Effect of temperature on light-limited growth of the harmful diatom Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg, a causative organism in the discoloration of Porphyra thalli

The diatom Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg is one of the harmful diatoms which indirectly cause, through nutrient depletion, discoloration of Porphyra thalli. The effect of temperature on light-limited growth of E. zodiacus was examined at 13 irradiance levels (5–350 μmol m−2 s−1) in combination with five temperatures (8.0–25.0 °C). The results showed that all the parameters of growth-irradiance curves, such as the maximum growth rate (μm), half saturation constant (Ks), threshold value of irradiance (I0) and saturation irradiance for growth (S), increased with increasing temperature. On the basis of the relationship between temperature and growth-irradiance curves and seasonal fluctuation of the light environment in Harima-Nada, the effect of irradiance on the population dynamics of E. zodiacus during the period from October to March was evaluated using two indices, depth of the threshold irradiance for growth (Dt) and depth where a half of its maximum growth rate is attained (Dk). Dt and Dk remained almost stable from October to December, but gradually increased in early March. This indicates that the range of depth at which E. zodiacus was able to grow increased markedly in early spring when E. zodiacus blooms in Harima-Nada. As the vegetative cells of E. zodiacus tend to distribute in relatively deeper water layers, where growth is limited by irradiance, the increase in the depth range over which E. zodiacus is able to grow is concluded to be an important factor allowing development of its blooms.