The potential impact of bacterial communities exposed to crude oil and light on the growth of the harmful algal blooming species Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae)

Phytoplankton blooms have been occasionally observed to occur after oil spills, and changes in bacterial communities (BC) associated with phytoplankton are known to affect phytoplankton growth. In the present study, to examine the effects of BC exposed to crude oil on phytoplankton blooms, established free-living (FL) BC in Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae) culture were collected and then exposed to crude oil under light or dark conditions. These exposed FL BC were then added to K. brevis culture to investigate the effects on growth rate of this dinoflagellate. Enhanced growth of K. brevis was observed following addition of FL (24.7%) BC exposed to crude oil and light. Whereas BC grown with crude oil in the dark did not enhance growth, and BC without treatment showed a slight growth inhibition (13–15%) of K. brevis. In addition, the growth-promoting effect had a positive correlation with the inoculated bacterial density; the treatment with a higher (~1.5 times) density of FL (42.9%) BC that were exposed to crude oil and light showed an increase in the growth-promoting effect. Taken together, BC exposed to crude oil and light may play an important role in enhancement of K. brevis growth.