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Biogeochemical and microbial community responses to anthropogenic nutrient inputs into the Solent
Lukas Marx1, Michelle Hale1, B B Cael2
1School of the Environment, Geology and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|April 17, 2025
Summary
Coastal waters in the Solent experience year-round nutrient pollution but maintain healthy phytoplankton blooms. Continuous monitoring is crucial for understanding ecosystem dynamics and long-term variability.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Oceanography
- Biogeochemical cycling
Background:
- Coastal waters provide essential ecosystem services.
- Understanding responses to climate change and nutrient pollution is vital.
- Pico- and nanoplankton drive biogeochemical cycles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To monitor the pico- and nanoplanktonic community in the Solent.
- To assess the impact of nutrient pollution and environmental fluctuations.
- To understand ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling.
Main Methods:
- Year-long monitoring from May 2021 to May 2022.
- Analysis of pico- and nanoplankton communities.
- Quantification of nutrient influxes (nitrate and phosphate).
Main Results:
- The Solent receives significant annual nutrient influxes (45.4 ± 14.8 t NO3-, 2.5 ± 0.5 t PO43-).
- Nutrient pollution and environmental fluctuations did not impede phytoplankton succession.
- Planktonic blooms were observed in spring and late summer, even during a warming event.
Conclusions:
- Continuous monitoring of nutrient pollution sources is essential.
- The Solent's ecosystem demonstrates resilience to current pollution levels.
- Understanding long-term trends and variability in ecosystem functioning is critical.
Keywords:
Anthropogenic pressureBiogeochemical cyclingClimate changeCoastal oceanNutrient pollutionPrimary productionMore Related Videos
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