Hydrography and biochemical indicators of microplankton biomass in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) during January 1994 |
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Authors: | E Berdalet Dolors Vaqué Laura Arin Marta Estrada Miquel Alcaraz José A Fernández |
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Institution: | (1) Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC P. Joan de Borbó,s/n E-08039 Barcelona, Spain fax: (343) 221 7340 E-mail: berdalet@icm.csic.es, ES;(2) Universidad de Málaga, Facultad de Ciencias Fisiología Vegetal Campus de Teatinos s/n E-29071 Málaga, Spain, ES |
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Abstract: | The relationships between hydrography and spatial distribution of several biochemical indicators of microplankton biomass
(chlorophyll, protein and ATP) were studied in an area covering the eastern part of the Bransfield Strait and the northern
part of the Weddell Sea, during Antarctic summer (January 1994). Four hydrographic zones were identified: (a) the northern
part of the Bransfield Strait, covered by waters of Bellings- hausen Sea origin; (b) a Weddell Sea water mass that affected
most of the study area; (c) the Weddell-Scotia Confluence waters, observed north of Elephant Island; and (d) waters influenced
by ice melting, found towards the southeastern part of the sampled area. The highest values of biomass indicators (chlorophyll
a, ATP and protein) were found in the zones affected by ice-melting processes and in waters from the Bellingshausen Sea. The
lowest values of all biochemical parameters were found in the Weddell Sea and in the Weddell-Scotia Confluence waters. A high
variability in the hydrographic structure and the distribution of biochemical indicators was observed. The degree of stabilization
of the water column, the depth of the upper mixed layer and the grazing pressure of herbivorous zooplankton played a major
role in the development, accumulation and spatial variability of microplankton biomass.
Received: 15 August 1995/Accepted: 18 February 1996 |
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