Comparison of bacterial production in the water column between two Arctic fjords, Hornsund and Kongsfjorden (West Spitsbergen)

Bacterial production and the accompanying environmental factors were measured in the water columns of two Arctic fjords during the cruise in July and August 2013. Water samples were collected at six stations located in the central part of Hornsund and Kongsfjorden. In Hornsund, where average water t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oceanologia
Main Authors: Anetta Ameryk, Katarzyna M. Jankowska, Agnieszka Kalinowska, Jan M. Węsławski
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceano.2017.06.001
https://doaj.org/article/78319989de484318942fc8b472006b34
Description
Summary:Bacterial production and the accompanying environmental factors were measured in the water columns of two Arctic fjords during the cruise in July and August 2013. Water samples were collected at six stations located in the central part of Hornsund and Kongsfjorden. In Hornsund, where average water temperatures were 1.25-fold lower than in Kongsfjorden, the bacterial production was twice as high (0.116 ± 0.102 vs 0.05 ± 0.03 mg C m−3 h−1). Statistical analysis indicated that chlorophyll a concentration itself was not a significant factor that affected bacterial production, in contrast to its decomposition product, pheophytin, originating from senescent algal cells or herbivorous activity of zooplankton. Single and multiple regression analysis revealed that water temperature, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and pheophytin concentration were the main factors affecting bacterial production in both fjords.