Production and fate of phytoplankton size fractions in the plume of the Hudson River, New York Bight
Seasonal effects of water column stability, phytoplankton growth, and copepod grazing on the biomass of phytoplankton size fractions are described in the context of variations in particulate organic carbon (POC). Net plankton biomass was more variable in time (between weeks and months), while nanoplankton biomass was more variable in space (between surface and bottom layers and between stations). Biomass was highest and most uniformly distributed during February-March when net plankton diatoms dominated and doubling times approximated the flushing time of the plume. Biomass declined rapidly with depth and distance from the mouth of the estuary during June-July when nanoplankton dominated and doubling times were short relative to the flushing time of the plume. Variations in POC were well correlated with phytoplakton biomass when net plankton dominated and biomass was limited by sinking and mixing. When nanoplankton dominated, biomass was limited manly by grazing and correlations between POC and biomass were poor. It appears that most of the biomass produced by net plankton diatoms sinks from the surface layer before the summer thermocline develops, while most of the biomass produced by nanpolankton during the summer enters pelagic food chains before sinking from the surface layer.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia, Univ., Palisades, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5643140
- Journal Information:
- Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 24:4; ISSN LIOCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOMASS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
COASTAL WATERS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
NUTRIENTS
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEAS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS