Spatial and temporal distribution of microzooplankton in small tidal creeks of North Inlet estuary,

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Spatial and temporal distribution of
microzooplankton in small tidal creeks of North
Inlet estuary, SC.
Wetz, M., and E. Koepfler Marine Science
Department, Coastal Carolina University,
Conway, SC 29526.
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Methods
Microzooplankton abundances were studied from
March through July,1998, in 10 creeks of the
North Inlet Estuary, SC. Along with the
micro-zooplankton, chlorophyll a, representing
the phytoplankton community, phototrophic flagella
te, and bacterial abundances were measured for
each creek near the time of the four samplings.
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Background Information

• Microbial loop paradigm
• Role of ciliates and heterotrophic
• flagellates
• -Grazers of primary and bacterial production
• -Links to higher trophic levels
• -Agents of nutrient remineralization

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Heterotrophic flagellate (15 microns)
Ciliate (85 microns)
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Microbial biovolumes in relation to oyster effect

• Biovolume total
• -oysters
• Pflag 2502086 28.7
• Hflag 5832433 66.8
• Cil(lt20) 249946 2.9
• Cil(gt20) 146488 1.7
• Total biovolume 8730953
• oysters
• Pflag 1692488 20.5
• Hflag 6067476 73.6
• Cil(lt20) 334556 4.1
• Cil(gt20) 153191 1.9
• Total biovolume 8247711

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Discussion
Seasonal trend in abundance - related to
prey (phytoplankton bacteria) Insignificant
spatial trend Dominance of heterotrophic
flagellates -non microbial grazing -high
organic substrate CN ratio (low bacterial
growth efficiency) Future work -oyster effects
on flagellates -grazing of lt20um ciliates
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Acknowledgements

• REU/ NSF Oyster Reef Study
• Dr. Eric Koepfler and Dr. Alan Lewitus
• for guidance
• Ken Hayes, Paul Kenny, Bonnie Willis
• and Leah Gregory for assistance