Naslov
Biological evidence of a winter convection event in the South Adriatic: A phytoplankton maximum in the aphotic zone

Autori
Batistić, Mirna ; Jasprica, Nenad ; Carić, Marina ; Čalić, Marijeta ; Kovačević, Vedrana ; Garić, Rade ; Njire, Jakica ; Mikuš, Josip ; Bobanović- Ćolić, Svjetlana

Izvornik
Continental shelf research (0278-4343) 44 (2012), 1; 57-71

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
plankton ; deep winter convection ; Eastern Mediterranean ; South Adriatic

Sažetak
An unusual phenomenon was recorded in the deep South Adriatic in February 2008: phytoplankton reached their maximum abundance in the aphotic zone. This was associated with strong downward flow induced by (1) surface cooling during bura (the region’s cold, dry north wind) events and (2) ingression of more saline Eastern Mediterranean Water. Maximum abundance of microphytoplankton (MICRO) and nanophytoplankton (NANO), 1.4x10^4 and 6.8x10^5 cells L-1, respectively, was at 400 m in the South Adriatic Pit. Diatoms dominated deep microphytoplankton samples. Atypically, autotrophic picoflagellates were found throughout the water column, with high abundance in the aphotic layers. Zooplankton did not show such dramatic deviations from their usual vertical distribution, but the abundance and relative contribution of some species between 200 and 800 m layer were markedly different.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA