Nutrient limitation in Ellis Fjord, eastern Antarctica

The occurrence of high chlorophyll-a concentrations (up to 11.6gl-1) at shallow depths within Ellis Fjord, eastern Antarctica, during spring and summer, coincided with the development of a stratified water column. Macronutrient concentrations during periods of high chlorophyll-a levels were very low...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Biology
Main Authors: McMinn, A, Gibson, JAE, Hodgson, DA, Ashman, J
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer-Verlag 1995
Subjects:
Biological Sciences
Ecology
Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)
Ellis Fjord
Antarc*
Antarctica
Polar Biology
Sea ice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239847
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/5276
Description
Summary:The occurrence of high chlorophyll-a concentrations (up to 11.6gl-1) at shallow depths within Ellis Fjord, eastern Antarctica, during spring and summer, coincided with the development of a stratified water column. Macronutrient concentrations during periods of high chlorophyll-a levels were very low. Phosphate concentrations decreased to 0.2 M, nitrate to 0.4 M and silicate to 3.9 M. High rates of nutrient depletion early in the season can be explained by strong sea-ice algal mat development. An Si:N:P uptake ratio of 25.5:13.8:1 indicates a strong demand for silicate. Minimum silicate levels were below those necessary for maximum diatom growth and probably contributed to the successional shift from diatoms to phytoflagellates. 1995 Springer-Verlag.

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