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dc.contributor.authorFernandes, V.
dc.contributor.authorRodrigues, V.
dc.contributor.authorRamaiah, N.
dc.contributor.authorPaul, J.T.
dc.date.accessioned2009-01-20T08:31:54Z
dc.date.available2009-01-20T08:31:54Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.identifier.citationAquatic Ecology, vol.42(4); 511-519
dc.identifier.urihttp://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/2115
dc.description.abstractBacterioplankton abundance and production, chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations and primary production (PP) were measured from the equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) during northeast (NEM), southwest (SWM) and spring intermonsoon (SpIM) seasons from 1 degrees N to 5 degrees S along 83 degrees E. The average bacterial abundance was 0.52 plus or minus 0.29, 0.62 plus or minus 0.33 and 0.46 plus or minus 0.19 (x 10 sup(8) cells l sup(–1)), respectively during NEM, SWM and SpIM in the top 100 m. In the deep waters (200 m and below), the bacterial counts averaged approx. 0.35 plus or minus 0.14 x 10 sup(8) cells l sup(-1) in SWM and 0.39 plus or minus 0.16 x 10 sup(8) cells l sup(-1) in SpIM. The 0–120 m column integrated bacterial production (BP) ranged from 19 to 115 and from 10 to 51 mg C m sup(-2) d sup(-1) during NEM and SWM, respectively. Compared with many open ocean locations, bacterial abundance and production in this region are lower. The bacterial carbon production, however, is notably higher than that of phytoplankton PP (BP:PP ratio 102% in SWM and 188% in NEM). With perpetually low PP (NEM: 20, SWM: 18 and SpIM: 12 mg C m sup(-2) d sup(-1)) and Chl a concentration (NEM: 16.5, SWM: 15.0 and SpIM: 20.9 mg m sup(-2)), the observed bacterial abundance and production are pivotal in the trophodynamics of the EIO. Efficient assimilation and mineralization of available organics by bacteria in the euphotic zone might serve a dual role in the ultra-oligotrophic regions including EIO. Thus, bacteria probably sustain microheterotrophs (micro- and meso-zooplankton) through microbial loop. Further, rapid mineralization by bacteria will make essential nutrients available to autotrophs
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.rightsCopyright [2008]. All efforts have been made to respect the copyright to the best of our knowledge. Inadvertent omissions, if brought to our notice, stand for correction and withdrawal of document from this repository.
dc.subjectIndian Ocean
dc.subjectBacterioplankton
dc.subjectprimary production
dc.subjectphytoplankton
dc.subjecteuphotic zone
dc.subjectoligotrophic
dc.titleRelevance of bacterioplankton abundance and production in the oligotrophic equatorial Indian Ocean
dc.typeJournal Article


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