Abstract
The distribution and composition of suspended particulate matter in the sea is very complex and not well understood. In this study, 3 different approaches were used to estimate the quantity and quality of suspended particulate matter in 34 samples from the euphotic zone of 9 stations in the Gulf of California. The results from electronic, microscopic and chemical analyses showed that most parameters measured were significantly correlated, e.g. the total particulate volume from particles of 2 to 150 μ diameter, as obtained from the Coulter Counter, proved to be significantly related to such parameters as seston, particulate nitrogen, particulate carbon, phytoplankton carbon and chlorophylla. It can be concluded from this study that the Coulter Counter can be a very useful instrument to determine, with little effort, the size, distribution, and volume of particulate suspended matter in the sea. These data can then be used to calculate some important biological parameters which are necessary to establish meaningful models of phytoplankton production. More detailed studies are necessary to prove the above mentioned relationships in depth, space and time.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Anderson, G. C.: Fractionation of phytoplankton communities off the Washington and Oregon coasts. Limnol. Oceanogr.10, 477–480 (1965).
Anderson, R. C.: A modified flotation technique for sorting bottom fauna samples. Limnol. Oceanogr.4, 223–225 (1959).
Austin, R. W. andR. W. Laudermilk: An oceanographic illuminometer for light penetration and reflection studies. Rep. Scripps Instn Oceanogr. Ref. 68-11, 1–10 (1968).
Bernhard, N. andL. Rampi: The annual cycle of the “Utermöhl-phytoplankton” in the Ligurian Sea in 1959 and 1962. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli35, 137–169 (1967).
—— andL. Rampi andA. Zattera: A phytoplankton component not considered by the Utermöhl method. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli35, 170–214 (1967).
Bogdanov, Y. A.: Suspended organic matter in the Pacific. Oceanology5, 77–85 (1965).
Burt, W. V.: Selective transmission of light in tropical pacific waters. Deep Sea Res.5, 57–61 (1958).
Dillon, W. P.: Flotation technique for separating fecal pellets and small marine organisms from sand. Limnol. Oceanogr.9, 601–602 (1964).
Dixon, W. S. (Ed.): BMD Biomedical computer programs. 620 pp. Univ. Calif., Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Health Sci. Computing Facility 1965.
Eppley, R. W.: An incubation method for estimating the carbon content of phytoplankton in natural samples. Limnol. Oceanogr.13, 574–582 (1968).
—,R. W. Holmes andJ. D. H. Strickland: Sinking rates of marine phytoplankton measured with a fluorometer. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol.1, 191–208 (1967).
Gillbricht, M.: Untersuchungen zur Produktionsbiologie des Planktons in der Kieler Bucht. I. Kieler Meeresforsch.8, 173–191 (1952).
Hagmeier, E.: Plankton-Äquivalente (Auswertung von chemischen und mikroskopischen Analysen). Kieler Meeresforsch.17, 32–47 (1961).
Hobson, L. A.: The seasonal and vertical distribution of suspended particulate matter in an area of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Limnol. Oceanogr.12, 642–649 (1967).
— andD. W. Menzel: The distribution and chemical composition of organic particulate matter in the sea and sediments off the east coast of South America. Limnol. Oceanogr.14, 159–163 (1969).
Holm-Hansen, O.: Determination of microbial biomass in ocean profiles. Limnol. Oceanogr.14, 740–747 (1969).
—,C. J. Lorenzen, R. W. Holmes andJ. D. H. Strickland: Fluorometric determination of chlorophyll. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer30, 3–15 (1965).
Jerlov, N. G.: Optical measurements in the eastern North Atlantic. Göteborgs, K. Vetensk.-o. Vitterh Samh. Handl. (Ser. B)8, 1–39 (1961).
Krey, J.: Eine neue Methode zur quantitativen Bestimmung des Planktons. Kieler Meeresforsch.7, 58–75 (1950).
— Der Detritus im Meere. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer26, 263–280 (1961).
Lenz, J.: Die Teilchengrößenanalyse und Mengenbestimmung des Detritus in Seewasserproben. Kieler Meeresforsch.24, 85–94 (1968).
Lisitzin, A. P.: Distribution and composition of suspended materials in seas and oceans [in Russ.].In: Recent sediments of seas and oceans, pp 175–231. Moscow: USSR Acad. Sci. Comm. Sediments, Div. Geol. Geograph. Sci. 1962.
Lorenzen, C. J.: Carbon/chlorophyll relationship in an upwelling area. Limnol. Oceanogr.13, 202–204 (1968).
McAllister, C. D., N. Shad andJ. D. H. Strickland: Marine phytoplankton photosynthesis as a function of light intensity: a comparison of methods. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can.21, 159–181 (1964).
Menzel, D. W. andJ. H. Ryther: The composition of particulate organic matter in the western North Atlantic. Limnol. Oceanogr.9, 179–186 (1964).
Mullin, M. M.: Size fractionation of particulate organic carbon in the surface waters of the western Indian Ocean. Limnol. Oceanogr.10, 453–462 (1965).
Parsons, T. R.: Suspended organic matter in sea water.In: Progress in oceanography, Vol.1, pp 203–239. Ed. by M. Sears. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1963.
— The use of particle size spectra in determining the structure of a plankton community. J. oceanogr. Soc. Japan25, 172–181 (1969).
—,K. Stephens andJ. D. H. Strickland: On the chemical composition of eleven species of marine phytoplankters. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can.18, 1001–1016 (1961).
— andJ. D. H. Strickland: Oceanic detritus. Science, N.Y.136, 313–314 (1962).
Riley, G. A.: Organic aggregates in sea water and the dynamics of their formation and utilization. Limnol. Oceanogr.8, 372–381 (1963).
—,P. J. Wangersky andD. V. Hemert: Organic aggregates in surface and deep waters of the Sargasso Sea. Limnol. Oceanogr.10, 354–364 (1965).
Ryther, J. H. andD. W. Menzel: On the production, composition, and distribution of organic matter in the western Arabian Sea. Deep Sea Res.12, 199–209 (1965).
Sheldon, R. W. andT. R. Parsons: A continuous size spectrum for particulate matter in the sea. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can.24, 909–915 (1967a).
——: A practical manual on the use of the Coulter Counter in marine science, 66 pp. Toronto: Coulter Electronics Sales Co. 1967b.
—,T. P. T. Evelyn andT. R. Parsons: On the occurrence and formation of small particles in sea water. Limnol. Oceanogr.12, 367–375 (1967).
Smayda, T. J.: A quantitative analysis of the phytoplankton of the Gulf of Panama. II. On the relationship between C14 assimilation and the distom standing crop. Bull. inter-Am. trop. Tuna Commn9, 467–531 (1965).
Snedecor, G. W. andW. G. Cochran: Statistical methods. 593 pp. Ames: Iowa State University Press 1967.
Steele, J. H. andI. E. Baird: Relation between primary production, chlorophyll and particulate carbon. Limnol. Oceanogr.6, 68–78 (1961).
—, — Further relations between primary production, chlorophyll, and particulate carbon. Limnol. Oceanogr.7, 42–47 (1962).
— andD. W. Menzel: Conditions for maximum primary production in the mixed layer. Deep Sea Res.9, 39–49 (1962).
Strathmann, R. R.: Estimating the organic carbon content of phytoplankton from cell volume or plasma volume. Limnol. Oceanogr.12, 411–418 (1967).
Strickland, J. D. H.: Measuring the production of marine phytoplankton. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can.122, 1–172 (1960).
— and G. Skirrow. London and New York: Academic Press 1965.
Strickland, J. D. H. and staff: Progress Report of the Institute of Marine Resources Jan. 1967–June 1968. Part. 4, Sec. 2. The plankton, Rep. Scripps Instn Oceanogr. Ref. 68-38, IMR Ref. 69-3 (1969).
Utermöhl, H.: Zur Vervolkommnung der quantitativen Phytoplankton-Methodik. Mitt. int. Verein. theor. angew. Limnol.9, 1–38 (1958).
Wybtki, K.: Über die Beziehungen zwischen Trübung und ozeanographischem Aufbau. Kieler Mooresforsch.7, 87–108 (1950).
Zeitzschel, B.: Primary productivity in the Gulf of California. Mar. Biol.3, 201–207 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated byO. Kinne, Hamburg
Contribution from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. This work was completed under the Scripps Tuna Oceanography Program supported by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries under Contract No. 14-17-0007-963. Ship time was provided from National Science Foundation funds.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeitzschel, B. The quantity, composition and distribution of suspended particulate matter in the Gulf of California. Mar. Biol. 7, 305–318 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00750823
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00750823