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Biogeochemistry and ecology of Pyrosoma spinosum from the Central Arabian Sea

Biogeochemistry and ecology of Pyrosoma spinosum from the Central Arabian Sea Background: A swarm of pelagic tunicate (Pyrosoma spinosum) was found in the surface open waters of the Arabian Sea during late southwest monsoon (September 2007). The swarm site was characterized by moderate −1 southwesterly wind (approximately 7 m s ), relatively low sea-surface temperature (approximately 26°C), shallow mixed layer (approximately 50 m), and substantial macro-nutrient concentrations (surface values: 2.5 μM nitrate, 0.3 μM phosphate, 0.9 μM silicate, and 5.0 μM ammonium). Despite adequate macronutrient availability, the swarm site was characterized by low diversity of phytoplankton (>5 μm) and mesozooplankton in the upper 200 m. Low chlorophyll a concentration (27.3 mg/m in the upper 120 m) at the swarm site was dominated (90% to 95% in the upper 40 m) by the Synechococcus (20 × 10 /ml). Results: Silicate deficiency in surface waters upwelled or entrained from the thermocline may be a key factor for the dominance of smaller autotrophs (flagellates and cyanobacteria) that seems to offer favorable conditions for episodic occurrence of swarms of these filter feeders. Low carbon content (37% of total dry weight) and the lower molar (carbon-to-nitrogen) ratio (5) in P. spinosum suggest growth of these organisms is carbon-limited. Conclusions: We describe various physicochemical and biological http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Zoological Studies Springer Journals

Biogeochemistry and ecology of Pyrosoma spinosum from the Central Arabian Sea

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References (71)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 by Gauns et al.; licensee Springer.
Subject
Life Sciences; Zoology
eISSN
1810-522X
DOI
10.1186/s40555-014-0075-6
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background: A swarm of pelagic tunicate (Pyrosoma spinosum) was found in the surface open waters of the Arabian Sea during late southwest monsoon (September 2007). The swarm site was characterized by moderate −1 southwesterly wind (approximately 7 m s ), relatively low sea-surface temperature (approximately 26°C), shallow mixed layer (approximately 50 m), and substantial macro-nutrient concentrations (surface values: 2.5 μM nitrate, 0.3 μM phosphate, 0.9 μM silicate, and 5.0 μM ammonium). Despite adequate macronutrient availability, the swarm site was characterized by low diversity of phytoplankton (>5 μm) and mesozooplankton in the upper 200 m. Low chlorophyll a concentration (27.3 mg/m in the upper 120 m) at the swarm site was dominated (90% to 95% in the upper 40 m) by the Synechococcus (20 × 10 /ml). Results: Silicate deficiency in surface waters upwelled or entrained from the thermocline may be a key factor for the dominance of smaller autotrophs (flagellates and cyanobacteria) that seems to offer favorable conditions for episodic occurrence of swarms of these filter feeders. Low carbon content (37% of total dry weight) and the lower molar (carbon-to-nitrogen) ratio (5) in P. spinosum suggest growth of these organisms is carbon-limited. Conclusions: We describe various physicochemical and biological

Journal

Zoological Studies – Springer Journals

Published: Jan 3, 2015

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