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Deep Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll Maxima in the Western Mediterranean

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Book cover Mediterranean Marine Ecosystems

Part of the book series: NATO Conference Series ((E,volume 8))

Abstract

A stratification period and a mixing period alternate during the seasonal cycle in the Mediterranean. Typically, in the Western basin, the development of the thermocline starts around April; the stratification of the water column progresses throughout the summer and begins to disappear in October. Deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM), accompanied by nitrite and oxygen maxima, are typical features of the hydrographical situation in the Mediterranean during the summer months. Although such structures have been studied in a number of tropical and temperate marine areas (Anderson, 1969; Dandonneau, 1979; Goering et al., 1970; Hobson and Lorenzen, 1972; Margalef et al., 1966; Revelante and Gilmartin, 1973; Riley et al., 1949; Saijo et al., 1969; Sorokin, 1970; Steele and Yentsch, 1960; Venrick et al., 1973; among others) there is not yet available a clear picture of the mechanism or mechanisms leading to their origin and maintenance. Another open question concerns the importance of the relative contribution of the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layers to the total primary production in a particular region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Pesquera, Paseo Nacional s/n, Barcelona-3, Spain

    Marta Estrada

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  1. Marta Estrada
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zoological Laboratory, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Maria Moraitou-Apostolopoulou  & Vassili Kiortsis  & 

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Estrada, M. (1985). Deep Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll Maxima in the Western Mediterranean. In: Moraitou-Apostolopoulou, M., Kiortsis, V. (eds) Mediterranean Marine Ecosystems. NATO Conference Series, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2248-9_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2248-9_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2250-2

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