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RESEARCH ARTICLE

The potential of benthic iron and phosphorus fluxes to support the growth of a bloom forming toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula, Moreton Bay, Australia

Peter Hanington A C , Andrew Rose B and Ron Johnstone A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Queensland, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

B Southern Cross GeoScience, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: pjhanington@gmail.com

Marine and Freshwater Research 67(12) 1918-1927 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15219
Submitted: 16 February 2016  Accepted: 28 October 2015   Published: 5 January 2016

Abstract

Lyngbya majuscula is a bloom-forming toxic marine cyanobacterium. Most research on L. majuscula growth in Moreton Bay has focussed on water column supplies of iron and phosphorus with little consideration of benthic sources and supply. This study investigates the potential for sandy sediments in a shallow, well mixed subtropical embayment (Deception Bay, Moreton Bay, Australia) to supply iron and phosphorus for L. majuscula growth after significant benthic community change following a major flood event. Measurements of benthic oxygen, iron and nutrient fluxes were obtained by incubating intact sediment cores sampled from Deception Bay. Results suggest that post-flood sediment communities are capable of supplying >1300% of daily L. majuscula Fe requirements and up to 9.2% of daily P demands, suggesting that L. majuscula growth in Deception Bay is likely to be P limited. The benthic release of PO43– and FeII only occurred after water column DO became depleted below 3 mg L–1. This study suggests that the benthic release of PO43– and FeII could support the initiation and growth of L. majuscula blooms in Deception Bay.

Additional keywords: benthic community change, Deception Bay, flood, sediment hypoxia.


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