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MEPS 219:51-64 (2001)
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Abstract
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Regulation by low temperature of phytoplankton growth and nutrient uptake in the Southern Ocean
David S. Reay1, Julian Priddle2, David B. Nedwell1,*, Michael J. Whitehouse2, J. Cynan Ellis-Evans2, Clare Deubert1, Douglas P. Connelly3
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
2British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
3Southampton Oceanography Institute, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
*Corresponding author. E-mail: nedwd@essex.ac.uk
ABSTRACT: During oceanographic cruises in 1996 and 1998, phytoplankton from 15 stations in the southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean were incubated at ambient temperature and 2 elevated temperatures (ambient plus 3°C, and ambient plus 6°C).
Rates of growth, nutrient depletion, 15N-nitrate uptake and nutrient interaction were all studied. Microalgal growth rate showed a strong positive relationship to temperature elevation, indicating ambient temperatures were sub-optimal for the
phytoplanktonic community as a whole. Ratios of silicate uptake to chlorophyll a increase were high at ambient temperatures and showed a strong negative relationship with temperature elevation. Nitrate uptake rates, measured by
15N-nitrate incorporation, showed a consistent trend of increased uptake rate at elevated temperature. Specific nitrate-depletion rates, 15N-nitrate uptake rates, and the [florin] ratio all showed an inverse relationship to increasing
ammonium concentration. The results of this study imply that ambient temperature, in addition to direct iron limitation, is important in the maintenance of the high nutrient, low chlorophyll conditions common to the Southern Ocean.
KEY WORDS: Nitrate · Ammonium · Iron · Limitation · Inhibition · HNLC regions
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
219
(2001) on September 10
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2001
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