Hydrological Conditions Control P Loading and Aquatic Metabolism in an Oligotrophic, Subtropical Estuary |
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| Authors: | Gregory R Koch Daniel L Childers Peter A Staehr René M Price Stephen E Davis and Evelyn E Gaiser |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;(2) School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;(3) Department of Marine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;(4) Department of Earth and Environment and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;(5) Everglades Foundation, 18001 Old Cutler Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157, USA |
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| Abstract: | Using high-resolution measures of aquatic ecosystem metabolism and water quality, we investigated the importance of hydrological
inputs of phosphorus (P) on ecosystem dynamics in the oligotrophic, P-limited coastal Everglades. Due to low nutrient status
and relatively large inputs of terrestrial organic matter, we hypothesized that the ponds in this region would be strongly
net heterotrophic and that pond gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R) would be the greatest during the “dry,”
euhaline estuarine season that coincides with increased P availability. Results indicated that metabolism rates were consistently
associated with elevated upstream total phosphorus and salinity concentrations. Pulses in aquatic metabolism rates were coupled
to the timing of P supply from groundwater upwelling as well as a potential suite of hydrobiogeochemical interactions. We
provide evidence that freshwater discharge has observable impacts on aquatic ecosystem function in the oligotrophic estuaries
of the Florida Everglades by controlling the availability of P to the ecosystem. Future water management decisions in South
Florida must include the impact of changes in water delivery on downstream estuaries. |
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