Biohydrography of eukaryotic microorganisms in a cold-ocean ecosystem ...

• Main Author: Hamilton, Andrew Kent
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2011
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Baffin Bay; Baffin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0053306; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0053306

Picoeukaryotes (0.2 - 3 urn) dominate the planktonic biomass of the Arctic Ocean for most of the year, strongly influencing primary production and carbon and nutrient cycles. Despite their importance in this cold-ocean ecosystem, little is known about factors controlling picoeukaryote diversity and distribution. Picoeukaryote community composition and distribution in relation to the physical characteristics of the water column was investigated, and we introduce the term biohydrography to describe studies of this type. Samples were collected at 6 depths across 9 stations in the North Water Polynya (NOW), a large recurring polynya in northern Baffin Bay. The hydrography of the NOW was determined from 52 CTD casts, and several different water masses were identified by their distinct temperature and salinity characteristics. The circulation of water masses in the region was reported and evidence of interleaving and mixing was found along the frontal zone where water masses converged. Picoeukaryote community ...