Bacterioplankton dynamics along the gradient from highly eutrophic Pearl River Estuary to oligotrophic northern South China Sea in wet season: Implication for anthropogenic inputs

Bacterioplankton abundance (BA) and biomass (BB) from the eutrophic Pearl River Estuary (PRE) to the oligotrophic northern South China Sea (NSCS) were studied in the wet season. BA was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in PRE (12.51 ± 3.52 × 108 cells L−1), than in the continental shelf neritic province (CSNP, 4.95 ± 2.21 × 108 cells L−1) and in the deep oceanic province (OP, 3.16 ± 1.56 × 108 cells L−1). Nutrient-replete PRE waters (DIN > 100 μM and PO4 > 1 μM) resulted in high chl a and BB, whereas nutrient-depleted offshore waters (DIN <5 μM and PO4 < 0.5 μM) had low biomass. Temperature (>26 °C) was not the controlling factor of BA. BB was significantly correlated with chl a biomass both in PRE and NSCS. The bacteria to phytoplankton biomass (BB/PB) ratio increased clearly along the gradient from near-shore PRE (0.15) to offshore CSNP (0.93) and deep OP (2.75), indicating the important role of small cells in the open ocean compared to estuarine and coastal zones.

Research highlights► BA distribution was governed by anthropogenic nutrients input by PR discharge. ► BA was significant higher in PRE than CSNP and OP. ► High sea surface temperature was not a controlling factor of BA. ► BB/PB ratio increased along the gradient from PRE to CSNP and OP.