Phytoplankton pigment variations during the transition from spring bloom to oligotrophy in the northwestern Mediterranean sea

Vidussi, Francesca; Marty, Jean-Claude; Chiavérini, Jacques

doi:10.1016/s0967-0637(99)00097-7

Cited by 186 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Bethoux, 1989, but see also Minas et al, 1988 for a discussion). These estimates correspond Vidussi et al (2000) in situ 14 C to 3.6×10 12 and 2.1 × 10 12 mol y −1 of new carbon produced in the two basins, which is not much higher than the rate of allochthonous carbon inputs for the whole basin (1.5 × 10 12 mol y −1 , see Sect. 2).…”

Section: Biomass and Primary Productionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

et al. 2010

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Abstract. We present an overview of the plankton studies conducted during the last 25 years in the epipelagic offshore waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This quasi-enclosed sea is characterized by a rich and complex physical dynamics with distinctive traits, especially in regard to the thermohaline circulation. Recent investigations have basically confirmed the long-recognised oligotrophic nature of this sea, which increases along both the west-east and the north-south directions. Nutrient availability is low, especially for phosphorous (N:P up to 60), though this limitation may be buffered by inputs from highly populated coasts and from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton biomass, as chl a, generally displays low values (less than 0.2 µg chl a l −1 ) over large areas, with a modest late winter increase. A large bloom (up to 3 µg l −1 ) is observed throughout the late winter and spring exclusively in the NW area. Relatively high biomass values are recorded in fronts and cyclonic gyres. A deep chlorophyll maximum is a permanent feature for the whole basin, except during the late winter mixing. It is found at increasingly greater depths ranging from 30 m in the Alboran Sea to 120 m in the easternmost Levantine basin. Primary production reveals a west-east decreasing trend and ranges between 59 and 150 g C m −2 y −1 (in situ measurements). Overall, the basin is largely dominated by small autotrophs, microheterotrophs and egg-carrying copepod species. The microorganisms (phytoplankton, viruses, bacteria, flagellates and ciliates) and zooplankton components reveal a considerable diversity and

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Section: Biomass and Primary Productionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

et al. 2010

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“…The Northern Current also controls the GoL primary production distribution, separating shelf waters directly influenced by the Rhône river from offshore waters with a clear seasonality in surface and deep chlorophyll a concentrations, as revealed by both in situ measurements (Lefevre et al, 1997) and satellite images (Bosc et al, 2004). Main biological features identified in the southwestern GoL are spring mesotrophy when blooms develop (Vidussi et al, 2000) and summer stratified oligotrophic waters followed by autumn blooms (Marty et al, 2008). When winter meteorological conditions are severe, long-lasting cold and dry northerly winds affecting the GoL region induce coastal and open-ocean convection, and both contribute to the renewal of the Western Mediterranean Deep Water Fuda et al, 2000).…”

Section: Study Area and Oceanographic Settingsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Flux and composition of settling particles across the continental margin of the Gulf of Lion: the role of dense shelf water cascading

et al. 2010

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“…Thus, the structure of the model, and precisely the composition of PFT, has been chosen following a thorough analysis of the available experimental knowledge on the biogeochemical functioning of the NW Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Ferrier-Pagès and Rassoulzadegan, 1994;Vidussi et al, 2000;Diaz et al, 2001;Avril, 2002;Marty et al, 2002;Moutin et al, 2002;Thingstad and Rassoulzadegan, 1995;Gaudy et al, 2003;Gomez and Gorsky, 2003;Leblanc et al, 2003;Pujo-Pay and Conan, 2003;Charles et al, 2005), as well as previous modelling studies (Tusseau et al, 1997;Babin et al, 2003;Levy et al, 1998;Lacroix and Grégoire, 2002;Raick et al, 2005Raick et al, , 2006. Resulting from this analysis, the model compartments are described below.…”

Section: Ecosystem Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functioning of the planktonic ecosystem on the Gulf of Lions shelf (NW Mediterranean) during spring and its impact on the carbon deposition: a field data and 3-D modelling combined approach

et al. 2011

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Abstract.A coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical modelling is developed to address main mechanisms that drive the particulate organic carbon (POC) deposition in the Gulf of Lions (NW-Mediterranean). Low-salinity water (LSW, salinity <37.5) lenses detached from the Rhone River plume under specific wind conditions tend to favour the biological productivity and provide a good opportunity for validating a planktonic ecosystem modelling. A specific calibration dedicated to river plume ecosystems is then proposed and validated using in situ measurements within such LSW lens (BIOPRHOFI cruise -May 2006) and on the Gulf of Lions. During spring 2006, the POC deposition is maximal on the prodelta area and within the coastal area in the Gulf of Lions. Organic detritus mostly contribute to the total POC deposition (82-92 %) whereas the contribution of living organisms (microphytoplankton) appears lower than 17 %. Exploring both influences of terrestrial inputs from the Rhone River and planktonic ecosystems on the POC deposition on the shelf, we estimated that the contribution of terrestrial POM inputs to the total POC deposition is lower than 17 % at the shelf scale during the study period, with maxima during peak discharges of the Rhone River. The main deposition area of terrestrial POC is found in the vicinity of the river mouth in agreement with sediment data. On the other hand, a remarkable influence of marine biological processes on the POC deposition is highlighted further on the shelf (from 60 to 80 m depth). A tight feedback between zooplankton and POM contents in the water column is proposed to explain Correspondence to: P. A. Auger (pierre-amael.auger@aero.obs-mip.fr) the control of POC deposition by zooplankton: terrestrial POM inputs would favour the development of living organisms through photosynthesis and grazing processes increasing the retention of organic matter within the food web. By favouring the development of large-sized zooplankton, LSW lenses may have paradoxically a negative impact on the carbon deposition on the shelf. In the same way, peak discharges of the Rhone River finally increase the gradient of POC deposition between the prodelta and the offshore area in the Gulf of Lions. The biogenic elements from the Rhone River are then exported further offshore through advection of zooplankton communities on the Gulf of Lions shelf.

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Phytoplankton pigment variations during the transition from spring bloom to oligotrophy in the northwestern Mediterranean sea

Cited by 186 publications

References 50 publications

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

Flux and composition of settling particles across the continental margin of the Gulf of Lion: the role of dense shelf water cascading

Functioning of the planktonic ecosystem on the Gulf of Lions shelf (NW Mediterranean) during spring and its impact on the carbon deposition: a field data and 3-D modelling combined approach

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