Coccolithophore species as indicators of surface oceanographic conditions in the vicinity of Azores islands

Silva, Alexandra A.; Brotas, Vanda; Valente, A.; Sá, C.; Diniz, Tania; Patarra, Rita F.; Álvaro, Nuno V.; Neto, Ana I.

Publication

Coccolithophore species as indicators of surface oceanographic conditions in the vicinity of Azores islands

2013-01Journal article

dc.contributor.author	Silva, Alexandra A.
dc.contributor.author	Brotas, Vanda
dc.contributor.author	Valente, A.
dc.contributor.author	Sá, C.
dc.contributor.author	Diniz, Tania
dc.contributor.author	Patarra, Rita F.
dc.contributor.author	Álvaro, Nuno V.
dc.contributor.author	Neto, Ana I.
dc.date.accessioned	2013-06-27T11:57:16Z
dc.date.available	2013-06-27T11:57:16Z
dc.date.issued	2013-01
dc.description	Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.	en
dc.description.abstract	During summer 2008 and spring 2009, surface oceanographic surveys were carried out around three islands of the Azores archipelago (Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria) to assess the phytoplankton distribution and associated physico-chemical processes. The Azores archipelago is a major feature in the biogeochemical North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (NAST) province although its influence on the productivity of the surrounding ocean is poorly known. Surface phytoplankton was studied by microscopy and HPLC (High Precision Liquid Chromatography). The mean values for biomass proxy Chlorophyll a (Chla) ranged from 0.04 to 0.55 μg Lˉ¹ (Chla maximum = 0.86 μg Lˉ¹) and coccolithophores were the most abundant group, followed by small flagellates, Cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates being the least abundant group. The distribution of phytoplankton and coccolithophore species in particular presented seasonal differences and was consistent with the nearshore influence of warm subtropical waters from the south Azores current and colder subpolar waters from the north. The satellite-derived circulation patterns showed southward cold water intrusions off Terceira and northward warm water intrusions off Santa Maria. The warmer waters signal was confirmed by the subtropical coccolithophore assemblage, being Discosphaera tubifera a constant presence under these conditions. The regions of enhanced biomass, either resulting from northern cooler waters or from island induced processe, were characterized by the presence of Emiliania huxleyi. Diatoms and dinoflagellates indicated coastal and regional processe of nutrient enrichment and areas of physical stability, respectively.	en
dc.identifier.citation	Silva A, Brotas V, Valente A, Diniz T, Sá C, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV & & Neto AI (2013). "Coccolithophore species as indicators of surface oceanographic conditions in the vicinity of Azores islands". «Estuarine, Costal and Shelf Science», 118: 50-59, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2012.12.010.	en
dc.identifier.issn	0272-7714 (Print)
dc.identifier.issn	1096-0015 (Online)
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/2102
dc.language.iso	eng	por
dc.peerreviewed	yes	por
dc.publisher	Elsevier	en
dc.relation.publisherversion	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2012.12.010	por
dc.subject	Coccolithophores	en
dc.subject	Phytoplankton	en
dc.subject	HPLC Pigments	en
dc.subject	Azores Archipelago	en
dc.subject	Atlantic Ocean	en
dc.title	Coccolithophore species as indicators of surface oceanographic conditions in the vicinity of Azores islands	en
dc.type	journal article
dspace.entity.type	Publication
oaire.citation.conferencePlace	NA	por
oaire.citation.endPage	59	por
oaire.citation.startPage	50	por
oaire.citation.title	Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science	en
oaire.citation.volume	118	por
rcaap.rights	openAccess	por
rcaap.type	article	por