Distribution patterns of benthic microalgal standing stock at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

• Published in: Polar biology 1986-11, Vol.6 (4), p.207-213
• Main Authors: Dayton, P.K, Watson, D, Palmisano, A, Barry, J.P, Oliver, J.S, Rivera, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: algae and seaweeds; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; aquatic communities; benthic organisms; Biological and medical sciences; chlorophyll; distribution; environmental factors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; microorganisms; population density; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00443397

During the austral summer of 1975-76 and winter of 1977 benthic and water column chlorophyll a and phaeopigments were measured at several sites along the east and west sides of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Estimates of in situ primary productivity were made at some MCMurdo Sound locations. Additionally, water column samples were collected at 5 stations in the Ross Sea during January, 1976. Standing stock data are analyzed to identify seasonal and spatial patterns. Variability in algal standing stock was related to ambient light levels and appeared to be mediated by ice and snow cover whereby the highest algal standing stock was present under high light conditions (low ice and snow cover, shallow water, summer). Differences in published benthic invertebrate densities appear to be closely allied to differences in benthic primary production, and less so to in situ planktonic ice microalgal production.