Temporal Dynamics of South End Tidal Creek (Sapelo Island, Georgia) Bacterial Communities

Abstract

Bacterial community dynamics in South End tidal creek, Sapelo Island, GA, were studied over a 74-h, five-tidal-cycle period. Observations were made hourly for the first consecutive 24 hours, every 3 hours on the second day, and every 6 hours on the third day. Tide most strongly influenced bacterial community composition (high-tide versus low-tide community analysis of similarities, R = 0.41, P < 0.03). Dissolved oxygen concentration and conductivity were important proximate drivers. However, after accounting for tide and environmental variables colinear with tide, cumulative time became more important in describing community variation. In-stream physical processes, including particulate suspension and sedimentation, may explain tide-associated trends in the bacterial community composition observed.