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Parameters of light-dependent photosynthesis for phytoplankton size fractions in temperate estuarine and coastal environments

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Abstract

Photosynthetic parameters for netplankton (>22 μm) and nanoplankton (<22 μm) varied over similar ranges but exhibited different seasonal and geographic patterns of variation. Nanoplankton a was relatively constant (0.06 mg C [mg Chl · h]-1 [μE m-2 s-1]-1), but P Bm (mg C [mg Chl · d]-1) was an exponential function of temperature independent of nutrient concentration and vertical stability in the euphotic zone. The temperature function gives a P Bm of 24 at 25°C for nanoplankton growing in an estuarine environment characterized by high nutrient concentrations and a shallow, stratified euphotic zone. Variations in netplankton a and P Bm were less predictable and were not correlated with temperature, nutrients or vertical stability. Chain forming diatoms with small cells were able to achieve high α (0.10 to 0.15) and P Bm (20 to 24) that were 3 to 5 times higher than large-celled diatoms and dinoflagellates were able to achieve.

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Author notes

  1. T. C. Malone

    Present address: Oceanographic Sciences Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 11973, Upton, NY, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biology, Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, 10964, Palisades, NY, USA

    T. C. Malone & P. J. Neale

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  1. T. C. Malone
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  2. P. J. Neale
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Communicated by I. Morris, West Boothbay Harbor

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Malone, T.C., Neale, P.J. Parameters of light-dependent photosynthesis for phytoplankton size fractions in temperate estuarine and coastal environments. Mar. Biol. 61, 289–297 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401568

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