Abstract
The abundance of phytoplankton and the composition of nutrients were analysed at three stations in the highly stratified karstic Krka Estuary (east Adriatic coast), in the period March 2000–February 2001. The phytoplankton assemblages were analysed by cluster analysis (average linkage), applied to the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity index computed on density data. Seven groups were identified, which can be combined into two major groups. The spring period was influenced by high riverine water inflow and characterised by the development of cocolithophorids and autotrophic nanoplankton, and small diatoms in winter. In the summer–autumn period domination of one large group occurred, comprising dinoflagellates (micro and nano) and colonial diatoms. Three small groups were also present in that period, each with a specific phytoplankton composition. Variance explained by the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) of the time-position data was low but corresponded with clustering of samples. CC analysis revealed temperature and salinity as the most important indicators of riverine water impact that influenced species composition and phytoplankton seasonality. The nutrient regime was highly influenced by river/seawater exchange, except in the case of orthophosphates, which showed no correlation with salinity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Bakran-Petricioli D. Petricioli D. Viličić (1999) ArticleTitleTaxonomic composition and seasonal distribution of microphytoplankton in the Krka river estuary Natura Croatica 7 307–319
V. Denant A. Saliot R. F. C. Mantoura (1991) ArticleTitleDistribution of algal chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments in a stratified estuary: the Krka river, Adriatic Sea Marine Chemistry 32 285–297 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0304-4203(91)90044-W Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXitlCmu78%3D
Z. Gržetić (1990) Basic hydrologic and chemical properties of Krka estuary (in Croatian) Institute Ruder Boskovic Zagreb 162
Z. Gržetić R. Precali D. Deggobis A. Škrivanić (1991) ArticleTitleNutrient enrichment and phytoplankton response in an Adriatic karstic estuary Marine Chemistry 32 313–332
N. Jasprica M. Carić (2001) Planktonic diatoms and their relation to environmental factors at three stations in the southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea R. Jahn J. P. Kociolek A. Witkowski P. Compere (Eds) Lange–Bertalot Festschrift: Studies on Diatoms Gantner Ruggell Berlin 513–536
Kršinić, F., 1990. The planktonic ciliates in the Krka river estuary. In National Park Krka, status of research and problems of ecosystem protection. Croatian Ecological Society, pp. 259–262.
T. Legović (1991) ArticleTitleExchange of water in a stratified estuary with application to Krka (Adriatic Sea) Marine Chemistry 32 121–135
T. Legović Z. Gržetić V. Žutić (1991a) ArticleTitleSubsurface temperature maximum in a stratified estuary Marine Chemistry 32 163–170
T. Legović D. Viličić D. Petricioli V. Žutić (1991b) ArticleTitleSubsurface phytoplankton bloom in a stratified estuary Marine Chemistry 32 361–374
T. Legović D. Petricioli V. Žutić (1991c) ArticleTitleHypoxia in a pristine stratified estuary (Krka, Adriatic Sea) Marine Chemistry 32 347–359
T. Legović V. Žutić Z. Gržetić G. Cauwet R. Precali D. Viličić (1994) ArticleTitleEutrophication in the Krka estuary Marine Chemistry 46 203–215
T. Legović V. Žutić D. Viličić Z. Gržetić (1996) ArticleTitleTransport of silica in a stratified estuary Marine Chemistry 53 69–80
E. Lemaire G. Abril R. Wit ParticleDe H. Etcheber (2002) ArticleTitleDistribution of phytoplankton pigments in nine European estuaries and implications for an estuarine typology Biogeochemistry 59 5–23 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1015572508179 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmsVWlsbo%3D
A. Malej P. Mozetič V. Malačič S. Terzić M. Ahel (1995) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton responses to freshwater inputs in a small semi-enclosed gulf (Gulf of Trieste, Adriatic Sea) Marine Ecological Progressive Series 120 111–121
P. F. Moreira-Turcq G. Cauwet J. M. Martin (2001) ArticleTitleContribution of flow cytometry to estimate picoplankton biomass in estuarine systems Hydrobiologia 462 157–168 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1013138317897
C. B. Officer R. B. Biggs J. L. Taft L. E. Cronin M. A. Tyler W. R. Boynton (1984) ArticleTitleChesapeake Bay anoxia: origin development and significance Science 223 22–27
J. P. Sierra A. Sanchez-Arcilla J. Del Gonzalez Ro J. Flos E. Movellan C. Mosso R. Martnez M. Rodilla S. Falco I. Romero (2002) ArticleTitleSpatial distribution of nutrients in the Ebro estuary and plume Continental Shelf Research 22 361–378 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0278-4343(01)00061-9
J. D. H. Strickland T. R. Parsons (1972) ArticleTitleThe Practical Handbook of Seawater analysis Bulletin of Fisheries Research Board of Canada 167 310
Ter Braak, C. J. F., 1995. Ordination. In Jongman, R. H. G., C. J. F. Ter Braak O. F. R. van Tongeren, (eds), Data Analysis in Community and Landscape Ecology. Cambridge University Press, pp. 91–173.
H. Utermöhl (1958) ArticleTitleZur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen Phytoplankton Methodik Mitteilungen Internationale Vereiningung fuer Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie 9 1–38
D. Viličić (1985) ArticleTitleAn examination of cell volume in dominant phytoplankton species of the middle and southern Adriatic waters Internationale Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie 70 829–843
D. Viličić T. Legović V. Žutić (1989) ArticleTitleVertical distribution of phytoplankton in a stratified estuary Aquatic Science 51 31–46
Viličić, D., D. Petricioli & N. Jasprica, 1990. Seasonal phytoplankton distribution in the Krka estuary and Visovac lake (in Croatian). In. National Park Krka, status of research and problems of ecosystem protection. Croatian Ecological Society, pp. 317–330.
D. Viličić N. Jasprica M. Carić Z. Burić (1998) ArticleTitleTaxonomic composition and seasonal distribution of microphytoplankton in Mali Ston Bay (eastern Adriatic) Acta Botanica Croatica 57 1–10
Williams, P. J., 1981. Primary productivity and heterotrophic activity in estuaries. In Martin, J. M., J. D. Burton & D. Eisma (eds) River inputs to Ocean Systems. UNESCO: p 384.
V. Žutić T. Legović (1987) ArticleTitleA film of organic matter at the freshwater/seawater interface of an estuary Nature 328 612–614
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cetinić, I., Viličić, D., Burić, Z. et al. Phytoplankton Seasonality in a Highly Stratified Karstic Estuary (Krka, Adriatic Sea). Hydrobiologia 555, 31–40 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1103-7
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1103-7