Caroline Björnerås, M. Škerlep, Raphael Gollnisch, S. Herzog, G. Ugge, A. Hegg, Nan Hu, E. Johansson, Marcus Lee, Varpu Pärssinen, Yongcui Sha, J. Vinterstare, Huan Zhang, K. Hulthén, C. Brönmark, L. Hansson, P. Nilsson, K. Rengefors, R. Langerhans
{"title":"Inland blue holes of The Bahamas – chemistry and biology in a unique aquatic environment","authors":"Caroline Björnerås, M. Škerlep, Raphael Gollnisch, S. Herzog, G. Ugge, A. Hegg, Nan Hu, E. Johansson, Marcus Lee, Varpu Pärssinen, Yongcui Sha, J. Vinterstare, Huan Zhang, K. Hulthén, C. Brönmark, L. Hansson, P. Nilsson, K. Rengefors, R. Langerhans","doi":"10.1127/fal/2020/1330","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":": While lake systems in temperate regions have been extensively studied, tropical and subtropical systems have received less attention. Here, we describe the water chemistry and biota of ten inland blue holes on Andros Island, The Bahamas, representative of the morphological, abiotic, and biotic variation among Androsian inland blue holes. The majority of the studied blue holes were vertically stratified with oxic freshwater overlying anoxic saline groundwater of marine origin. Water chemistry (e.g. total phosphorus and nitrogen) in shallow waters was similar among blue holes, while turbidity and water color varied. Presence of hydrogen sulfide and reduced iron in and below the halocline indicate reducing conditions in all stratified blue holes. The biota above the halocline was also similar among blue holes with a few taxa dominating the phytoplankton community, and the zooplankton community consisting of copepods and rotifers. The Bahamas mosquitofish ( Gambusia hubbsi ) was present in all investigated blue holes, often accompanied by other small planktivorous fish, while the piscivorous bigmouth sleeper ( Gobiomorus dormitor ) was only present in some of the blue holes. Our field study reinforces that inland blue holes are highly interesting for biogeochemical research, and provide naturally replicated systems for evolutionary studies. method (NPOC). Fe, Mn, Al, Si and TP concentrations were analyzed with ICP-OES (Optima 8300; Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA), while SO 4 2 – , NO 3 – and PO 4 3 – concentrations were analyzed using Ion chromatography (816 Advanced Compact IC; Metrohm, Herisau, Switzerland). For metal analysis samples were acidified (1 % HNO 3 ) 24 hours prior to analysis.","PeriodicalId":55137,"journal":{"name":"Fundamental and Applied Limnology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9000,"publicationDate":"2020-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"12","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Fundamental and Applied Limnology","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1127/fal/2020/1330","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"LIMNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 12
Abstract
: While lake systems in temperate regions have been extensively studied, tropical and subtropical systems have received less attention. Here, we describe the water chemistry and biota of ten inland blue holes on Andros Island, The Bahamas, representative of the morphological, abiotic, and biotic variation among Androsian inland blue holes. The majority of the studied blue holes were vertically stratified with oxic freshwater overlying anoxic saline groundwater of marine origin. Water chemistry (e.g. total phosphorus and nitrogen) in shallow waters was similar among blue holes, while turbidity and water color varied. Presence of hydrogen sulfide and reduced iron in and below the halocline indicate reducing conditions in all stratified blue holes. The biota above the halocline was also similar among blue holes with a few taxa dominating the phytoplankton community, and the zooplankton community consisting of copepods and rotifers. The Bahamas mosquitofish ( Gambusia hubbsi ) was present in all investigated blue holes, often accompanied by other small planktivorous fish, while the piscivorous bigmouth sleeper ( Gobiomorus dormitor ) was only present in some of the blue holes. Our field study reinforces that inland blue holes are highly interesting for biogeochemical research, and provide naturally replicated systems for evolutionary studies. method (NPOC). Fe, Mn, Al, Si and TP concentrations were analyzed with ICP-OES (Optima 8300; Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA), while SO 4 2 – , NO 3 – and PO 4 3 – concentrations were analyzed using Ion chromatography (816 Advanced Compact IC; Metrohm, Herisau, Switzerland). For metal analysis samples were acidified (1 % HNO 3 ) 24 hours prior to analysis.
期刊介绍:
Fundamental and Applied Limnology is an international journal for freshwater research in the widest sense, including problems of marine biology and brackish water research. Papers dealing with ecological topics are especially welcome in association with experimental or physiological studies. All papers published in this journal are subject to peer review.