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Coccolithophores: a major phytoplankton component in mature upwelled waters off the Cape Peninsula, South Africa in March, 1983

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Abstract

Coccolithophores, together with other phytoplankton, were sampled at ten stations along a transect following the general orientation of the Cape Peninsula upwelling plume in March, 1983. Thirteen coccolithophore species were identified with Emiliania huxleyi dominating the assemblages. Coccolithophores and other microflagellates were more abundant than diatoms along the transect except at one station in mature upwelled water. Very high populations (2 340×103 cells l-1) of coccolithophores were found in mature upwelled water adjacent to the oceanic front. This count is one of the highest counts ever recorded in an upwelling area. The anomalous warm event prior to sampling may have had a residual effect on seeding, contributing towards the predominance of small-celled phytoplankton over chain-forming diatoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sea fisheries Research Institute, P. Bag. X2, 8012, Rogge Bay

    B. A. Mitchell-Innes

  2. Marine Biology Research Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    B. A. Mitchell-Innes

  3. Marine Geoscience Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    A. Winter

Authors
  1. B. A. Mitchell-Innes
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  2. A. Winter
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Mitchell-Innes, B.A., Winter, A. Coccolithophores: a major phytoplankton component in mature upwelled waters off the Cape Peninsula, South Africa in March, 1983. Mar. Biol. 95, 25–30 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00447481

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00447481

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