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Spatial heterogeneity in photosynthesis‐irradiance parameters of phytoplankton across a cyclonic eddy in the Antarctic Divergence zone along 140°E
Author(s) -
Yoshikawa Takashi,
Miki Meguru,
Takeda Shigenobu,
Furuya Ken
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl030736
Subject(s) - irradiance , environmental science , oceanography , atmospheric sciences , phytoplankton , latitude , mesoscale meteorology , geology , spatial variability , photic zone , water mass , climatology , nutrient , ecology , geodesy , statistics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , biology , physics
The latitudinal variation in the photosynthesis‐irradiance (P‐E) relationship of phytoplankton was investigated across a cyclonic eddy in the Antarctic Divergence zone along the 140°E longitude. Both the maximum photosynthetic rate ( P * max ) and maximum light utilization coefficient ( α *) were lower at stations within the eddy as compared with those in the continental shelf‐slope area and the offshore area. The low‐density water mass of the eddy prevented the upward and horizontal supply of macronutrients and micronutrients, which likely resulted in a reduction of P * max and α *. In contrast, both P * max and α * were large and variable in the slope area, probably owing to a local stability resulting from the less‐saline surface water. The present study indicates the possibility that longitudinal variations in the latitudinal pattern of meanders, eddies, seasonal sea‐ice extent, and topographical conditions significantly influence the mesoscale variations in the P‐E parameters and primary production in the Southern Ocean.