Summary
Sedimentation of phytoplankton provides food and energy for zoobenthic communities. In this study the rates, species composition and biomass of phytoplankton input to Frobisher Bay sediments were examined during ice (late November to July) and open water (late July to October) periods from 1982 to 1985. The rates were higher on the sea bed than at 20 m. The minimum rate (3x105 cells·m-2·day-1) of sedimentation occurred during the early part of the ice period. It increased as the ice thickened and reached a maximum of 2.8x108 cells·m-2·day-1 after the phytoplankton bloom at the beginning of the open water period in the first two weeks of August. The sedimented phytoplankton was dominated by diatoms, with a great majority of pennate species during the spring (April to June) and centric forms during the summer (July to August). Green flagellates, dinoflagellates and chrysophytes occurred as a low percentage of the total population in all seasons. Other indicators (chlorophyll a and phaeopigments) showed highest biomass levels in the deepest traps. They were consistently low during the winter (December to March) and reached their maxima during the open-water period of summer. Their abundance was correlated with the seasonal cycle of the phytoplankton in the water column.
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Hsiao, S.I.C. Sedimentation in Arctic Canada: Species composition and biomass of phytoplankton contributed to the marine sediments in Frobisher Bay. Polar Biol 7, 245–251 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287421
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287421