From mother to daughter generation of Alexandrium tamarense cysts at a hot spot in the eastern coast of Geoje Island, South Korea.

Abstract

Spring blooms of Alexandrium tamarense have been familiar events in the coastal waters of Korea. A lot of studies about the bloom have been followed to clarify the blooming mechanism. Previous studies had the limitation providing the information depending on specific subjects or partial aspects within the whole life cycle. It means there is little information on consecutive life stages of Alexandrium tamarense. In this study, a journey from the mother stage of cyst population to the next cyst generation was tracking. A hot spot of the cyst deposition of Alexandrium tamarense (Group I) was searched from the eastern coast of Geoje Island in South Korea. Changes of the cyst abundance and germination ability in the sediment and the vegetative cell abundance and encystment in the water column were intensively monitored at the hot spot.ation depending on specific subjects or partial aspects within the whole life cycle. It means there is little information on consecutive life stages of Alexandrium tamarense. In this study, a journey from the mother stage of cyst population to the next cyst generation was tracking. A hot spot of the cyst deposition of Alexandrium tamarense (Group I) was searched from the eastern coast of Geoje Island in South Korea. Changes of the cyst abundance and germination ability in the sediment and the vegetative cell abundance and encystment in the water column were intensively monitored at the hot spot.