Spatial Analysis of Plankton Community and Nutrients in Coastal Environment of Mozambique
Abstract
Coastal hotspots for biodiversity are driven by a delicate balance between the nutrients and primary producers which are established through the biogeochemistry of the coastal system. The coastal area of Praia do Tofo, Mozambique has been identified as a regional hotspot for large planktivorous species, notably Rhincodon typus (whale shark), Manta alfredi (reef manta), and Manta birostris (giant manta), which are sighted in the area year around. As Mozambique continues to develop, human activities such as agriculture, aquaculture, and mining are beginning to negatively impact the coastal ecosystem, at the same time little is known about the current state of the plankton community or drivers associated with the basal food web dynamics. Our study focused on plankton community diversity and chemical drivers within the region Praia do Tofo, Mozambique. Trichodesmium sp., a nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria, dominated areas in the southern portion of the region, suggesting nitrogen limitation within the area. While, the northern region was dominated by smaller zooplankton with a lower nutritional value. Based on physical and chemical characteristics of the area, the northern region has the potential to be impacted by increased coastal eutrophication first within the region, suggesting a potential shift in the plankton community that could have significant impacts on the higher trophic levels. Additional findings will be presented on the nitrogen, phosphorous, iron, and silica of the region and zooplankton community.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMOS21F1629K
- Keywords:
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- 4899 General or miscellaneous;
- OCEANOGRAPHY: BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL