Model simulations of conditions suitable for the establishment of Enteromorpha sp. (Chlorophyta) macroalgal mats

Abstract

Floating mats of algae regularly appear in shallow bays in many coastal areas around the world. This paper presents a model that simulates the growth of ephemeral macroalgae in shallow bays, and interprets the growth according to physical and biological prerequisites. Model runs emphasized the role of internal nutrient cycling to provide the enhanced nutrient availability needed to ensure abundant growth of macroalgae. Thus, the presence of macroalgae, as well as long water residence times, influenced the nutrient cycling in the bay to support further growth of macroalgal mats.

Keywords:

• Enteromorpha
• macroalgae
• model
• nitrogen
• shallow bay

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Anders Stigebrandt and Björn Sjöberg for well-founded criticism and constructive help throughout the work. Thanks are also due to Bo Gustavsson, Nils Kajrup, and Hans Olsson for providing hydrographic and meteorological data. The comments from two anonymous referees were very useful for improving the manuscript. This work was financially supported by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (MISTRA) through MARE – Marine Research on Eutrophication – and the Faculty of Science at Göteborg University.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jörgen Öberg

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark