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Surface distribution of size-fractionated chlorophyll a and participate organic matter in the Strait of Magellan

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Abstract

The surface distribution of chlorophyll a (chl a) from size-fractionated phytoplankton and of particulate organic matter was studied along the Strait of Magellan during late austral summer (February 20th to March 2nd, 1991), in order to contribute an outline of the ecological characteristics of its pelagic compartment. Sampling of surface water was carried out at 2.5 mile intervals, yielding 152 sampling points for chl a and 104 for particulate organic carbon (POC). The Strait appeared as a system strongly controlled by land forcing. Its phytoplankton community was dominated by the picoplanktonic fraction along its entire length, with mean chl a concentrations of 0.74 and 1.17 μg dm−3 for pico- and total phytoplankton, respectively. The microphytoplankton never exceeded 0.02 μg dm−3. POC concentrations, with a maximum of 242.5 and a mean of 144.8 μg dm−3, were mainly of autotrophic origin, as indicated by a mean POC:chl a ratio of 138.4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Naples, Italy

    G. C. Carrada

  2. Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari, Viale Poetto 1, 09100, Cagliari, Italy

    M. Fabiano

  3. Institute of Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Rainusso 14, 16038, Santa Margherita Ligure (Genova), Italy

    P. Povero

  4. Zoological Station “Anton Dohrn”, Laboratory of Biological Oceanography, Villa Communale, 80121, Naples, Italy

    V. Saggiomo

Authors
  1. G. C. Carrada
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  2. M. Fabiano
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  3. P. Povero
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  4. V. Saggiomo
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Carrada, G.C., Fabiano, M., Povero, P. et al. Surface distribution of size-fractionated chlorophyll a and participate organic matter in the Strait of Magellan. Polar Biol 14, 447–454 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239047

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239047

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