Title | Seasonal and depth variation in microbial size spectra at the Bermuda Atlantic time series station |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1999 |
Authors | Gin, KYH, Chisholm, SW, Olson, RJ |
Journal | Deep-Sea Research Part I-Oceanographic Research Papers |
Volume | 46 |
Pagination | 1221-1245 |
Date Published | Jul |
ISBN Number | 0967-0637 |
Accession Number | WOS:000080787000006 |
Keywords | Bacteria, Biomass, body size, community structure, ecosystem dynamics, food webs, glass-fiber, ocean, pelagic ecosystem, Phytoplankton, Sargasso Sea, size spectra |
Abstract | Dual-beam flow cytometry was used to generate concentration and biomass size spectra (derived from light scatter signals) of bacteria and phytoplankton at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (USJGOFS) station in the oligotrophic Sargasso Sea. The size structure of the phytoplankon was characterized by an average slope of -1.8 for the normalized cell concentration spectrum. When bacteria were included, the average slope was -1.9, very close to the point at which there would be an equal amount of biomass in equal sized logarithmic classes (slope = -2.0). Nanoplankton were the major biomass fraction (about 55-85%) in the upper 100 m of the water column where total biomass levels are highest. At greater depths, where total biomass is lower, the relative proportion of picoplankton (especially bacteria) increases (to about 70-90%). Microplankton generally were less than 20% of the microbial community biomass, |
Short Title | Deep-Sea Res Pt I |
Alternate Journal | Deep-Sea Res Pt I |