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Phytoplankton sinking rates in oligotrophic waters off Hawaii, USA

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Abstract

The sinking rates in two size fractions of natural phytoplankton were measured over much of the photic zone in a subtropical environment. At 24, 40 and 71 m, sinking rates (± SD) of the 3 to 20 μm fractions were 0.72±0.05, 0.83±0.05, and 0.34±0.04 m · d-1, respectively, and rates for the 20 to 102 μm fraction were 1.50±0.21, 1.65±0.14, and 0.95±0.22 m · d-1, respectively. At all depths sampled, the 20 to 102 μm size fraction was observed to sink significantly (P<0.01) faster than the 3 to 20 μm fraction. considering vertical variability, both size fractions were observed to have significantly (P<0.01) lower sinking rates at 71 m than at more shallow depths. The finding of lower sinking rates in the region which lies just above the subsurface chlorophyll maximum provides empirical support for the hypothesis that variations in phytoplankton buoyancy may be related to the maintenance of this feature which is typical in oceanic environments. Analysis of sinking rate traces describes the distributions of specific sinking velocities for each size fraction and their variation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceanic Institute, 96795, Waimanalo, HI, USA

    P. K. Bienfang

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  1. P. K. Bienfang
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Communicated by R. O. Fournier, Halifax

Oceanic Institute Contribution No. 162

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Bienfang, P.K. Phytoplankton sinking rates in oligotrophic waters off Hawaii, USA. Mar. Biol. 61, 69–77 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410342

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