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Lagrangian observation of phytoplankton dynamics at an artificially enriched subsurface water in Sagami Bay, Japan

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Abstract

Phytoplankton dynamics in the lower euphotic zone were observed by tracking a subsurface water released at 20-m depth from Takumi, an artificial upwelling device. Takumi continually discharged seawater pumped up from a depth of 205 m: this water was mixed with 5-m depth water to adjust the density to that of 20-m depth water of Sagami Bay, Japan. The discharged water was pulse-labeled at Takumi with uranine and tracked for 63.9 h with a drifting buoy equipped with a drogue at 20-m depth. We present a simple model to estimate in situ phytoplankton net growth rates from temporal changes in phytoplankton abundance in the discharged water with correction for the influence of water exchange between the discharged water and neighboring layers. Lagrangian observation showed active growth of pico- and nanophytoplankton, especially cryptophytes and Synechococcus (Cyanobacteria), in the subsurface layer. In contrast, diatoms grew little in spite of micromolar concentrations of nutrients. The active growth of pico- and nanophytoplankton was in good agreement with shipboard serial dilution culture experiments. The low growth activity of diatoms was suggested to be related to low light availability in the subsurface layer.

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Author notes

  1. Naoko Kohashi

    Present address: Department of Ocean Civil Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

  2. Shigenobu Takeda

    Present address: Faculty of Fisheries, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Bioscience, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan

    Takako Masuda, Ken Furuya, Naoko Kohashi, Mitsuhide Sato & Shigenobu Takeda

  2. Department of Marine Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan

    Makoto Uchiyama, Naho Horimoto & Takashi Ishimaru

Authors
  1. Takako Masuda
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  2. Ken Furuya
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  3. Naoko Kohashi
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  4. Mitsuhide Sato
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  7. Naho Horimoto
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  8. Takashi Ishimaru
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Correspondence to Takako Masuda.

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Masuda, T., Furuya, K., Kohashi, N. et al. Lagrangian observation of phytoplankton dynamics at an artificially enriched subsurface water in Sagami Bay, Japan. J Oceanogr 66, 801–813 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-010-0065-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-010-0065-1

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