Phytoplankton mucilage production in coastal waters: a dispersal mechanism in a front dominated system? Academic Article

abstract

• I hypothesise that mucilage production by phytoplankton blooms in coastal waters serves as a dispersal mechanism allowing the transport of cells between different patches of the coastal sea. Cells trapped in mucilaginous foams floating on the sea surface are lofted into the air; resulting in lateral dispersal by winds. Mucilage production by phytoplankton is associated with nutrient limitation and monospecific blooms. Under conditions of nutrient limitation, wind dispersal provides a mechanism to carry the genes of a clonal bloom to areas where growth and replication may continue. In coastal seas, frontal systems form a barrier to lateral movement through the water column; however, the accumulation of mucilage on the surface at fronts provides a mechanism by which wind born transfer may occur. This hypothesis provides a functional explanation for mucilaginous blooms and describes an elaboration of a dispersal mechanism proposed by HAMILTON & LENTON (1998). 1999 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

authors

• Thornton, Daniel

published proceedings

• ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION

author list (cited authors)

• Thornton, D.

citation count

• 12

complete list of authors

• Thornton, DCO

publication date

• April 1999

publisher

• Taylor & Francis  Publisher

published in

• Ethology Ecology and Evolution  Journal

keywords

• Aerobiology
• Dispersal
• Fronts
• Microalgae
• Mucilage
• Nutrient Limitation
• Phytoplankton Blooms

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1080/08927014.1999.9522835

start page

• 179

end page

• 185

volume

• 11

issue

• 2

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1080%2F08927014.1999.9522835