Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance Along the Pacific Coast of Canada, 1979

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Phytoplankton Species Composition and Abundance
Along the Pacific Coast of Canada, 1979 - 1989
Volume 1: 1979 - 1984
J.R. Forbes and R.E. Waters
Institute of Ocean Sciences
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Sidney, B.C.
1993
Canadian Data Report of
Hydrography and Ocean Sciences
No. 117
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Canadian Data Report of
Hydrography and Ocean Sciences
No. 117
1993
PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE
ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST OF CANADA, 1979- 1989
VOLUME 1: 1979 -1984
J.R. Forbes and R.E.Waters
..
Institute ofOcean Sciences
Department ofFisheries and Oceans
Sidney, B.C.
ii
Authors' addresses:
J.R.Forbes
DepartmentofFisheries and Oceans
Institute of OceanSciences
P.O.Box6000
Sidney, B.C., Canada, V8L 4B2
R~E. Waters
BOManorWay
OnslowVillage, Guildford
ux
Surrey, GU25RR,
C MinistryofSupplyand Services Canada-1993
Cat.No. Fs 97-16/117 ISSN 0711-6721 ...
Correct citationfor this publication:
Forbes, J.R. andR.E.Waters. 1993.Phytoplanktonspecies compositionandabundancealongthePacific coast
ofCanada, 1979-1989.Volume1:1979- 1984.Can. DataRep. Hydrogr. OceanSci.117 (Vol.1): 212p.
iii
CONTENTS
Abstract / Resume IV
Acknowledgements V
Introduction 1
1
Methods
1.Samplingstrategies andnavigation
2.CTD/rosettecasts and discretewatersamples
3.Seawaterloop samples
4.Phytoplanktontaxonomicand abundancesamples
5.Salinity
6. Chlorophylla
7.Inorganicnutrients
8. Particulateorganiccarbon andnitrogen
13
Units
14
Noteson thetaxonomy
17
References
19
Taxonomicreferences consulted
Data (bycruise)
25
79-04
31
79-05
80-05 37
80-08 53
81-05 81
99
81-AA
103
81-07
82-01 115
125
82-PB
82-02 133
83-02 1~3
167
83-04
193
84-02
205
84-SI
- -- -----------------
iv
Abstract
Forbes,J.R., andR.E. Waters. 1993. Phytoplankton species composition and abundance along the Pacific coast
ofCanada, 1979:-1989.Volume1:1979-1984.Can.DataRep. Hydrogr. OceanSci.117(Vol. 1):212p.
Phytoplankton species composition and abundance data from samples collected in coastal waters of British
Columbia from 1979 to 1989are presented. Data from two cruises in the subarctic Pacific Ocean are also
provided. We include data on associated water properties (salinity, temperature, chlorophyll, inorganic
nutrients, particulate organic nitrogen and particulate organic carbon) as available. R.esults for 1979 to 1984
and details of sampling and analytical procedures are given in volume 1. Results from 1985 to 1989 are
presentedinvolume 2.
Keywords: phytoplankton,taxonomy,distribution, water properties
Resume
Forbes,J.R., andR.E. Waters. 1993.Phytoplanktonspecies composition and abundancealong the Pacific coast
ofCanada, 1979- 1989.Volume 1:1979-1984.Can.DataRep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci.117(Vol.1): 212p.
On presente des donnees sur la composition en especes et sur l'abondance du phytoplancton resultant de
a ny
l'analyse d'echantillons preleves dans les eaux co'tieres de la Colombie-Britannique de 1979 1989.. a
egalement des donnees recueillis au cours de deux expeditions dans la region subarctique de I'ocean
Pacifique. S'ajoutent Ies donnees existantes sur les proprietes connexes de l'eau (salinite, temperature,
teneur en chlorophylle,matieres nutritivesinorganique, azote organique enparticules et carbone organique en
particules). Dans Ie volume1, ondonne lesresultats desanalyses de1979111984ainsi que des details sur Ies
a
methodes d'echantillonnage et d'analyse. Les resultats des analyses de 1985 1989sont presentes dans Ie
volume2.
Mot-des: phytoplancton, taxonomic,distribution, proprietes de l'eau
v
'Acknowledgements
We thank fellowtaxonomists who contributed to the data set: Merelene Austin, Judy Akerman and Rowan
Haigh. Leslie Brown, Patricia Smith and Dr. FJ.R. (Max) Taylor provided assistance with some taxonomic
problems. Access to the Northeast Pacific Culture Collection facilitated work with live material. We also
appreciate the assistance of staff of the Ocean Environment and Fisheries section, along with numerous
students and contractors, who were involvedwithsampling or analysis of associated water samples. Samples
werecollectedfrom the C.S.S.Parizeau, C.S.S.Vector,C.S.S.John P. Tully,CoS.S. Revisor, F.P.V. Walker Rock,
M.V.OceanKingand M.V.Bastion City. We thankpersonnel ofthese vesselsfortheirassistance.
----,------
1
Introduction
The Ocean Environment and Fisheries section of the Institute of Ocean Sciences has been involved in
continuing studies of the control by oceanographic processes of the planktonic ecosystem over the continental
shelf of British Columbia. As part of this work, we have collected phytoplankton samples to determine the
species composition and abundance of the phytoplankton community. In addition, a number of short term
projects have included collection of phytoplankton samples in both nearshore waters and oceanicwaters of the
subarctic Pacific. This report provides detailed data on the abundance and species composition of
photoautotrophicplankton samples collected from 1979to 1989 (VoU: 1979-1984; Vol. 2: 1985-1989),together
withassociatedphysicaland chemical data. Obligately heterotrophictaxa havebeen excluded.
Some of these data have been published previously in conjunction with reports on specific cruises or projects
(Hillet al. 1982a,b, Hill et al. 1983,Denman et al.1985,Forbes et al.1988,Forbes et al. 1990a,b). However,
this report will enable the complete set of data to be archived in one place and available for comparison. In
addition, therehavebeenanumber ofchangesinnomenclatureand correctionstothe data.
Data collected with the phytoplankton samples varied according to changing research objectives. Generally
included were temperature, salinity and chlorophylla. Concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate
plus nitrate), phosphorus (orthophosphate) and silicon (reactive silicate), as well as dissolved oxygen and
radioactivecarbonuptakerates, werefrequently determined.
Methods
1. Sampling strategies and navigation
Our sampling has been concentrated off the west coast of Vancouver Island and in the Strait of Georgia
{Fig.1),with less dense coveragein othercoastal waters. Fewsamples have beentaken in coastal inlets or near
shore. Exceptionsinclude several samples takeninAliceArm on the extremenorthcoast inAugust1981:afew
samples collected in Saanich Inlet on southeast Vancouver Island at various times, and an extensive set of
samples from Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island acquired in May 1988. Data from two
cruises to Ocean Station P (500 N, 1450 W) in the subarctic Pacific are also included here. Records are
restrictedto themonthsfrom Aprilto October (Table1),with 95% ofsamples takenbetweenMayandAugust.
As noted above, the samples reported here were collected in a variety of projects and for differing goals. In
general, however, where a single sample was obtained at a location, it was collected in the upper mixed layer.
Additionalsampleswere frequentlycollectedwithinand below thepycnocline.
2
The majority of samples were collected from large vessels, with positioning establishedfbyLoran-Cicln near
shoresituations, positioningwas supportedbyradar and, occasionally,visualbearings.
2. CTD/rosette casts and discretewatersamples
Vertical profiles of physical, chemical and biological data were collected with an integrated array of
instruments, mountedina frame attached to a rosette sampler. A microcomputer on the vessel stored the data
and provided real-time display of temperature, salinity and chlorophyll fluorescence. In general, the
instruments in the array were a Guildline model 8701 analog CTD, a Variosens III fluorometer, a Sea Tech
25cmpath length transmissometer to measure beam attenuance, and a Licor 1935Bspherical quantum sensor,
to measure in situ photosynthetically active irradiance. During a typical cast, the instrument package was .
lowered at a rate of0.5to1cm.s'", and the depths to collect water samples were determined from data acquired
on the down cast. The rosette sampler held an array of ten Niskin or Go-Flo bottles. One or more of these
bottles was tripped on the up cast and data from all sensors were sampled and recorded at the time the bottle
closed. Water collected in the bottles was used for discrete samples of one or more of salinity, chlorophylla,
dissolved inorganic nutrients, bacteria, particulateorganic carbonand nitrogen, and phytoplankton identityand
abundance.
The manufacturer of the CTD specifies an accuracy of±O.01° C,with a resolution of 0.003°C for temperature,
an accuracyof±1.25dBar and a resolution of0.25dBar for pressure, and an accuracyof±O.Ol psu for salinity,
with a resolutionof0.OO5psu. .
3. Seawaterloopsamples
Sampleswere collectedfrom vessel seawaterloops in associationwith continuousunderwaymappingoperations
of near surface water properties. Continuous underway data of zooplankton abundance and size categories,
salinity, temperature and chlorophyll fluorescence were collected with a flow-through electronic particle
counting system (EPCS) (Mackas et al. 1981) coupled to temperature, conductivity and fluorescence sensors
(Mackas et al.1980). Waterwas pumpedfrom anominaldepth of1to3m via athrough-hull fitting in the bow
thruster compartment, or from a hose mounted on a strut attached to side of the ship. This type of mapping
was usually performed at night, as the primary objective was to map the horizontal distribution ofvertically
migratingzooplankton.
Periodicdiscrete watersamples were taken from the system outflowfor calibration of the electronicsensors, as
well as supplementary data such as dissolved inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton identity and abundance.
On occasion, bucket samples were also taken from over the side of the ship, to enable comparison of surface
and near-surfacewaterproperties.
4. Phytoplanktontaxonomicandabundancesamples
Phytoplankton samples were collected in vials or bottles of 20 -250mL. Samples were preserved with acidic
Lugol'sfixative (Throndsen1978). Selectedduplicatesamples from oceanic waters were preservedwith neutral
Lugol's fixative, to improveidentificationand quantificationoftaxawith calcareousparts.
Identification and enumeration of taxa was by settling and inverted microscopy (Hasle 1978). Specifically, a
subsample of between 2 and SOmL(usually 10mL) was settled in a settling chamber. Thevolume settled was
chosen to yield between 100and 300 cells or chains of the more abundant medium sizedspecies (chain or cell
3 3
volume 1000 jJ.m - cell volume 10000 jJ.m ) present. In cases of extremely low concentration, successive
sedimentations through a SOmL cylinder into the same 2mL chamber were performed. When cell
concentrations were unacceptably dense, samples were diluted in filtered (O.4~m membrane filter) seawater
containingLugol'ssolution. Whereverpossible a minimum of400cells,chains and colonies was counted.
3
Medium sized, large, rare and exotic species were enumerated from the entire bottom of the settling chamber
at 300X magnification. For species exceeding 200.individuals or colonies,every second, fifth or tenth transect
(for 11f' 11 or 1/ of the chamber respectively) were counted. Smaller species were counted at 312.5X or
5 10
500X( 1 to 1/ or 1/ to 1/ ofthe chamberrespectively) from one or moretransects.
20 2, 57 14
Analytical methods varied slightlyfor samples collected in 1988. In this year, nanoflagellates were counted at
·480Xusing randomfields until a totalof200specimens had been enumerated. Larger specimenswere counted
at 192X using a grid of 45 or 93 coordinates (depending on.cellconcentrations), which effectivelyrepresented
11 or the entirechamberbottom. Forht~gerand rarer species, the entire chamberbottomwas scanned at low
2
power (75.6X).
The species encountered, together with the abbreviations used in the taxonomic tables, are listed in Table 2.
The taxonomicreferences consultedfollowthe listofreferences cited. .
All samples collected in 1979were analysed byM.Austin. Selected samples collected in 1980were analysedby
J. Ackerman, All samples collected in 1988were analysed by R. Haigh. All other samples were analysed by
R.E. Waters.
5.Salinity
Salinity samples were collected in 250mL bottles, which were rinsed three times, capped and stored for later
analysis at the Institute of Ocean Sciences. Salinity samples were analyzed on a Guildline Autosal (model
8400A) salinometer, standardized against IAPSO Normal Standard Seawater (presently prepared by Ocean
Scientific International Ltd., Wormley, Godalming, U.K.). Data are reported in practical salinity units (psu)
(Lewisand Perkin 1978). Precision (pooled variance of replicate samples) of this method is estimated to be
0.005(Macdonald etal.1988).'
6.Chlorophyll a
Extracted chlorophyll a was determined by fluorometry (Parsons et al. 1984). Water samples (25 -250mL)
IF
were filtered onto 25mm diameterWhatman934AH (1979-1984)or GF (1984-1989)glassfiber filters, with
avacuum of <l00mm Hg. Justbefore filtration was completedapproximately ImLof MgC0 suspensionwas
3
added to the sample and the sides of the filter funnel were rinsed with filtered seawater. Chlorophyll was
extracted in 90% aqueous acetone by grinding the filters in a tissue grinder. The extract was clarified by
filtration through a glass fiber filter and the fluorescence measured in a Turner Designs 10 fluorometer. The
sample was acidified with 2 drops of 1.5N HCI and the fluorescence was redetermined after the reading had
stabilized, to obtainaphaeopigmentcorrectionfactor.
Chlorophyll a content was calculated from the equations in Parsons et al. (1984). The fluorometer was
previouslycalibratedagainst a Perkin-ElmerHitachi200spectrophotometerusing standardpreparedfrom pure
crystalline chlorophyll a (Sigma Chemical Co.), Chlorophyll concentrations in the calibration samples were
calculated using the equations of Jeffrey and Humphrey (1975). The mean coefficient of variation of this
methodisestimatedto be 4.9% (Forbeset al.1988).
7.Inorganicnutrients
Samples for the analysis of dissolved nitrate plus nitrite, orthophosphate and reactive silicate were analyzed
using Technicon II Auto-Analyzer instruments. Processing of samples usually involved freezing, for later
analysison shore, but on occasion weanalyzedfresh samplesonboardship.