Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2015
DOI
10.1017/s0954102014000881
Publication Title
Antarctic Science
Volume
27
Issue
4
Pages
362-372
Abstract
The Ross Sea polynya is one of the most productive regions in the Southern Ocean. However, limited access and high spatio-temporal variability of physical and biological processes limit the use of conventional oceanographic methods to measure early season primary productivity. High-resolution observations from two Seagliders provide insights into the timing of a bloom in the southern Ross Sea polynya in December 2010. Changes in chlorophyll and oxygen concentrations are used to assess bloom dynamics. Using a ratio of dissolved oxygen to carbon, net primary production is estimated over the duration of the bloom showing a sensitive balance between net autotrophy and heterotrophy. The two gliders, observing spatially distinct regions during the same period, found net community production rates of -0.9 ± 0.7 and 0.7 ± 0.4 g Cm-2 d-1. The difference highlights the spatial variability of biological processes and is probably caused by observing different stages of the bloom. The challenge of obtaining accurate primary productivity estimates highlights the need for increased observational efforts, particularly focusing on subsurface processes not resolved using surface or remote observations. Without an increased observational effort and the involvement of emerging technologies, it will not be possible to determine the seasonal trophic balance of the Ross Sea polynya and quantify the shelf's importance in carbon export.
Rights
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Original Publication Citation
Queste, B. Y., Heywood, K. J., Smith, W. O., Kaufman, D. E., Jickells, T. D., & Dinniman, M. S. (2015). Dissolved oxygen dynamics during a phytoplankton bloom in the Ross Sea polynya. Antarctic Science, 27(4), 362-372. doi:10.1017/s0954102014000881
Repository Citation
Queste, Bastien Y.; Heywood, Karen J.; Smith, Walker O. Jr.; Kaufman, Daniel E.; Jickells, Timothy D.; and Dinniman, Michael S., "Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics During a Phytoplankton Bloom in the Ross Sea Polyna" (2015). CCPO Publications. 226.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/ccpo_pubs/226
ORCID
Dinniman (0000-0001-7519-9278)