Variation in phytoplankton composition between two North Pacific frontal zones along 158°W during winter–spring 2008–2011

Details

• Journal Title:
  Progress in Oceanography
• Personal Author:
  Howell, E.A. ; Bograd, S.J. ; Hoover, A.L. ; Seki, M.P. ; Polovina, J.J.
• NOAA Program & Office:
  NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) ; SWFSC (Southwest Fisheries Science Center)
• Description:
  Data from three research cruises along the 158°W meridian through the North Pacific Subtropical Frontal Zone (STF) during spring 2008, 2009, and 2011 were used to estimate phytoplankton functional types and size classes. These groups were used to describe phytoplankton composition at the North Pacific Subtropical (STF) and Transition Zone Chlorophyll (TZCF) Fronts, which represent ecologically important large-scale features in the central North Pacific. Phytoplankton class composition was consistent at each front through time, yet significantly different between fronts. The STF contained lower integrated chlorophyll-a concentrations, with surface waters dominated by picophytoplankton and a deep chlorophyll maximum equally comprised of pico- and nanophytoplankton. The TZCF contained significantly higher concentrations of nanophytoplankton through the water column, specifically the prymnesiophyte group. Integrated chlorophyll-a concentrations at the TZCF were 30–90% higher than at the STF, with the dominant increase in the signal from the nanophytoplanktonic prymnesiophyte group. The meridional position of the STF was consistently located near 32°N through these three years, with the more spatially variable TZCF ranging from 2° to 4° further north of the STF. This variability in the frontal position of the TZCF may lead to ecological impacts though the food web. Continued in-situ and remote monitoring, specifically during El Niño and ENSO neutral phases, will provide additional ecological information to help understand mechanistic causes of phytoplankton variability in this important ecological region.
• Keywords:
  Chlorophyll Fronts (Meteorology) Phytoplankton North Pacific Subtropical Frontal Zone (STF) Transition Zone Chlorophyll (TZCF)
• Source:
  Progress in Oceanography 150 (2017) 3–12
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2015.06.003
• Format:
  PDF
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Rights Information:
  Accepted Manuscript
• Rights Statement:
  The NOAA IR provides access to this content under the authority of the government's retained license to distribute publications and data resulting from federal funding. While users may legally access this content, the copyright owners retain rights that govern the reproduction, redistribution, and re-use of this work. The user is solely responsible for complying with applicable copyright law.
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2767d83603ae45e284de8c2c1c845aaeb40cc4ad192f3557181c1c048446ba48d8185ee0c73855499b0c2ab7a759e162497c9813774056cbbef1b7913704b20d
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/50651/noaa_50651_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.10 MB ]