Phytoplankton physiology in a nearshore region of the southern Benguela current

During the summer of 1978-79 diatoms dominated the communities from October to January but microflagellates were dominant in February and March. Low concentrations of ATP, chlorophyll a protein and carbohydrate were measured in Type 1 water with protein/carbohydrate ratios being )1. In Type 2 water concentrations of chlorophyll a ATP and protein were high and the protein/carbohydrate ratio was)l. Concentrations of chlorophyll a and ATP remained high in Type 3 water but the protein/carbohydrate ratio decreased to <1 due to an increase in the concentration of acid-soluble glucan. It was concluded that the communities were in an active phase of growth in Type 1 and Type 2 water when adequate nutrients were available, but were in a slow-growing phase in Type 3 water when nitrate concentrations were low.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1981

Author dc:creator

• Barlow, Raymond Gordon

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Mitchell, D T
• Field, John G
• Strickland, N

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21423

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21423