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The Korean Society of Phycology (한국조류학회(藻類))
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Shift in benthic diatom community structure and salinity thresholds in a hypersaline environment of solar saltern, Korea

  • Bae, Hanna (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University) ;
  • Park, Jinsoon (Department of Convergence Study on the Ocean Science and Technology & Department of Ocean Science, Korea Maritime and Ocean University) ;
  • Ahn, Hyojin (Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University) ;
  • Khim, Jong Seong (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2020.10.26
  • Accepted : 2020.12.04
  • Published : 2020.12.15
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Abstract

The community dynamics of benthic diatoms in the hypersaline environment are investigated to advance our understanding how salinity impacts marine life. Diatoms were sampled in the two salterns encompassing salt Ponds, ditches, and seawater reservoirs (n = 11), along the salinity gradient (max = 324 psu), and nearby tidal flats (n = 2). The floral assemblages and distributions across sites and stations showed great variations, with a total of 169 identified taxa. First, not surprisingly, higher diversity of benthic diatoms was found at natural tidal flats than salterns. The saltern diatoms generally showed salinity dependent distributions with distinct spatial changes in species composition and dominant taxa. Biota-environment and principal component analysis confirmed that salinity, mud content, and total nitrogen were key factors influencing the overall benthic community structure. Some dominant species, e.g., Nitzschia scalpelliformis and Achnanthes sp. 1, showed salinity tolerance / preference. The number of diatom species at salinity of >100 psu reduced over half and no diatoms were found at maximum salinity of 324 psu. The highest salinity for the observed live diatoms was 205 psu, however, a simple regression indicated a theoretical salinity threshold of ~300 psu on the survival. Finally, the indicator species were identified along the salinity gradient in salterns as well as natural tidal flats. Overall, high species numbers, varying taxa, and euryhaline distributions of saltern diatoms collectively reflected a dynamic saltern ecosystem. The present study would provide backgrounds for biodiversity monitoring of ecologically important microalgal producers in some unique hypersaline environment, and elsewhere.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the projects entitled "Ecosystem-Based Analysis and Decision-Making Support System Development for Marine Spatial Planning [grant number 20170325]" funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea (MOF), South Korea granted to Jong Seong Khim.

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