Benthic microalgal production at Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts Bay, USA

Benthic microalgal chlorophyll a and production were measured at 3 sites at Stellwagen Bank, a cold temperate continental shelf habitat in Massachusetts Bay, USA, during August 1991. Benthic microalgal chlorophyll a averaged 39.8 mg m−2, vs average integrated phytoplankton chlorophyll a of 25.9 mg m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 1993, Vol.102 (1/2), p.179-185
Main Authors: Cahoon, Lawrence B., Beretich, Guy R., Thomas, Carrie J., McDonald, Amy M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphora
Chlorophylls
Habitats
Light
Marine
Microalgae
Navicula
Nitzschia
Oxygen
Phytoplankton
Pigments
Primary productivity
Respiration
Sediments
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Summary:Benthic microalgal chlorophyll a and production were measured at 3 sites at Stellwagen Bank, a cold temperate continental shelf habitat in Massachusetts Bay, USA, during August 1991. Benthic microalgal chlorophyll a averaged 39.8 mg m−2, vs average integrated phytoplankton chlorophyll a of 25.9 mg m−2. Gross benthic microalgal production, measured by oxygen exchange in clear and opaque benthic chambers, averaged 20.9 mg C m−2 h−1. This production was supported by average daily light fluxes to the bottom that never exceeded 1 % of surface incident radiation and were as low as 4.7 μE m−2 s−1. These results indicate that benthic microalgal production can be spatially extensive and quantitatively important in continental shelf ecosystems.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps102179