 346 ng/l for dimethoate, 4.12 ng/l for methyl parathion, 11.6 ng/l for malathion, 2.17 ng/l for parathion and 217 ng/l for atrazine. Generally, low concentrations of OCP were found, whereas the concentrations of the OPPs and atrazine in the water of Taihu Lake were relatively high. Heptachlor epoxide and lindane were the two most commonly encountered OCPs while dichlorvos, demeton and dimethoate were found to have much higher concentrations and occurrences than other OPPs.     

Variations in sensitivity of two populations of Corophium Orientale (Crustacea: Amphipoda) towards cadmium and sodium laurylsulphate

The aim of this work was to monitor the sensitivity of two populations of Corophium orientale (Crustacea: Amphipoda) living at the outfall of two rivers (Magra and Serchio), comparing their responses towards two different toxicant solutions. Sensitivity was monthly checked performing the 96h-LC₅₀ static water only test with Cd(NO₃)₂ and SDS. If no significant differences were found between the two populations, they could have been employed without distinction to perform sediment toxicity bioassays. As regard to Cd, an increasing in LC₅₀ values from summer to winter was evident in each population (Serchio River: August 2003  =  1,36 mg/l, February 2004  =  7,23 mg/l; Magra River: August  =  1,21 mg/l, April  =  5,01 mg/l). This pattern was correlated to the droop of temperatures in winter period. The responses of the two populations towards the cadmium were compared using the ANOVA. The analysis showed any significant differences between the populations (p  =  0.12). The pattern of sensitivity towards SDS for the population living on Magra River was similar to the same pattern found for Cd; as regard to the population living on Serchio River, data were not enough to describe the annual pattern. Anyway, statistical analysis was performed and no significant differences were found between the two populations (p  =  0.34).     

新安江水库浮游植物群落特征及影响因素分析

为了解新安江水库浮游植物群落特征及影响因素,于2008年1月—2009年12月,对其浮游植物和相关理化因子进行了单月1次的采样。共检测到浮游植物103种(属),浮游植物密度为1.46×106~2.55×107cells/L,年平均密度为6.09×106cells/L,春、秋季出现2个密度峰值;浮游植物组成随季节变化有所不同,春、冬季硅藻、隐藻占优势,夏季蓝藻、绿藻占优势,秋季蓝藻、硅藻占优势;浮游植物密度与TP、Chl-a及上月降水量均呈显著正相关,与透明度呈显著负相关,与TN相关性不明显;水库的水文形势季节性变化显著影响浮游植物结构和密度的变化,浮游植物生长短期效应明显受流域降水和温度双重影响;从大尺度生态效应角度看,食物网的下行效应可能是目前影响新安江水库浮游植物密度的主导因素,大规模滤食性的杂食性鱼类对浮游动物造成较高的捕食压力,间接促进了浮游植物种群的增长;磷是关键的营养盐因子,保持水体低磷浓度和氮磷比大于100,对降低浮游植物密度有现实意义。     

Total mercury distribution in different tissues of six species of freshwater fish from the Kpong hydroelectric reservoir in Ghana

Total mercury concentrations were determined in seven tissues of 38 fish samples comprising six species from the Kpong hydroelectric reservoir in Ghana by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry technique using an automatic mercury analyzer. Mercury concentration in all the tissues ranged from 0.005 to 0.022 μg/g wet weight. In general, the concentration of mercury in all the tissues were decreasing in the order; liver > muscle > intestine > stomach > gonad > gill > swim bladder. Mercury concentration was generally greater in the tissues of high-trophic-level fish such as Clarotes laticeps, Mormyrops anguilloides and Chrysichthys aurutus whereas low-trophic-level fish such as Oreochromis niloticus recorded low mercury concentration in their tissues. The results obtained for total mercury concentration in the muscle tissues analysed in this study are below the WHO/FAO threshold limit of 0.5 μg/g. This suggests that the exposure of the general public to Hg through fish consumption can be considered negligible.     

Assessment of river water quality during snowmelt and base flow periods in two catchment areas with different land use

River water quality was evaluated with respect to eutrophication and land use during spring snowmelt and summer base flow periods in Abashiri (mixed cropland-livestock farming) and Okoppe (grassland-based dairy cattle farming), eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Water from rivers and tributaries was sampled during snowmelt and summer base flow periods in 2005, and river flow was measured. Total N (TN), NO₃–N, and Si concentrations were determined using standard methods. Total catchment and upland areas for each sampling site were determined with ArcGIS hydrology modeling software and 1:25,000-scale digital topographic maps. Specific discharge was significantly higher during snowmelt than during base flow. In both areas, TN concentrations increased, whereas Si concentrations decreased, with increased specific discharge, and were significantly higher during snowmelt. The Si:TN mole ratio decreased to below or close to the threshold value for eutrophication (2.7) in one-third of sites during snowmelt. River NO₃–N concentrations during base flow were significantly and positively correlated with the proportion of upland fields in the catchment in both the Abashiri (r = 0.88, P < 0.001) and Okoppe (r = 0.43, P < 0.01) areas. However, the regression slope, defined as the impact factor (IF) of water quality, was much higher in Abashiri (0.025) than in Okoppe (0.0094). The correlations were also significantly positive during snowmelt in both areas, but IF was four to eight times higher during snowmelt than during base flow. Higher discharge of N from upland fields and grasslands during snowmelt and the resulting eutrophication in estuaries suggest that nutrient discharge during snowmelt should be taken into account when assessing and monitoring the annual loss of nutrients from agricultural fields.     

Nutrient concentrations in Maryland non-tidal streams

Using a spatially extensive database from the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS), we describe nutrient relationships of small-order, non-tidal streams to Maryland watershed basins, Maryland Tributary Strategy basins, and stream order. In addition, we estimate the number of stream km affected by nutrient loading, using derived nutrient criteria. Based on the MBSS spring water quality sampling, we determined several important factors relating to nutrient levels in non-tidal streams. There are strong linear relationships of nutrients to the percentage of agriculture and forested land present within MBSS sampling strata. Both mean total nitrogen (TN) and mean total phosphorus (TP) levels for watershed basins by stream order show exceedances of derived nutrient reference criteria for Maryland. Four Maryland basins have over 85% of their stream kilometers exceeding the TN criterion, with three basins over 90% of the TP criterion. To protect small stream integrity in Maryland, we recommend an upper stream TN criterion between 1.34 and 1.68 mg/L and an upper stream TP criterion between 0.025 and 0.037 mg/L, based on quantile analyses. Elevated levels of both TN and TP are present in non-tidal streams, with subsequent nutrient inputs into the upper freshwater tidal reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.     

基于3S技术对太湖底质及水质总磷的研究

应用3S技术研究了太湖底质与水质总磷(TP)的分布情况,并结合水华频次分析了其相关性。结果表明:2016—2018年,太湖底质TP年均值在433~537 mg/kg波动,水质TP年均值从0.064 mg/L上升至0.087 mg/L。从空间分布来看,底质TP、水质TP和水华频次均呈现“西高东低”的规律,太湖西部区尤其是竺山湖区是需要开展治理的重点区域。3年间,太湖西部区水质TP上升,而底质TP与入湖河流TP下降,说明内源磷污染是太湖西部区水质TP升高的主要原因,须加强科学清淤。     

Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry of plankton and the nutrient regime in Cabo Frio Bay, SE Brazil

This long-term study, performed during the years 2003–2005 and 2008–2009, investigated the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents of the phyto- and zooplankton communities and the nutrient regime of Cabo Frio Bay, SE Brazil. The information intends to serve as baseline of the plankton C, N, and P stoichiometry for the calibration of biogeochemical and ecological models in support to future findings related to the local and regional phenomena of climatic change. Cabo Frio Bay is a small semienclosed system set adjacent to a region subject to sporadic coastal upwelling. Zooplankton exhibited average annual C, N, and P contents of 11.6?±?6.9 %, 2.8?±?1.8 %, and 0.18?±?0.08 %, and phytoplankton (>20 μm) 6.8?±?6.0 %, 1.6?±?1.5 %, and 0.09?±?0.08 %, respectively. The C/N/P ratios correspond to the lowest already found to date for a marine environment. The low C contents must have been brought about by a predominance of gelatinous zooplankton, like Doliolids/ Salps and also Pteropods. Average annual nutrient concentrations in the water were 0.21?±?0.1 μM for phosphate, 0.08?±?0.1 μM for nitrite, 0.74?±?1.6 μM for nitrate, and 1.27?±?1.1 μM for ammonium. N/P ratios were around 8:1 during the first study period and 12:1 during the second. The plankton C/N/P and N/P nutrient ratios and elemental concentrations suggest that the system was oligotrophic and nitrogen limited. The sporadic intrusions of upwelling waters during the first study period had no marked effect upon the systems metabolism, likely due to dilution effects and the short residence times of water of the bay.