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SHORT‐TIME SCALE DEVELOPMENT OF A GYMNODINIUM CATENATUM POPULATION IN THE RIA DE VIGO (NW SPAIN) 1
Author(s) -
Fermín Eglée Gómez,
Figueiras Francisco G.,
Arbones Belén,
Villarino María Luisa
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1996.00212.x
Subject(s) - oceanography , upwelling , population , estuary , water column , surface runoff , phytoplankton , shore , outflow , biology , ecology , geology , demography , sociology , nutrient
Wind direction and fresh water runoff determine the circulation pattern of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain), which in turn influence the selection and distribution of its phytoplankton populations. Coastal winds with a south–southwesterly component reverse the positive estuarine circulation in the Ría, causing an off‐shore to in‐shore flow of surface waters and, consequently, the outflow of inner waters via deeper layers. We found that this reversal imposed a selective force on the phytoplankton population: diatoms, which could not counteract the sinking movement of the surface waters, were diminished, while dinoflagellates remained in the water column. From the end of September to the beginning of October 1993, an accumulation of Gymnodimium catenatum Graham was observed coinciding with an intrusion of coastal water induced by westerly winds which provoked a reversal in the circulation of the Ría. The slow reestablishment of the positive estuarine circulation pattern, which was due to a weak coastal upwelling and considerable fresh water runoff, allowed the population of G. catenatum to flourish.