|
|
Distribution and structure of nutrients in seawater and ecological responses in Dalian Bay |
|
|
Abstract Nutrient concentrations in seawater, and content of N, P, Si and chlorophyll a in different-sized particulates were measured in Dalian Bay during the cruises carried in summer and autumn of 2012. The temporal and spatial distributions of nutrients and chlorophyll a were studied, and the nutrient compositions and structures in different-sized fractions of phytoplankton were discussed. The high concentration areas of nutrients and chlorophyll a were usually in Choushuitao Bay and Tianshuitao Bay. The concentration decreased gradually from the inner bay to the outer bay. The distributions of nutrients in different-sized particulates showed no consistent trends, and the concentrations of nutrients in the northwest were higher than the middle of the bay. Seasonal variations in nutrients were higher in autumn than in summer (except DIN), however the content of chlorophyll a indicated an opposite variation. P was the limiting factor of phytoplankton growth, and Si was the limiting factor of nutrient compositions in different-sized fractions of phytoplankton. Among phytoplankton groups, picophytoplankton growth was the most adaptable in the nutrient structure of Dalian Bay.
|
Received: 28 March 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|