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Phytoplankton absorption and pigment adaptation of a red tide in the Benguela ecosystem

Phytoplankton absorption and pigment adaptation of a red tide in the Benguela ecosystem Phytoplankton absorption and pigment characteristics of a red tide were investigated in coastal waters of the southern Benguela. Diagnostic indices indicated that dinoflagellates were the dominant phytoplankton group, with diatoms and small flagellates being of secondary importance. Very high biomass was observed close to the coast where chlorophyll a concentrations of up to 117 mg m–3 were measured. Both measured (a ph) and reconstructed pigment absorption (a pig) displayed an increasing trend with chlorophyll a, while the package effect index (Q* a) decreased, indicating increased packaging with an increase in biomass. Proportioning of the total pigment absorption between 400 and 700 nm revealed that chlorophyll a accounted for 39–65% of the absorption, while photosynthetic carotenoids (15–30%) and chlorophyll cs (15–30%) were also prominent in absorbing light for photosynthesis. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png African Journal of Marine Science Taylor & Francis

Phytoplankton absorption and pigment adaptation of a red tide in the Benguela ecosystem

Barlow, R; Lamont, T
African Journal of Marine Science , Volume 34 (2): 8 – Aug 1, 2012
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Phytoplankton absorption and pigment adaptation of a red tide in the Benguela ecosystem

Abstract

Phytoplankton absorption and pigment characteristics of a red tide were investigated in coastal waters of the southern Benguela. Diagnostic indices indicated that dinoflagellates were the dominant phytoplankton group, with diatoms and small flagellates being of secondary importance. Very high biomass was observed close to the coast where chlorophyll a concentrations of up to 117 mg m–3 were measured. Both measured (a ph) and reconstructed pigment absorption (a pig) displayed an...
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
Copyright NISC (Pty) Ltd
ISSN
1814-2338
eISSN
1814-232X
DOI
10.2989/1814232X.2012.709968
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Phytoplankton absorption and pigment characteristics of a red tide were investigated in coastal waters of the southern Benguela. Diagnostic indices indicated that dinoflagellates were the dominant phytoplankton group, with diatoms and small flagellates being of secondary importance. Very high biomass was observed close to the coast where chlorophyll a concentrations of up to 117 mg m–3 were measured. Both measured (a ph) and reconstructed pigment absorption (a pig) displayed an increasing trend with chlorophyll a, while the package effect index (Q* a) decreased, indicating increased packaging with an increase in biomass. Proportioning of the total pigment absorption between 400 and 700 nm revealed that chlorophyll a accounted for 39–65% of the absorption, while photosynthetic carotenoids (15–30%) and chlorophyll cs (15–30%) were also prominent in absorbing light for photosynthesis.

Journal

African Journal of Marine Science – Taylor & Francis

Published: Aug 1, 2012

Keywords: absorption; phytoplankton; pigments; red tide

References

  • The variability and potential for prediction of harmful algal blooms in the southern Benguela ecosystem