Diel dissolved carbohydrate accumulation in coastal water of South Florida, Bermuda and Oahu

Abstract

Dissolved polysaccharide and monosaccharide concentrations were measured over 24 h periods in large volume in situ incubations at three subtropical coastal locations to determine their diel patterns and rates of net accumulation and bacterial utilization. Total dissolved carbohydrate consistently accumulated over 6 to 9 h periods, beginning in the late morning or early evening, at net rates of 3·2 to 7·9 μgC l −1 h −1. These carbohydrates were utilized by bacteria in 3 to 6 h during the late evening or early morning.