Abstract
Chlorophyll a-specific in vivo fluorescence exhibited depth-dependent changes in a Sargasso Sea phytoplankton community, decreasing from a maximum value at the surface to a minimum at 90m, and then increasing again below 90 m. This distribution pattern was not explained by irradiance conditions, diurnal variability, senescence in the deep population, or changes in light-absorption efficiency of chlorophyll a. However, a significant positive correlation was found between mean phytoplankton cell size and fluorescence number in the upper euphotic zone, where nutrient concentrations were low. We hypothesize that the direct cause for this observed correlation was nutrient limitation. In this picoplankton-dominated community, packaging effect was minimal. Under nutrient-limiting conditions, as mean cell size increases photosynthetic efficiency decreases and therefore fluorescence number increases. In the lower euphotic zone where nutrients were not limiting, changes in fluorescence number exhibited weak size-dependence and appeared to be related to species compositional changes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
