Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution and composition of particulate organic matter in the Ross Sea (Antarctica)

  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The biochemical composition and spatial distribution of particulate organic matter (POM) were studied in the Ross Sea (Antarctica) in summer 1989 to assess the quantitative role of organic carbon fractions in the cycling of organic matter in the water column. Large differences in chemical composition were observed between surface and deep layers. The results indicated that, despite large geographical differences, POM was quite homogeneous, of phytoplankton origin and mostly detrital. Different ratios were used to investigate the changes in biochemical composition of particulate organic matter in relation to the ice-melting: C∶N (organic carbon∶organic nitrogen ratio) and C-POM∶POC (sum of carbohydrate, protein and lipid carbon∶total organic carbon ratio) were used to analyse the percentage of refractory organic material. PPRT∶PCHO (protein∶carbohydrate ratio) were used to establish POM “age” and RNA∶DNA ratios as a relative measure of particulate activity; POC∶Chl a and N-PPRT∶Chl a ratios were used to estimate the autotrophic contribution to the suspended particulate organic matter. Despite its low caloric value (5.3 Kcal g POM−1), an high caloric content in the photic layer (1.6 Kcal m−3 of POM and 2.5 Kcal m−3 of POC) was found thus indicating that a large amount of food was available to higher trophic levels.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Artegiani A, Azzolini R, Paschini E, Creazzo S (1992) Physical Oceanographic conditions in the Southern Pacific Ocean and in the Western Ross Sea. Nat Com Ant Ocean Cruise 1989–90, Data Rep II:5–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayliff MD, Karl DM (1991) Dissolved and particulate DNA dynamics during a spring bloom in the Antarctic Peninsula region, 1986–87. Deep-Sea Res 38:1077–1095.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bligh EG, Dyer W (1959) A rapid method for total lipid extraction and purification. Can J Biochem Physiol 37:911–917

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bodungen B, Smetacek V, Tilzer MM, Zeitzshel B (1986) Primary production and sedimentation during spring in the Antarctic Peninsula region Deep-Sea Res 33:177–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolter M, Dawson R (1982) Heterotrophic utilization of biochemical compounds in antarctic waters. Neth J Sea Res 16:315–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Catalano G, Benedetti F, Goffart A, Iorio M (1991) Distribution of dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity and nutrients in Southern Ocean and Ross Sea (R/V “CARIBOO” 1989–90 cruise). Nat Com Ant Ocean Camp 1989–90 Data Rep I:11–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawet G (1978) Organic chemistry of sea water particulates concepts and developments. Oceanol Acta 1:99–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Copin-Montegut C, Copin-Montegut C (1978) The chemistry of particulate matter from the South Indian and Antarctic Ocean. Deep Sea Res 5:911–931

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushing DH, Humphrey F, Banse K, Laevastu T (1958) Report of the committee on terms and equivalents. Rapp Proc VerbC P I E M 144:15–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson R, Liebezeit G (1982) The determination of amino acids and carbohydrates. In: Grasshoff K (ed) Methods of seawater analysis Verlag Chemie, Weinheim (2nd ed.)

  • Dortch Q, Roberts TL, Clayton JR, Ahmed SI (1983) RNA∶DNA ratios and DNA concentrations as indicators of growth rate and biomass in planktonic organisms. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 13:61–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois M, Gilles KA, Hamilton JK, Rebers PA, Smith F (1956) Colorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances. Analyt Chem 28:350–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar RB, MacPerson A.J., Wefer G (1985) Water-column particulate flux and sea floor deposit in the Bransfield Strait and Southern Ross Sea, Antarctica. Antarctic J:98–102

  • Dyton PK (1990) Polar Benthos. In: Walker O. Smith (ed) Polar Oceanography Part. B, Academic Press, London, pp 637–676

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Sayed SZ (1988) Seasonal and interannual variabilities in Antarctic Phytoplankton with reference to Krill distribution. In: D Sahrhage (ed) Antarctic Ocean and Resources Variability. Springer, Berlin, pp 101–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabiano M, Zavattarelli M, Palmero S (1984) Observations sur la matiere organique particulaire (Proteines, Glucides, Lipides, Chlorophylle) en Mer Ligure. Tethys 11:133–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabiano M, Povero P, Medica D, Bruzzone R (1991) Distribution of particulate organic matter in Antarctic water (Ross Sea). NatCom Ant Ocean Camp 1989–90, Data Rep I:113–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabiano M, Povero P, Danovaro R, Bruzzone R (1992) Particulate Organic Carbon, Nitrogen and Nucleic Acids (DNA, RNA) in Antarctic waters (Ross Sea and Terra Nova Bay). Nat Com Ant Ocean Cruise 1989–90, Data Rep II:153–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Fichez R (1991) Composition and fate of organic matter in sub-marine cave sediments; implications for the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon. Oceanol Acta 14:369–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon DC (1970) Some studies on the distribution and composition of POC in the North Atlantic Ocean. Deep-Sea Res 17:233–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Guglielmo L, Hecq J-H, Artegiani M, Azzali M, Azzolini R, Benedetti F, Catalano G, Decembrini F, Fabiano M, Goffart A, Innamorati M, Kalinowski J, Lazzara L, Magazzù G, Nuccio C, Paschini E, Povero P, Vanucci S (1993) Ecohydrodynamical approach of the planktonic ecosystem during the Vth ITALIAN-TARTIDE expedition in the pacific sector of the Southern Ocean (1989–1990). J Mar System (in press)

  • Hartree EF (1972) Determination of proteins: a modification of the Lowry method that gives linear photometric response. Anal Biochem 48:422–427

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges JI, Stern JH (1984) Carbon and nitrogen determination of carbonate-containing solids. Limnol Oceanogr 29:657–663

    Google Scholar 

  • Innamorati M, Lazzara L, Mori G, Nuccio C, Saggiomo V (1991) Phytoplankton Ecology. Nat Sc Com Ant Ocean Camp 1:141–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Ittekot V, Degens ET (1982) Monosaccharide composition of acidhydrolyzable carbohydrates in particulate matter during a plankton bloom. Limnol Oceanogr 27:770–776

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacques G (1989) Primary Production in the open Antarctic Ocean during the austral summer. A review. Vie Milieu 39:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot Van Beveren C (1980) A statistical method to estimate the biochemical composition of phytoplankton in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Estaur Coast Shelf Sc 10:467–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebezeit G (1984) Particulate carbohydrates in relation to phyto-plankton in the euphotic zone of the Bransfield Strait. Polar Biol 2:225–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebezeit G, Bölter M (1986) Distribution of particulate amino acids in the Bransfield Strait. Polar Biol 5:199–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukavsky J, Tetik K, Vendlova J (1973) Extraction of nucleic acids from the alga Scenedesmus quadricauda. Arch Hydrobiol Suppl 42, Algological Studies 9:416–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Magazzù G, Decembrini F (1991) Primary production in the Southern Ocean. Nat Com Ant Ocean Camp 1989–90, Data Rep 1:255–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh JB, Weinstein WJ (1959) A simple charring method for determination of lipids. J Lip Res 7:574–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin JH, Knauer GA, Karl DM, Broenkow WW (1987) Carbon cycling in the northeast Pacific. Deep-Sea Res 34:267–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsuda O, Ishikawa S, Kawakuchi K (1987) Seasonal variation of downward flux of particulate organic matter under the antarctic fast ice. Proc. NIPR Symp. Polar Biol 1:23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayzaud P, Taguchi S (1979) Size spectral and biochemical characteristics of the participate matter in the Bedford Basin. J Fish Res Bd Can 36:211–218

    Google Scholar 

  • McAllister CD, Parsons TR, Strickland JDH (1960) Primary productivity at station P in the North East Pacific ocean. J Cons Perm Int Explor Mer 25:240–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller PJ, Suess E, Ungerer A (1986) Amino acids and amino sugars of surface particulate and sediment trap material from waters of the Scotia Sea. Deep-Sea Res 33:819–838

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DM, Smith WO Jr (1986) Phytoplankton bloom dynamics of the Western Ross Sea ice-edge-II. Mesoscale cycling of nitrogen and silicon. Deep-Sea Res 33:1389–1412

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DM, Smith WO Jr, Gordon LI, Huber BA (1987) Spring distributions of density, nutrients, and phytoplankton biomass in the ice-edge zone of the Weddell-Scotia Sea J Geoph Res 92:7181–7190

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DM, Smith WO Jr, Muench RD, Gordon LI, Sullivan CW, Hubsy DM (1989) Particulate matter and nutrient distributions in the ice-edge zone of the Weddell Sea: relationship to hydrography during late summer. Deep-Sea Res 36:191–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Nival P, Charra J, Malara G, Boucher D (1972) La matière organique particulaire de la Mediterranee occidentale en Mars 1970. Mission Mediprod du “Jean Charcot”. Ann Ist Oceanogr, Paris, 48:141–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Nival P, Gostan J, Malara G, Charra R (1976) Evolution du plancton dans la baie de Villefranche-Sur-Mer a la fin du printemps (Mai et Juin 1971). Vie Milieu 26:47–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Packard TT, Dortch Q (1975) Particulate protein-nitrogen in North Atlantic surface waters. Mar Biol 33:347–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TR, Stephens K, Strickland JDH (1961) On the chemical composition of eleven species of marine phytoplankters. J Fish Res Bd Canada 18:1001–1016

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TR, Lalli CM (1988) Comparative oceanic ecology of the plankton communities of the subantarctic Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Oceanogr. Mar Biol Annu Rev 26:317–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, T.R., Takahashi M., Hargrave B. (1977). Biological Oceanographic Processes. Pergamon, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt T, Irwin B (1973) Caloric content of phytoplankton. Limnol Oceanogr 18:306–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Smetacek V, Hendrikson P (1979). Composition of particulate organic matter in Kiel Bight in relation to phytoplankton succesion. Oceanol Acta 2:287

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith WO, Nelson DM (1985) Phytoplankton bloom produced by a receding ice-edge in the Ross Sea: Spatial coherence with the density field. Science, 227:163–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith WO, Sakshaug E (1990) Polar phytoplankton. In: Smith WO (ed) Polar Oceanography, Part B. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 477–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland JDH, Parsons TR (1972) A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Bull Fish Res Board Can 167:1–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanoue E (1985) Distribution and chemical composition of particulate organic matter in the pacific sector of the antarctic ocean. Trans Tokyo Univ Fish 6:43–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanoue E, Handa N, Kato M (1982) Horizontal and vertical distributions of particulate organic matter in the Pacific Sector of the Antarctic. Ocean Trans Tokyo Univ Fish 5:65–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanoue E, Zenimoto M, Komaki Y, Handa N (1986) Distribution of particulate organic materials in the Pacific and Indian sectors of the Antarctic Ocean in the austral summer. Mem Natl Inst Polar Res, Spec Issue 40:380–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Treguer P, Gueneley S, Kamatani A (1988) Biogenic silica and particulate organic matter from the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Mar Chem 23:167–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Treguer P, Nelson DM, Gueneley S, Zeyons C, Morvan J, Buma A (1990) The distribution of biogenic and lithogenic silica and the composition of particulate organic matter in the Scotia Sea and the Drake Passage during autumn 1987. Deep-Sea Res 37:833–851

    Google Scholar 

  • Winberg GG (1971) Symbols, units and conversion factors in study of fresh waters productivity. Int Biol Progr, 23 pp

  • Zachleder V (1984) Optimization of nucleinic acids assay in green and blue-green algae: extraction procedures and the lightactivated diphenylamine reaction for DNA. Arch Hydrobiol, [Suppl 67] Algol Stud 36:416–426

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Animale ed Ecologia, Università di Cagliari, V. le Poetto, 1, Cagliari, Italy

    Mauro Fabiano

  2. Instituto di Scienze Ambientali Marine, Università di Genova, Corso Rainusso 14, 16038, S. Margherita L. Genova, Italy

    Paolo Povero & Roberto Danovaro

Authors
  1. Mauro Fabiano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paolo Povero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roberto Danovaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fabiano, M., Povero, P. & Danovaro, R. Distribution and composition of particulate organic matter in the Ross Sea (Antarctica). Polar Biol 13, 525–533 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236394

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236394

Keywords

Search

Navigation