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The dynamics of organic production in the Rockall Channel area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

B. Zeitzschel
B. Zeitzschel
Affiliation:
Institut für Meereskunde an der Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 2300 Kiel, Germany
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Synopsis

For the onset of the phytoplankton spring bloom in temperate waters, the irradiance, the concentration of accumulated nutrients and the stability of the water column are of great importance. The “new” production in spring is produced mainly by chain forming diatoms.

The dissipation of the spring bloom is due to nutrient depletion in the stabilised surface layer, loss of cells by sinking and grazing by herbivorous zooplankton. After the nutrient concentration is lowered, the rate of production will depend primarily on the rate of replenishment of nutrients. In open ocean environments we find “regenerated production” which is due to exudated and excreted nutrient salts e.g. ammonium. The dominating group of phytoplankters are small flagellates. It is argued that a substantial part of the phytoplankton standing stock in spring is lost from the euphotic zone due to direct sinking of cells or accelerated sinking of cell-aggregates. It is postulated that faecal pellets of micro- and mesozooplankton are retained and recycled in the mixed layer, whereas macrozooplankton faecal strings transport a considerable amount of organic matter to the benthal.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 88: The Oceanography of the Rockall Channel , 1986 , pp. 207 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1986

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