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Spatial distribution of phytoplankton productivity in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

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Abstract

To date, no direct measurements of primary production were taken in the Amundsen Sea, which is one of the highest primary productivity regions in the Antarctic. Phytoplankton carbon and nitrogen uptake experiments were conducted at 16 selected stations using a 13C–15N dual isotope tracer technique. We found no statistically significant depletions of major inorganic nutrients (nitrate + nitrite, ammonium, and silicate) although the concentrations of these nutrients were markedly reduced in the surface layer of the polynya stations where large celled phytoplankton (>20 μm) predominated (ca. 64 %). The average chl-a concentration was significantly higher at polynya stations than at non-polynya stations (p < 0.01). Average daily carbon and nitrogen uptake rates by phytoplankton at polynya stations were 2.2 g C m−2 day−1 (SD = ±1.4 g C m−2 day−1) and 0.9 g N m−2 day−1 (SD = ±0.2 g N m−2 day−1), respectively, about 5–10 times higher than those at non-polynya stations. These ranges are as high as those in the Ross Sea, which has the highest productivity among polynyas in the Antarctic Ocean. The unique productivity patterns in the Amundsen Sea are likely due to differences in iron limitation, phytoplankton productivity, the timing of phytoplankton growing season, or a combination of these factors.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the captain and crew of the Korean Research Icebreaker, Araon, for their outstanding assistance during the cruise. We very much appreciate the constructive comments by three reviewers, which greatly improved the earlier version of the manuscript. This research was supported by the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI; PE11040).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 609-735, Korea

    Sang Heon Lee, Bo Kyung Kim, Mi Sun Yun & HuiTae Joo

  2. Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, 406-840, Korea

    Eun Jin Yang, Hyoung Chul Shin & SangHoon Lee

  3. Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Seoul, 135-870, Korea

    Young Nam Kim

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  1. Sang Heon Lee
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Correspondence to Sang Heon Lee.

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Lee, S.H., Kim, B.K., Yun, M.S. et al. Spatial distribution of phytoplankton productivity in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica. Polar Biol 35, 1721–1733 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1220-5

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