Phytoplankton spatial distribution in the Bransfield Strait during the austral summer 2013

Abstract

Phytoplankton for the austral summer of 2013, is characterized by the dominance of phytoflagellates ND (76%) and diatoms (24%). The silicoflagellates and dinoflagellates were not abundant. A total 77 species were determined with 63 diatoms, 11 dinoflagellates, 2 phytoflagellates and 1 silicoflagellate ND. The diatoms Thalassiosira antarctica, Th. bulbosa, Corethron pennatum; Leucocryptos marina and phytoflagellates ND, with higher cell concentrations. Quantitatively phytoplankton ranged between 31 and 1,942 cel.mL-1, the highest concentrations are located at 10 m depth, being the east, west and central part of Bransfield Strait (Sea Bellingshausen). Lower cell concentrations were related to processes of mixing of water masses in the Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea. SST varied between -0.12 °C and 1.56 °C and salinity was between 34.024 and 34.291 ups.