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Phytoplankton Size

  • Chapter
Primary Productivity and Biogeochemical Cycles in the Sea

Part of the book series: Environmental Science Research ((ESRH,volume 43))

Abstract

In reviewing this subject, it became clear to me that plankton ecologists fall out into two groups: Those who delight in finding the patterns in nature that can be explained by size, and those who delight in finding exceptions to the established size-dependent rules. I came to appreciate the degree to which the satisfaction of both groups is equally justified. The mechanisms underlying the size-dependent patterns have undoubtedly steered the general course of phytoplankton evolution, but the organisms that do not abide by the rules reveal the wonderful diversity of ways in which cells have managed to disobey the “laws” scripted for them. The simplicity of the general relationships serves as a stable backdrop against which the exceptions can shine. By understanding the forces that have driven the design of these exceptions, we can begin to understand the ecology that has shaped past and present planktonic ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 48-425 Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Sallie W. Chisholm

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  1. Sallie W. Chisholm
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  1. Oceanographic and Atmospheric, Sciences Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA

    Paul G. Falkowski

  2. Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA

    Avril D. Woodhead

  3. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, USA

    Katherine Vivirito

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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Chisholm, S.W. (1992). Phytoplankton Size. In: Falkowski, P.G., Woodhead, A.D., Vivirito, K. (eds) Primary Productivity and Biogeochemical Cycles in the Sea. Environmental Science Research, vol 43. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0762-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0762-2_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0764-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0762-2

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