Low spring primary production and microplankton carbon biomass in Sub-Antarctic Patagonian channels and fjords (50–53°S). Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iriarte, Jose Luis; Cuevas, Luis Antonio; Cornejo, Fernanda; Silva, Nelson; González, Humberto E.; Castro, Leonardo; Montero, Paulina; Vargas, Cristian A.; Daneri, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Arctic, antarctic, and alpine research. Volume 50:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Plankton carbon -- fjords system -- Patagonia primary production -- freshwater haline stratification; Polar regions -- Periodicals; Alpine regions -- Periodicals; Alpine regions; Cold Climate; Arctic Regions; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 570.998
• DOI: 10.1080/15230430.2018.1525186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1523-0430

Abstract

ABSTRACT: It is relevant to understand the processes and factors that modulate the efficiency of the carbon pump throughout the ecosystem of Patagonian fjords. Spatial variability of primary productivity and bacteria-microplankton biomass was assessed in relation to inorganic nutrients and stratification across nearshore zones of southern Patagonia (50–53°S) in austral spring 2009. Estimates of primary productivity (300–500 mg C m −2 d −1 ) and phytoplankton biomass (9–180 mg chlorophyll- a m −2 ) were low at offshore and inshore waters. Synergistic effects of low silicic acid concentrations and poor light penetration because of salinity-driven stratification of glacier meltwater in springtime appeared to negatively affect phytoplankton carbon biomass and primary production in this sub-Antarctic region. The knowledge of the relative importance of nutrient sources and light is especially significant for Patagonian glacier-fjord systems that are expected to receive higher freshwater inputs and will be more stratified in the future.