Spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton and bacterioplanktonbiomass in Sanya Bay, northern South China Sea
ZHOU Weihua , LI Tao , CAI Chuanghua , HUANG Liangmin , WANG Hankui , XU Jirong , DONG Junde , ZHANG Si
DOI:
Received June 10, 2008,Revised August 07, 2008, Accepted , Available online
Volume 21,2009,Pages 595-603
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The composition of phytoplankton and the dynamics of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton biomass (PB and BB, respectively)
of Sanya Bay, South China Sea, were determined. A total of 168 species (67 genera) phytoplankton were identified, including
Bacillariophyta (diatom, 128 species), Pyrrophyta (35 species), Cyanophyta (3 species), and Chrysophyta (2 species). Annual average
abundance of phytoplankton was 1.2 107 cells/m3, with the highest abundance in autumn, and the lowest in summer. Annual average
diversity index (H0) and evenness (J) values were 3.96 and 0.70, respectively. Average chlorophyll-a was 2.5 mg/m3, and the average
PB was 124 mg C/m3, with the highest value in autumn. Surface PB was higher than the bottom, except for summer. Annual mean
bacterioplankton abundance and BB were 6.9 1011 cells/m3 and 13.8 mg C/m3, respectively. The highest BB was found in summer,
followed by winter, spring, and autumn. Surface BB was higher than bottom all year round. The spatial distribution patterns of PB
and BB were very similar with the highest biomass in the estuary, and decreased seaward, primarily due to the terrestrial input from
the Sanya River and influx of oceanic water. The main factor influencing PB and BB was dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). Other
factors such as temperature, which is above 22°C throughout the year, had a negligible impact. The correlation between BB and PB
was significant (P < 0.01). The annual average ratio of BB/PB was 0.12 (0.06–0.15). Phytoplankton primary production was one of the
most important factors in controlling the distribution of bacterioplankton.
