Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Primary production processes and photosynthetic performance of a unique periantarctic ecosystem: the Strait of Magellan

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During the late austral summer and early autumn 1995 (March–April), an oceanographic cruise was conducted along the Strait of Magellan in order to study the photosynthetic performance of phytoplankton assemblages. The high correlations between the pico–nano fractions and both the total biomass concentrations (Chla) and primary production rates emphasized the role of these fractions in driving the primary production processes. Repeated P versus E experiments were conducted in the most productive area of the Strait, Paso Ancho, in order to assess the influence of the tidal currents on phytoplankton photosynthetic performance. These data were compared to those available from a previous cruise (February–March, 1991) carried out along the Strait. In the Pacific–Andean sector, the primary production processes were highly controlled by wind, land forcing, and irradiance availability. In the Paso Ancho, the observed highest photosynthetic capacity \( P_{\text{m}}^{\text{B}} \) (up to 6.5 mgC mgChla −1 h−1) and the high primary production rates may due to the continuous mixing of the water column forced by the strong tidal currents within the photic layer. The non-limiting, macro-nutrient concentrations in the Strait indicate that the available irradiance and the depth of mixed layer are the main driving factors of the primary production processes. The photosynthetic performance of the phytoplankton assemblages renders the Strait a unique ecosystem, which is more similar to those of the mid-latitudes than to those of the periantarctic areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antal TK, Venediktov PS, Matorin DN, Ostrawska M, Rubin AB (2001) Measurement of phytoplankton photosynthesis rate using a pump and probe fluorometer. Oceanologia 43:291–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Antezana T (1999) Hydrographic features of Magellan and Fuegian inland passages and adjacent Subantarctic waters. Sci Mar 63(Suppl I):23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Antezana T, Hamamé M, Eissler Y, Jara S (1996) Traits of phyto- and zooplankton from the Strait of Magellan to Beagle Channel on board RV Victor Hensen, leg 1 and 2, Oct–Nov 1994. Ber Polarforsch 190:23–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Antoine D, Andrè JM, Morel A (1996) Oceanic primary production. 2. Estimation at global scale from satellite (coastal zone color scanner) chlorophyll. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 10:57–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basterretxea G, Aristegui J (1999) Phytoplankton biomass and production during late austral spring (1991) and summer (1993) in the Bransfield Strait. Polar Biol 21:11–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behrenfeld MJ, Falkowski PG (1997) Photosynthetic rates derived from satellite-based chlorophyll concentration. Limnol Oceanogr 42:1–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behrenfeld MJ, Prasil O, Babin M, Bruyant F (2004) In search of a physiological basis for covariations in light-limited and light-saturated photosynthesis. J Phycol 40:4–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd PW (2002) Environmental factors controlling phytoplankton processes in the Southern Ocean. J Phycol 38:844–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bracher AU, Kroon BMA, Lucas MI (1999) Primary production, physiological state and composition of phytoplankton in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 190:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budillon G, Henriquez J, Sobarzo M, Spezie G (1996) Hydrodynamics of the Straits of Magellan (1995). In: Faranda FM, Guglielmo L, Povero P (eds) Nat Prog Ant Res Straits of Magellan Ocean, Cruise, March–April 1995. Data report, pp 9–52

  • Carrada GC, Fabiano M, Povero P, Saggiomo V (1994) Surface distribution of size-fractionated chlorophyll a and particulate organic matter in the Strait of Magellan. Polar Biol 14(7):447–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catalano G, Acuña A, Benedetti F (1996) The Straits of Magellan dissolved oxygen and nutrient distribution during the 2nd joint Italian–Chilean cruise (March 1995). In: Faranda FM, Guglielmo L, Povero P (eds) Nat Prog Ant Res Straits of Magellan Ocean, Cruise, March–April 1995. Data report, pp 53–68

  • Cellusi M, Paoli A, Bernardi Aubry F, Bastianini M, Del Negro P (2008) Diel microbial variations at a coastal Northern Adriatic station affected by Po River outflows. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 76:36–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chuecas LM (1980) Contribución al conocimiento de las condiciones hydrograficas de los fiordos de la región magallanica. Bol Inst Oceanogr S Paulo 29(2):95–104

    Google Scholar 

  • de Baar HJW, Boyd PW, Coale KH, çandry MR, Tsuda A, Assmy P, Bakker DCE, Bozec Y, Barber RT, Brzezinski MA, Buesseler KO, Boyé M, Croot PL, Gervais F, Gorbunov MY, Harrison PJ, Hiscock WT, Laan P, Lancelot C, Law CS, Levasseur M, Marchetti A, Millero FJ, Nishioka J, Nojiri Y, van Oijen T, Riebessel U, Rijkenberg MJA, Saito H, Takeda S, Timmermans KR, Veldheuis MJW, Waite AM, Wong C-S (2005) Synthesis of iron fertilization experiments: from the iron age in the age of enlightenment. J Geophys Res 110:C09S16. doi:10.1029/2004JC002601

  • Falkowski PG, Raven JA (2007) Aquatic photosynthesis. Blackwell Science, Oxford, p 375

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonda Umani S, Monti M (1996) Microoplankton community distributions in the Straits of Magellano (Chile) during March–April 1995. In: Faranda FM, Guglielmo L, Povero P (eds) Nat Prog Ant Res Straits of Magellan Ocean, Cruise, March–April 1995. Data report, pp 251–258

  • Forbes JR, Denman KL, Mackas DL (1986) Determinations of photosynthetic capacity in coastal marine phytoplankton: effects of assay irradiance and variability of photosynthetic parameters. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 32:181–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glorioso P (1987) Temperature distribution related to shelf-sea fronts on the Patagonian Shelf. Cont Shelf Res 7(1):27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guglielmo L, Antezana T, Ghirardelli E, Zagami G, Granata A, Arena G (1996) Zooplankton ecology in the Straits of Magellan (Paso Ancho) in early autumn 1995. In: Faranda FM, Guglielmo L, Povero P (eds) Nat Prog Ant Res Straits of Magellan Ocean, Cruise, March–April 1995. Data report, pp 233–250

  • Hamame M, Antezana T (2010) Vertical diel migration and feeding of E. vallentini within southern Chilean fjords. Deep Sea Res, Part II 57:642–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison WG, Platt T (1986) Photosynthesis–irradiance relationship in polar and temperate phytoplankton populations. Polar Biol 5:153–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holm-Hansen O, Lorenzen CJ, Holmes RW, Strickland JDH (1965) Fluorometric determination of Chlorophyll. J Cons Perm Int Explor Mer 30:3–15

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman J, van Oostveen P, Weissing FJ (1999) Critical depth and critical turbolence: two different mechanisms for the development of phytoplankton blooms. Limn Oceanogr 44:1781–1787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyun JH, Choi JK, Chung KH, Yang EJ, Kim MK (1999) Tidally induced changes in bacterial growth and viability in the macrotidal Han River estuary, Yellow Sea. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 48:143–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iriarte JL, Uribe JC, Valladares (1993) Biomass of size-fractionated phytoplankton during the spring–summer season in the Southern Chile. Bot Mar 36:443–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iriarte JL, Basualto S, Marino D, Uribe JC (1996) Distribution of phytoplankton in the Strait of Magellan (March–April 1995). In: Faranda FM, Guglielmo L, Povero P (eds) Nat Prog Ant Res Straits of Magellan Ocean, Cruise, March–April 1995. Data report, pp 141–170

  • Iriarte JL, Kusch A, Ruiz M (2001) Phytoplankton biomass in the sub-Antarctic area of the Straits of Magellan (53°S), Chile during spring summer 1997–1998. Polar Biol 24:154–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iriarte JL, González HE, Liu KK, Rivas C, Valenzuela C (2007) Spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll and primary productivity in surface waters of southern Chile (41.5–43°S). Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 74:471–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacques G (1989) Primary production in the Antarctic Ocean during the austral summer. A review. Vie Milieu 39:l–l17

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolber Z, Falkowski PG (1993) Use of active fluorescence to estimate phytoplankton photosynthesis in situ. Limnol Oceanogr 38:1646–1665

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kolm HE, Andretta L (2003) Bacterioplankton in different tides of the Perequê Tidal Creek, Pontal Do Sul, Paraná, Brazil. Brazilian J Microbiol 34:97–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Li WKW (2002) Macroecological patterns of phytoplankton in the northwestern North Atlantic Ocean. Nature 419:154–157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magazzù G, Saggiomo V, Decembrini F (1991) Primary production of the Straits of Magellan. In: Nat Sc Com Ant, Magellan Cruise, February–March 1991. Data report, Part I, pp 89–154

  • Magazzù G, Panella S, Decembrini F (1996) Seasonal variability of fractionated phytoplankton, biomass and primary production in the Straits of Magellan. J Mar Syst 9:249–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangoni O, Modigh M, Mozetic P, Bergamasco A, Rivaro P, Saggiomo V (2008) Structure and photosynthetic properties of phytoplankton assemblages in a highly dynamic system, the Northern Adriatic Sea. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 77:633–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medeiros C, Kjerfve B (1988) Tidal characteristics of the Strait of Magellan. Cont Shelf Res 8:947–960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michelato A, Accerboni E, Berger P (1991) Current meter observations in the eastern and central sectors of the Strait of Magellan. Boll Oceanol Teor Appl 9(2–3):261–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell BG, Holm-Hansen O (1991) Observations and modeling of the Antarctic phytoplankton crop in relation to mixing depth. Deep-Sea Res, Part A 38:981–1007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun S, Marin S, Valladares C, Iriarte JL (1999) Reproductive cycle of Loxechinus albus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in two areas of the Magellan Region (53°S, 70–72°W), Chile. Sci Mar 63:439–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmisano AC, SooHoo JB, Moe RM, Sullivan CW (1987) Sea ice microbial communities. VII. Changes in under-ice spectral irradiance during the development of Antarctic sea ice microalgal communities. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 35:165–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panella S, Michelato A, Perdicaro R, Magazzù G, Decembrini F, Scarazzato P (1991) A preliminary contribution to understanding the hydrological characteristics of the Strait of Magellan: austral spring 1989. Boll Oceanol Teor Appl 9(2–3):107–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickard GL (1971) Some physical oceanographic feature of inlets of Chile. J Fish Res Bd Canada 28:1077–1106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickard GL (1973) Water structure in Chilean Fjords. In: Fraser R (comp.), Oceanography of the South Pacific 1972. New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Wellington, pp 95–104

  • Platt T, Sathyendranath S (1988) Oceanic primary production: estimation by remote sensing at local and regional scales. Science 241:1613–1620

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Platt T, Gallegos C, Harrison WG (1980) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in natural assemblages of marine phytoplankton. J Mar Res 38(4):687–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt T, Sathyendranath S, Forget M-H, White GN III, Caverhill C, Bouman H, Devred E, Son SH (2008) Operational estimation of primary production at large geographical scales. Rem Sen Environ 112:3437–3448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saggiomo V, Goffart A, Carrada GC, Hecq JH (1994) Spatial patterns of phytoplanktonic pigments and primary production in a semi-enclosed periantarctic ecosystem: the Straits of Magellan. J Mar Syst 5:119–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saggiomo V, Catalano G, Mangoni O, Budillon G, Carrada GC (2002) Primary production processes in ice-free waters of the Ross Sea (Antarctica) during the austral summer 1996. Deep-Sea Res, Part II 49(9–10):1787–1801

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakshaug E, Bricaud A, Dandonneau Y, Falkowski PG, Kiefer DA, Legendre L, Morel A, Parslow J, Takahashi M (1997) Parameters of photosynthesis: definitions, theory and interpretation of results. J Plank Res 19:1637–1670

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silva N, Neshyba S (1979) On the southernmost extension of the Perù–Chile undercurrent. Deep Sea Res 26:1387–1393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spezie G, Tucci S, Budillon G, Capello M, Martini A (1997) Dinamica di acque e materiale sospeso nello stretto di Magellano. In: Atti XII Congresso AIOL Vulcano 18–21 settembre 1996, vol 1, pp 165–176

  • Suggett DJ, Moore MC, Hickman AE, Geider RJ (2009) Interpretation of fast repetition rate (FRR) fluorescence: signatures of phytoplankton community structure versus physiological state. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 376:1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilstone GH, Figueiras FG, Lorenzo LM, Arbones B (2003) Phytoplankton composition, photosynthesis and primary production during different hydrographic conditions at the Northwest Iberian upwelling system. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 252:89–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer MM, Dubinsky Z (1987) Effects of temperature and day length on the mass balance of Antarctic phytoplankton. Polar Biol 7:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valdenegro A, Silva N (2003) Caracterizacion oceanografica y quimica de la zona de canales y fiordos australes de Chile entre el Estrecho de Magallanes y Cabo de Hornos (Cimar 3 Fiordos)–Physical and chemical oceanographic features of inlets and fjords of Southern Chile, between Magellan Strait and Cape Horn (Cimar 3 Fiordos). Cienc Tecnol Mar 26(2):19–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanucci S, Mangoni O (1999) Pico-and Nanophytoplankton assemblages in a subantarctic ecosystem: the strait of Magellan. Bot Mar 42:563–572

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Venables H, Moore CM (2010) Phytoplankton and light limitation in the Southern Ocean: learning from high-nutrient, high chlorophyll areas. J Geophys Res 115:C02015. doi:10.1029/2009JC005361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villafañe VE, Marcoval MA, Helbling EW (2004) Photosynthesis versus irradiance characteristics in phytoplankton assemblages off Patagonia (Argentina): temporal variability and solar UVR effects. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 284:23–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wetz MS, Hayes KC, Lewitus AJ, Wolny JL, White DL (2006) Variability in phytoplankton pigment biomass and taxonomic composition over tidal cycles in a salt marsh estuary. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 320:109–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. Giorgio Budillon for providing the CTD data.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy

    Vincenzo Saggiomo, Immacolata Santarpia, Maria Saggiomo & Francesca Margiotta

  2. University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Olga Mangoni

Authors
  1. Vincenzo Saggiomo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Immacolata Santarpia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Saggiomo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Francesca Margiotta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Olga Mangoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vincenzo Saggiomo.

Additional information

This article belongs to the special issue “Pelagic Ecology of the Strait of Magellan”, coordinated by L. Guglielmo and V. Saggiomo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saggiomo, V., Santarpia, I., Saggiomo, M. et al. Primary production processes and photosynthetic performance of a unique periantarctic ecosystem: the Strait of Magellan. Polar Biol 34, 1255–1267 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-011-1038-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-011-1038-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation