Surface distribution of microphytoplankton of the south-west Indian Ocean along a repeat transect between Cape Town and the Prince Edward Islands

Froneman, P William; Pakhomov, Evgeny A; Meaton, V

Title: Surface distribution of microphytoplankton of the south-west Indian Ocean along a repeat transect between Cape Town and the Prince Edward Islands
Creator: Froneman, P William
Creator: Pakhomov, Evgeny A
Creator: Meaton, V
Date Issued: 1998
Date: 1998
Type: text
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6933
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011953
Description: Surface chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations, microphytoplankton (>20 μm) species composition and distribution along a repeat transect between Cape Town and the Prince Edward Islands were investigated in early austral autumn (April/May) 1996. Samples were collected at approximately 30 nautical mile intervals for the analysis of size-fractionated chl-a and the identification and enumeration of microphytoplankton species. Peaks in total chl-a (>1 μg 1 [superscript -1]) were recorded at the Subtropical Convergence (STC), at the Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF) and in the waters surrounding the Prince Edward Islands. In addition, a minor peak in chl-a concentration was recorded in the continental shelf waters. At stations where elevated chl-a concentrations were recorded, microphytoplankton generally formed a substantial contribution (-10%) to total chlorophyll. Outside these regions, total chlorophyll concentrations were lower (<0.9 μg 1 [superscript -1]) and almost entirely dominated by nano- and picophytoplankton, which contributed >95% of the total. Microphytoplankton species composition along both transects were dominated by chain-forming species of the genera Chaetoceros (mainly C. neglectum, C. peruvianus and C. constrictus), Nitzschia spp. and Pseudoeunotia doliolus. Cluster and ordination analysis based on species composition identified five distinct microphytoplankton assemblages, which were closely associated with the different water masses in the region between Cape Town and the Prince Edward Islands. The microphytoplankton species composition and biogeographic zones identified during this investigation are in general agreement with similar studies conducted in the south-west Indian Ocean during the austral summer, which suggests that there are little seasonal trends in both the microphytoplankton species composition and biogeographic zonation.
Format: 13 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Froneman, P.W. and Pakhomov, E.A. and Meaton, V. (1998) Surface distribution of microphytoplankton of the south-west Indian Ocean along a repeat transect between Cape Town and the Prince Edward Islands. South African Journal of Science, 94 (3). pp. 124-129.

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Pakhomov, Evgeny A (Prof)

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RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

SDG 14. Life Below Water

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