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Antarctic coastal microalgal primary production and photosynthesis

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 14:57 authored by Andrew McMinnAndrew McMinn, Ashworth, C, Bhagooli, R, Martin, A, Salleh, S, Ralph, P, Ryan, K
Primary production in coastal Antarctica is primarily contributed from three sources: sea ice algae, phytoplankton, and microphytobenthos. Compared to other eastern Antarctic sites, the sea ice microalgal biomass at Casey Station, in spring 2005 was relatively low, 3.84 ± 1.67 to 21.6 ± 13.3 mg chl-a m−2 but productive, 103–163 mg C m−2 day−1. The photosynthetic parameters, Fv/Fm and rETRmax, imply a community well-acclimated to the light climate of the benthic, water column, and sea ice habitats. Phytoplankton biomass was greatest in late spring (11.1 ± 0.920 μg chl-a l−1), which probably reflects input from the overlying sea ice. Lower biomass and depressed Fv/Fm values later in the season were probably due to nutrient limitation. Benthic microalgal biomass was consistently between 200 and 400 mg chl-a m−2 and production increased through into late summer (204 mg C m−2 day−1). After the sea ice broke out, the marine environment supported a small phytoplankton biomass and a large benthic microalgal biomass. Compared with previous studies, Fv/Fm values were relatively low but there was no evidence of photoinhibition. When sea ice was present, primary production of benthic microalgae was either very low or there was a net draw down of oxygen. The benthic microalgal community made a larger contribution to total primary production than the phytoplankton or sea ice algae at water depth less than approximately 5 m.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Marine Biology

Volume

159

Issue

12

Pagination

2827-2837

ISSN

0025-3162

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Place of publication

175 Fifth Ave, New York, USA, Ny, 10010

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Springer-Verlag

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments

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