Physical and biological variability in the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone: report on research cruise 103 of the MV SA Agulhas

• Main Authors: Froneman, P William, Ansorge, Isabelle J, Vumazonke, Lukhanyiso U, Gulekana, A, Bernard, Kim S, Webb, Arthur C M, Leukes, Winston D, Risien, C M, Thomalla, S, Hermes, Juliet, Knott, M, Anderson, D, Hargey, N, Jennings, Michael E, Veitch, J, Lutjeharms, Johan R E, McQuaid, Christopher D
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Andrew Bain Fracture Zone; Antarctic; Bain; Bain Fracture Zone; Indian; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Prince Edward Islands
• Online Access: http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:6910; http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011863

A detailed hydrographic and biological survey was carried out in the region of the South-west Indian Ridge during April 2002. Hydrographic data revealed that the Andrew Bain Fracture Zone, centred at 30oE, 50oS, functions as an important choke point to the flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, resulting in the convergence of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) and the southern branch of the Sub-Antarctic Front (SSAF). Total chlorophyll-a concentration and zooplankton biomass were highest at stations occupied in the vicinity of two frontal features represented by the APF and SSAF. These data suggest that the region of the South-west Indian Ridge is an area of elevated biological activity and probably acts as an important offshore feeding area for the top predators on the Prince Edward Islands.