Distribution of phytoplanktonic parameters in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean during Indigo III Cruise
Goffart, A.; Hecq, J.H. (1988). Distribution of phytoplanktonic parameters in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean during Indigo III Cruise, in: Proceedings of the Belgian National Colloquium on Antarctic Research (Brussels, October 20, 1987). pp. 147-166
In: (1988). Proceedings of the Belgian National Colloquium on Antarctic Research (Brussels, October 20, 1987). Science Policy Office: Brussel. 280 pp., more
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Document type: Conference paper
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| Abstract |
The distribution of chlorophyll-a obtained by HPLC along vertical and horizontal profiles during Indigo I11 cruise in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean was used to correlate the phytoplankton and watermasses patterns. They confirm that the Southern Ocean is not ecologically uniform as is implied by the general term "Antarctic and Subantarctic ecosystem" (Hempel,1985). Highest chlorophyll-a standing crops are associated with the main frontal systems (the Subtropical Convergence, the Antarctic Polar Front and the Antarctic Divergence), In these particular areas, significant amounts of living phytoplankton are found as far as 70 meters deep, suggesting a downwards transport of chlorophyll-a along isopycnals, in relation with the frontal hydrodynamics. In interfrontal areas, chlorophyll-a concentrations are generally very low and restricted to the upper layers of the water column. Therefore, the vertical distribution of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean is not as uniform as expected, referring to El Sayed (1978) or to Jacques et Minas (1981) . These preliminar results show that a more intensive and detailed study of the Antarctic frontal systems might lead to a better understanding of the phytoplankton distribution and productivity. |
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