EDMED Details

General

Dataset Name

Hydrographic stations and phytoplankton studies in Ross Sea and Antarctic routes to/from New Zealand (1987-90)

Data Holding Centre

Universita' di Firenze - Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale

Time Period

from January 1987 to February 1988 (also December 1989 to February 1990)

Start Date

1987-01-01

End Date

1990-12-31

Project

Geographic Area

Geocoverage

Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea along the routes 50deg to 77deg S, 160deg to 180deg E

Geographic Box (south,north,west,east)

-77, 160, 180, -50

Sea Area

South Pacific Ocean

Southern Ocean

Observations

Parameters

Salinity of the water column

Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column

Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column

Phytoplankton taxonomic abundance in water bodies

Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column

Temperature of the water column

Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column

Ammonium concentration parameters in the water column

Acoustic backscatter in the water column

Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in the water column

Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column

Phytoplankton generic abundance in water bodies

Silicate concentration parameters in the water column

Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column

Instruments

fluorometers

CTD

radiometers

discrete water samplers

optical microscopes

spectrophotometers

Description

Summary

PNRA, Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide - The aim of our research in the Ross Sea was to obtain a first estimate of the phytoplankton biomass and to define the temporal and spatial distribution of the planktonic algal species, in relation to some environmental factors which, at this latitude, are relevant to their growth (i.e., presence of pack ice, high nutrient concentration, light). During the first oceanographic cruise, several observations indicated the occurrence of a bloom at the end of February, but its development was not followed due to bad weather conditions. In 1989/90 the temporal variations of phytoplankton biomass have been followed in Terra Nova Bay, with daily sampling at 3 stations, to show the period of the phytoplankton bloom and its relation to the melting of pack ice. Moreover, the spatial phytoplankton distributions on a large scale has been studied, along a route from the Pacific Ocean to the Ross Sea, towards New Zealand. During the first expedition data were collected in a grid of 40 stations, extending 50x40 miles in front of Terra Nova Bay. During the 2nd expedition data were collected daily at 3 neritic stations in Terra Nova Bay, in 27 stations from 62deg S to 75deg S, and continuous sampling of the surface water from 45deg S to 75deg S. Measurements of temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen and pH were carried out by means of a multiparametric probe. Downwelling, upwelling and scalar PAR quantic irradiance were measured by means of photoprobe equipped with LI-COR sensors. Analysis of phytoplankton pigments (Jeffrey and Humphrey, 1975, Biochem. Physiol. Plant. 167: 191-194; Lorenzen, 1967, Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 343-346), nutrients (Strickland and Parsons, 1972, Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 167) and phytoplankton density (Hasle, 1978, Unesco Monogr. Oceanogr. Methods 6: 88-96) and species composition were carried out on each sample. Data are stored as time series at each of the 3 stations in Terra Nova Bay and as depth profiles and maps for the 2 oceanographic cruises.

Originator

Universita' di Firenze - Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale

References

Availability

Availability

by negotiation

Organization

Universita' di Firenze - Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale

Contact

Mori G.

Address

Universita' di Firenze - Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale

Firenze

50121

Italy

sdn-userdesk@seadatanet.org

http://www.unifi.it/unifi/bioveg/

Administration

Local identifier

1213

Creation Date

2014-10-02

Revision Date

2013-07-25