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Phytoplankton growth conditions during autumn and winter in the Irminger Sea, North Atlantic

Phytoplankton growth conditions during autumn and winter in the Irminger Sea, North Atlantic
Phytoplankton growth conditions during autumn and winter in the Irminger Sea, North Atlantic
hysical and chemical properties of the water column, along with meteorological conditions were examined for their relationship with phytoplankton biomass in the Irminger Sea during late autumn and early winter. Data were collected during 2 cruises to the region in November and December 2001 and November 2002. Phytoplankton biomass was approximated by (chl a) concentrations within the water column. When examined during autumn and winter alone, the Irminger Sea was suitably described as one biogeochemical region responding to varying meteorological forcing. Hydrographic differences within the region were not observed to have a significant effect on phytoplankton growth during this period. Strong correlations with latitude were seen in chl a concentrations, physical conditions (including mixed layer depth) and meteorological forcing (including net heat flux). Variability in autumn/winter phytoplankton growth conditions appears to be driven by light limitation modulated by meteorological forcing. The temporal and spatial scales of locations sampled in 2001 represent a progression in the physical and biological conditions from late autumn to early winter. Along this ‘virtual transect’, a baseline value of approximately 0.1 mg m–3 is seen in the mean chl a concentrations within the mixed layer. We postulate that convection provides a mechanism for reduction of net losses of phytoplankton, by helping to keep phytoplankton within the mixed layer. Under such conditions, a deeper and therefore more accurate estimation of the critical depth would be valid. Evidence of the extended maintenance of phytoplankton within the mixed layer is presented in the form of the relative dominances of different phytoplankton groups.
0171-8630
47-61
Ward, B.A.
9063af30-e344-4626-9470-8db7c1543d05
Waniek, J.J.
749b55a4-c736-4961-a522-37645dd73b45
Ward, B.A.
9063af30-e344-4626-9470-8db7c1543d05
Waniek, J.J.
749b55a4-c736-4961-a522-37645dd73b45

Ward, B.A. and Waniek, J.J. (2007) Phytoplankton growth conditions during autumn and winter in the Irminger Sea, North Atlantic. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 334, 47-61. (doi:10.3354/meps334047).

Record type: Article

Abstract

hysical and chemical properties of the water column, along with meteorological conditions were examined for their relationship with phytoplankton biomass in the Irminger Sea during late autumn and early winter. Data were collected during 2 cruises to the region in November and December 2001 and November 2002. Phytoplankton biomass was approximated by (chl a) concentrations within the water column. When examined during autumn and winter alone, the Irminger Sea was suitably described as one biogeochemical region responding to varying meteorological forcing. Hydrographic differences within the region were not observed to have a significant effect on phytoplankton growth during this period. Strong correlations with latitude were seen in chl a concentrations, physical conditions (including mixed layer depth) and meteorological forcing (including net heat flux). Variability in autumn/winter phytoplankton growth conditions appears to be driven by light limitation modulated by meteorological forcing. The temporal and spatial scales of locations sampled in 2001 represent a progression in the physical and biological conditions from late autumn to early winter. Along this ‘virtual transect’, a baseline value of approximately 0.1 mg m–3 is seen in the mean chl a concentrations within the mixed layer. We postulate that convection provides a mechanism for reduction of net losses of phytoplankton, by helping to keep phytoplankton within the mixed layer. Under such conditions, a deeper and therefore more accurate estimation of the critical depth would be valid. Evidence of the extended maintenance of phytoplankton within the mixed layer is presented in the form of the relative dominances of different phytoplankton groups.

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Submitted date: 11 August 2005
Published date: 26 March 2007

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 44023
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/44023
ISSN: 0171-8630
PURE UUID: a2ba9a15-becf-40f2-bd7a-1bf1c4dcf67e

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Date deposited: 07 Feb 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 08:59

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Author: B.A. Ward
Author: J.J. Waniek

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