Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 154-162.doi: 10.11978/2022002CSTR: 32234.14.2022002

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in surface sediments on the Dongshan Bay, Fujian province, China

WANG Zhaohui1(), ZHANG Yuning1, WANG Wenting1, XIE Changliang1, CHEN Jiazhuo1, ZHENG Hu1, WANG Junxing2()   

  1. 1. Department of Ecology, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    2. Huizhou Marine Technology Center, Huizhou 516003, China
  • Received:2022-02-12 Revised:2022-03-04 Online:2022-07-10 Published:2022-08-04
  • Contact: WANG Junxing E-mail:twzh@jnu.edu.cn;wangjunxing888@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Research Program of China(2018FY100200);National Natural Science Foundation of China(42076141)

Abstract:

Surface sediments were collected on the Dongshan Bay of Fujian Province China in November 2016. Dinoflagellate cysts were analyzed in the sediments with a particular focus on the distribution of toxic and harmful dinoflagellate cysts. The contents of biogenic elements were examined to reveal the relationships between cysts and biogenic elements. A total of 22 cyst taxa were identified, including 14 autotrophic and 8 heterotrophic taxa. Cysts of Protoperidinium dominated in the sediments. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') ranged from 1.70 to 2.38, and Pielou’s evenness index (J) ranged between 0.64 and 0.84. Cyst concentrations ranged from 70.6 to 136.4 cysts·g-1, with an average of 107.2 cysts·g-1. Cyst concentrations were lower in the Zhangjiang estuary and Bachimen area. The high percentages of cysts of heterotrophic dinoflagellates (averagely 75.5%) suggested the high primary productivity and eutrophication level on the Dongshan Bay. Notably, cysts of seven toxic and/or harmful algal bloom (HAB) species were identified in this study, including cysts of the paralytic shellfish toxin (PSP) producers Alexandrium ostenfeldii and A. catenella/tamarense, the yessotoxin (YTX) producers Gonyaulax spinifera, the potential azaspiracid (AZP) producer Azadinium sp., the ichthyotoxic species Polykrikos hartmannii, and the bloom species Barrufeta bravensis and Scrippsiella acuminata. Cysts of the HAB species generally occurred in small numbers, however, high numbers of cysts of G. spinifera in some stations need to be concerned.

Key words: Dinoflagellate cysts, Dongshan Bay, sediments, biogenic elements, harmful algal bloom

CLC Number: 

  • P735.53