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Gross and net production during the spring bloom along the W estern A ntarctic P eninsula
Author(s) -
Goldman Johanna A. L.,
Kranz Sven A.,
Young Jodi N.,
Tortell Philippe D.,
Stanley Rachel H. R.,
Bender Michael L.,
Morel Francois M. M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.13125
Subject(s) - bloom , diatom , psychrophile , primary production , spring bloom , incubation , autotroph , phytoplankton , heterotroph , environmental science , botany , biology , zoology , oceanography , nutrient , ecology , ecosystem , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics , enzyme , geology
Summary This study explores some of the physiological mechanisms responsible for high productivity near the shelf in the W estern A ntarctic P eninsula despite a short growing season and cold temperature. We measured gross and net primary production at Palmer Station during the summer of 2012/2013 via three different techniques: incubation with H 2 18 O ; incubation with 14 CO 2 ; and in situ measurements of O 2 / A r and triple oxygen isotope. Additional laboratory experiments were performed with the psychrophilic diatom F ragilariopsis cylindrus . During the spring bloom, which accounted for more than half of the seasonal gross production at P almer S tation, the ratio of net‐to‐gross production reached a maximum greater than c . 60%, among the highest ever reported. The use of multiple techniques showed that these high ratios resulted from low heterotrophic respiration and very low daylight autotrophic respiration. Laboratory experiments revealed a similar ratio of net‐to‐gross O 2 production in F . cylindrus and provided the first experimental evidence for an important level of cyclic electron flow ( CEF ) in this organism. The low ratio of community respiration to gross primary production observed during the bloom at Palmer Station may be characteristic of high latitude coastal ecosystems and partially supported by a very active CEF in psychrophilic phytoplankton.