Characterization of phytoplankton functional types in the western Bay of Bengal: HPLC- and CHEMTAX-based approach

Abstract

This study investigates phytoplankton functional group variations in the western Bay of Bengal (WBoB) during the Spring Intermonsoon. Samples were collected from four cross-shore transects: Mahanadi (MN), Vamsadhara (VD), Godavari (GD), and Krishna (KS). East India Coastal Current and warm gyre influenced the southern transects (KS, GD), VD was experiencing moderate upwelling and MN was characterized by low salinity and oligotrophic conditions due to freshwater input. In response to hydrography, phytoplankton biomass and functional types differed within and between the transects. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) was spatially high in VD and low in MN. The subsurface Chlorophyll-a maxima (SSCM) was prominent and shallow in the MN and VD, compared to the southern transects. Total diagnostic pigments concentration was high in VD, followed by GD, KS and MN. Phytoplankton functional groups and each groups contribution to Chl-a was calculated through CHEmical Taxonomy (CHEMTAX). Diatoms and cyanophytes were the dominant functional types in the surface layers. Progressive shift from diatoms in the nearshore region to cyanophytes in the offshore was observed. The low saline and low-nutrient conditions were conducible for the growth of cyanophytes, while nutrient-rich optimum light layer of SSCM and upper layer of VD were favorable for diatoms. Cryptophytes contribution to Chl-a was higher in southern transects compared to the north. Prymnesiophytes and prasinophytes were high in the subsurface and deep layers could be due to their adaptions to light and nutrients. The present study highlights the significance of physical processes associated hydrography in structuring the phytoplankton functional types.