Phytoplankton in the waters of the Ieodo Ocean Research Station determined by microscopy, flow cytometry, HPLC pigment data and remote sensing

Abstract

Phytoplankton community structure and distribution pattern in the surface water around the Ieodo Ocean Research Station were investigated during seven cruises carried out from July, 2003 to October, 2004. Samples were analyzed using various tools including a microscope, flow cytometer, and HPLC. Satellite images were used to analyze spatio-temporal phytoplankton biomass distribution. SeaWiFS chlorophyll a (chl a) images showed that spring blooms occurred in April-May near the Ieodo Station, and these waters were under the influence of Changjiang Dilute Water during July-October. Also, during the July-October period, HPLC pigments data showed increasing zeaxanthin concentrations, a marker pigment of cyanobacteria whereas increasing concentrations of various other pigments such as fucoxanthin, peridinin, prasinoxanthin, alloxanthin, 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin and chlorophyll b were noted during spring blooms. Such pigment marker data were consistent with picoplankton data analyzed by flow cytometer and nano-microplankton analyzed by microscope. The pigment-CHEMTAX method was used to drive the phytoplankton group apportioned chl a. Diatoms, chlorophytes, dinoflagellates, and cryptophytes comprised 25.8, 20.7, 15.9, and 14.1%, respectively, of the total chl a in May. Average cyanobacteria concentrations in July-October contributed 25.4% of the total concentration. This was the highest percent contribution and was followed by chlorophytes, diatoms, and prymnesiophytes. This study discusses results from various methods, similarities and differences in the results among those methods, and the application range of the results from different analytical methods. Also, the study reveals a detailed phytolpankton community structure in the waters around the Ieodo Station, and suggests future monitoring considerations in relation to cell morphology, ecology and diversity factors according to taxonomic groups.