Bi-decadal changes in nutrient concentrations and ratios in marine coastal ecosystems: the case of the Arcachon bay, France

Type Article
Date 2022-02
Language English
Author(s) Lheureux A.1, David V1, Del Amo Y.1, Soudant DominiqueORCID2, Auby IsabelleORCID4, Ganthy FlorianORCID4, Blanchet H.1, Cordier M-A.1, Costes L.1, Ferreira S.1, Mornet L.1, Nowaczyk A.1, Parra M.1, D'Amico Florence4, Gouriou Laure4, Meteigner ClaireORCID4, Oger-Jeanneret Helene4, Rigouin Loic4, Rumebe Myriam4, Tournaire Marie-Pierre4, Trut Florence4, Trut Gilles4, Savoye N.1, 3
Affiliation(s) 1 : Université de Bordeaux-CNRS, UMR 5805, Environnement Paléoenvironnement Océaniques et Côtiers (EPOC), 2 Rue du Professeur Jolyet, 33120 Arcachon, France
2 : Ifremer Nantes, Valorisation de l’Information pour la Gestion Intégrée Et la Surveillance (VIGIES), 44311 Cedex 03, Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France
3 : Sorbonne Université, MNHN, UNICAEN, UA, CNRS, IRD, UMR 7208, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), 61 rue Buffon, CP 53, 75005 Paris, France
4 : Ifremer, LER/AR, 1 Quai du Commandant Silhouette, 33120 Arcachon, France
Source Progress In Oceanography (0079-6611) (Elsevier BV), 2022-02 , Vol. 201 , P. 102740 (19p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.pocean.2022.102740
WOS© Times Cited 1
Keyword(s) Nutrients, Global change, Seagrass regression, Coastal ecosystem, Arcachon bay
Abstract

Large amounts of nutrients have been released to the coastal ecosystems during the 20th century. Since then, management policies have been implemented and these amounts decreased in the economically developed countries. We examined the bi-decadal changes in nutrients (nitrate + nitrite, ammonium, orthophosphate and silicic acid) in the Arcachon bay, a semi-enclosed lagoon that hosts one of the largest but declining seagrass meadow in Europe. Seven sites have been sampled for nutrients and biogeochemical parameters during twenty years at low and/or high tide. In addition, continental and climatic data as well as hydro-climatic indices were used. Dynamic linear models were used to assess the bi-decadal changes in nutrient concentrations and ratios, their seasonality, and the bi-decadal changes of their potential drivers. Partial least square path modeling were used to investigate the relationships between potential abiotic drivers and nutrients. During the study period, the concentration of N and Si nutrients increased whereas the concentration of orthophosphate decreased, leading to deep changes in nutrient ratios. Clear relationships between abiotic drivers (local climate, continental inputs and the bay hydrodynamism) and N, P and Si nutrients were highlighted. However, the bi-decadal change in nutrient concentrations and ratios was mainly ascribed to the seagrass meadow decline through direct (less nutrient consumption) and indirect (increase in phytoplankton biomass) processes. Changes in temperature and wind direction may also influenced the nutrients concentrations through processes of remineralisation and flushing time, respectively. This study illustrates (1) the top-down control of seagrass on the nutrients concentrations and stoichiometry, and (2) the competition between primary producers (seagrass vs phytoplankton) for their nutrients resource.

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Lheureux A., David V, Del Amo Y., Soudant Dominique, Auby Isabelle, Ganthy Florian, Blanchet H., Cordier M-A., Costes L., Ferreira S., Mornet L., Nowaczyk A., Parra M., D'Amico Florence, Gouriou Laure, Meteigner Claire, Oger-Jeanneret Helene, Rigouin Loic, Rumebe Myriam, Tournaire Marie-Pierre, Trut Florence, Trut Gilles, Savoye N. (2022). Bi-decadal changes in nutrient concentrations and ratios in marine coastal ecosystems: the case of the Arcachon bay, France. Progress In Oceanography, 201, 102740 (19p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2022.102740 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00747/85861/