Abstract
The ultraplankton (cell diameters >3 μm), which compromises about 70% of the biomass of phytoplankton in subtropical surface waters near Oahu, Hawaii, was isolated for growth rate studies. The specific growth rate (μ) was estimated from the rate of increase of the chlorophyll biomass during incubations in the absence of grazers. This growth rate of the ultraplankton ranged from 0.037 to 0.071 h−1 (=1.3 to 2.5 doublings d−1) during a period when P:B ratios of 5 to 14.5 μg C μg−1 chl a h−1 prevailed. The co-occurrence of atypically high P:B ratios and nonlimiting ambient nutrient concentrations suggests that the calculated values are higher than those characteristic of such subtropical ecosystems in general. Rates of ammonium uptake and photosynthesis by the >3 μm fraction were also compared to those of larger fractions. Organisms in the >3 μm fraction assimilated NH +4 at a rate which was about 75% greater than that of the 3 to 20 μm size fraction. Comparison of μ and P:B data collected over a 2 mo period (November–December, 1980) shows that the correlation between these two rate indices is nonlinear. The predominance of small-celled phytoplankton in oligotrophic waters is explained, in part, by its higher μ, its higher nutrient assimilation rates, and the absence of its loss through sedimentation.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature cited
Bienfang, P. K.: Phytoplankton sinking rates in oligotrophic waters off Hawaii, USA. Mar. Biol. 61, 69–77 (1980)
Bienfang, P. K.: SETCOL — a technologically simple and reliable method for measuring phytoplankton sinking rates. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sciences 38, 1289–1294 (1981)
Bienfang, P. K. and J. P. Szyper: Phytoplankton dynamics in the subtropical Pacific Ocean off Hawaii. Deep-Sea Res. 28, 981–1000 (1981)
Falkowski, P. G.: Light-shade adaptation and assimilation numbers. J. Plankton Res. 3, 203–216 (1981)
Falkowski, P. G. and T. G. Owens: A technique for estimating phytoplankton division rates by using a DNA-binding fluorescent dye. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27, 776–782 (1982)
Fitzwater, S. E., G. A. Knauer and J. H. Martin: Metal contamination and its effect on primary production measurements. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27, 544–551 (1982)
Goldman, J. C., J. J. McCarthy and D. G. Peavy: Growth rate influence in the chemical composition of phytoplankton in oceanic waters. Nature, Lond. 279, 210–215 (1979)
Iverson, R. L., H. F. Bittaker and V. B. Myers: Loss of radiocarbon in direct use of Aquasol for liquid scintillation counting of solutions containing 14C−NaHCO3. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21, 756–758 (1976)
Jackson, G. A.: Phytoplankton growth and zooplankton grazing in oligotrophic oceans. Nature, Lond 284, 439–441 (1980)
Lean, D. R. S. and B. K. Burnison: An evaluation of errors in the 14C method of primary production measurement. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 917–928 (1979)
Peterson, B. J.: Aquatic primary productivity and the 14C−CO2 method: a history of the productivity problem. A. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 11, 359–385 (1980)
Sharp, J. H., M. J. Perry, E. H. Renger and R. W. Eppley: Phytoplankton rate processes in the oligotrophic waters of the central North Pacific Ocean. J. Plankton Res. 2, 335–353 (1980)
Sheldon, R. W. and W. H. Sutcliffe: Generation times of 3 h for Sargasso Sea microplankton determined by ATP analysis. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23, 1051–1055 (1978)
Solórzano, L.: Determination of ammonia in natural waters by the phenolhypochlorite method. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 799–801 (1969)
Strickland J. D. H. and T. R. Parsons: A practical handbook of seawater analysis, 2nd ed. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 167, 1–310 (1972)
Takahashi, M. and P. K. Bienfang: Size structure of phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis in subtropical Hawaiian waters. Mar. Biol. 76, 203–211 (1983)
Turpin, D. H. and P. J. Harrison: Cell size manipulation in natural marine, planktonic, diatom communities. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sciences 37, 1193–1195 (1980)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by N. D. Holland, La Jolla
Oceanic Institute Contribution No. 181.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bienfang, P.K., Takahashi, M. Ultraplankton growth rates in a subtropical ecosystem. Mar. Biol. 76, 213–218 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392737
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392737