Single-species dominance in a subsurface phytoplankton concentration at a Mediterranean Sea front

Gould, Richard; Wiesenburg, Denis A.

doi:10.4319/lo.1990.35.1.0211

Cited by 41 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(15 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This was the case for the Alboran Sea (Arin et al, 2002;Mercado et al, 2005), the Catalan-North Balearic front (Estrada, 1991;Delgado et al, 1992;Estrada et al, 1999), and for a cyclonic area of the North Levantine Sea (Ediger and Yilmaz, 1996). The highest value ever measured in offshore MS (23 µg chl a l −1 ) was found in a 6 m thick subsurface layer around 54 m depth in the AlmeriaOran frontal area in late November 1987 (Gould and Wiesenburg, 1990). In addition to these deep biomass accumulations in very dynamic areas, a deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), generally not exceeding 1.5 µg chl a l −1 , is a permanent feature for the whole basin over the entire annual cycle, with the exception of the short period of late winter mixing.…”

Section: Biomass and Primary Productionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…partheneia) forming gelatinous colonies (∼10 7 cells l −1 and 23 µg chl a l −1 ), which was detected at 54 m depth in the Almeria-Oran front area (Gould and Wiesenburg, 1990). The formation and dynamics of these deep accumulations are strictly linked to the frontal circulation (e.g., Raimbault et al, 1993) and therefore are quite different from those characterizing the development of a DCM in the stratification period in oligotrophic waters.…”

Section: The Colonial and Large Diatomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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

show abstract

Section: Biomass and Primary Productionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: The Colonial and Large Diatomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A1 and M18. Blooms of Thalassiosira partheneia Schrader have frequently been reported in adjacent deep waters (Gould & Wiesenburg, 1990) along the Almeria-Oran Front and in the deep chlorophyll maximum in a single station between the MAW jet and an anticyclonic eddy . Nevertheless, as assessed and discussed so far, F. japonica and Dinophyceae were dominant elsewhere in the eddy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae) occurrence and ecological features within the phytoplankton assemblage of a cyclonic eddy, offshore the Eastern Alboran Sea.

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Raphidophycean Fibrocapsa japonica Toriumi & Takano was detected for the first time offshore in the Eastern Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean) in October 2006. Its distribution appeared very localised and atypical, as it was abundant only in the open waters of a cyclonic eddy. Microscope counts of the natural phytoplankton assemblages revealed that F. japonica was dominant in the microplankton, together with Dinophyceae, within and below the cyclonic nutrient-rich dome (25 - 30 m). Bacillariophyceae were the primary microplanktonic fraction in only a few samples. Moderately high abundances of F. japonica (maximum of 60 cells ml-1), with preliminary cysts and many cells aggregated in mucous nets, indicated a senescent phase. We also suggest a Mediterranean origin for this species. This was confirmed by molecular identification and by a water temperature of 15 °C, which could have favoured pre-cyst formation. Finally, we hypothesise that F. japonica, which is generally a coastal species, could have a coastal origin. Since F. japonica was confined to the cyclonic waters, which typically derive from coastal waters, it was collected at a depth of 40-60 m at the coastal sites and it is generally a coastal species, we hypothesise that it could have a coastal origin and it was entrapped by the cyclonic eddy, which could have carried offshore this harmful species.

show abstract

“…Tintort et al (1988) have described the hydrological and physical structure of the front, but the real influence of this structure on biological production was not investigated. Gould and Wiesenburg (1990) described one station located on the front with an exceptional biological pattern for an oceanic area. Lohrenz et al (1988a,b) focused on physical-biological interactions, but their work took place near the Algerian current which is the western extension of the jet studied here.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytoplankton dynamics associated with a geostrophic front: Ecological and biogeochemical implications

Claustre¹,

Kerhervé²,

Marty³

et al. 1994

issn: 0022-2402

144

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Using phytoplankton pigments as biomarkers, we investigated the relationship between the physical forcing and the resulting biological, ecological and biogeochemical properties of the geostrophic front of the Eastern Alboran Sea. (1) Typical frontal sites present biomass levels averaging 60 mg chl a mm2 (up to 100 mg mm2), whereas the adjacent zones (typical Atlantic and Mediterranean) are characterized by an average integrated chlorophyll biomass of 20 mg chl a rnm2. (2) The phytoplankton biomass at front is diatom-dominated and differs markedly from the adjacent zones (typical Atlantic and Mediterranean), flagellate-and cyanobacteriadominated.Therefore, high biomasses at the front do not result from purely physical accumulation but rather from local production.(3) The chlorophyll and diatom biomasses increase from the left to the right side of the Atlantic jet, which supports the hypothesis of a cross-frontal secondary circulation allowing a diatom bloom development. (4) Using assumptions on the carbon/chlorophyll ratio and growth rates for the different phytoplankton taxa, we evaluated the specific productions: diatoms account for 67% of the production at front and only about 10% at adjacent zones. (5) High concentrations of phaeopigments are only found at frontal stations, which points out the pecularities of the food web at the frontal site, compared to adjacent areas. (6) The observations made during this study give a precise picture of that frontal system: autotrophic new production and exportation are enhanced. The implication of this fro&l system on the carbon budget at a regional scale may be important.

show abstract

Single-species dominance in a subsurface phytoplankton concentration at a Mediterranean Sea front

Abstract: Abstract-A

Cited by 41 publications

References 13 publications

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

Plankton in the open Mediterranean Sea: a review

Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae) occurrence and ecological features within the phytoplankton assemblage of a cyclonic eddy, offshore the Eastern Alboran Sea.

Phytoplankton dynamics associated with a geostrophic front: Ecological and biogeochemical implications

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About