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Seasonal dynamic of diazotrophic activity and environmental variables affecting it in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea
Liepina-Leimane, I.; Barda, I.; Jurgensone, I.; Labucis, A.; Suhareva, N.; Kozlova, V.; Maderniece, A.; Aigars, J. (2022). Seasonal dynamic of diazotrophic activity and environmental variables affecting it in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 98(12): 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiac132
In: FEMS Microbiology Ecology. Federation of European Microbiological Societies: Amsterdam. ISSN 0168-6496; e-ISSN 1574-6941, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Ralfs ex Bornet & Flahault, 1886 [WoRMS]; Cyanobacteria [WoRMS]
    ANE, Baltic [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Aphanizomenon flosaquae; Baltic Sea; N2-fixation; diazotrophic cyanobacteria; heterocysts

Authors  Top 
  • Liepina-Leimane, I.
  • Barda, I.
  • Jurgensone, I.
  • Labucis, A.
  • Suhareva, N., more
  • Kozlova, V.
  • Maderniece, A.
  • Aigars, J.

Abstract
    The semi-enclosed Baltic Sea experiences regular summer blooms of diazotrophic cyanobacteria. Previously, it has been conclusively demonstrated that in open nitrogen-limited parts of the Baltic Sea, cyanobacteria successfully fix atmospheric N2. At the same time, diazotrophic activity is still poorly understood in Baltic Sea sub-regions where nitrogen and phosphorus are co-limiting primary production. To address this gap in research, we used the15 N tracer method for in situ incubations and measured the N2-fixation rate of heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria and picocyanobacteria in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea, from April to September. Physicochemical variables and phytoplankton community composition were also determined. Our results show that the dominant species of cyanobacteria for this region (Aphanizomenon flosaquae) was present in the phytoplankton community during most of the study period. We also establish that the N2-fixation rate has a strong correlation with the proportion of A. flosaquae biomass containing heterocysts (r = 0.80). Our findings highlight the importance of a heterocyst-focused approach for an accurate diazotrophic activity evaluation that is one of the foundations for future management and protection of the Baltic Sea.

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