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The effect of coastal processes on phytoplankton biomass and primary production within the near-shore Subtropical Frontal Zone
Citation
Jones, KN and Currie, KI and McGraw, CM and Hunter, KA, The effect of coastal processes on phytoplankton biomass and primary production within the near-shore Subtropical Frontal Zone, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 124 pp. 44-55. ISSN 0272-7714 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2013.03.003
Abstract
This study evaluated drivers of phytoplankton net primary production (NPP) rates and chlorophyll-a (chla)
concentrations within the coastally oriented Subtropical Frontal Zone (STFZ) off the South Island of
New Zealand. Time series measurements of hydrographic parameters, macronutrients, size fractionated
NPP and chl-a were conducted on a bi-monthly basis from July 2009 to November 2010. This study found
that nutrient limitation in these waters is controlled by the dual influx of silicate inputs from riverine
sources in coastal neritic water (NW) and oceanic inputs of nitrate from the high nutrient, low chlorophyll
(HNLC) region of the offshore Sub-Antarctic Surface Waters (SASW). Total chl-a concentrations and
primary production rates were perennially higher in near-shore NW and modified Subtropical waters
(STW) than in the SASW, with highest indicators of biological production observed in the Austral spring
and summer seasons (October to March). These periods of peak production and biomass were dominated
in both parameters by microphytoplankton (>20 mm) size fractions. The coupled dominance by these
large phytoplankton and the near depletion of silicate in all characterised waters within the frontal
system indicate the importance of silicic diatoms as drivers of bloom production. The influence of coastal
waters on the STFZ system is most pronounced with the intrusion of neritic water beyond the shelf
boundary during periods of surface water thermal stratification and riverine dilution through flooding
events. These two events were notably observed during the Spring 2009 sampling cruise in December
2009 and in the flood event in May 2010.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | subtropical frontal zone primary production phytoplankton nutrient deficiency river discharge |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Biological oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Coastal or estuarine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Jones, KN (Dr Katherine Jones) |
ID Code: | 89582 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 20 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-03-07 |
Last Modified: | 2014-06-06 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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