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Contribution of benthic microalgae to ice covered coastal ecosystems in northern Hokkaido, Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2005

A. McMinn
Affiliation:
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 252-77, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
T. Hirawake
Affiliation:
National Institute of Polar Research, 9-10, Kaga 1-Chome, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8515, Japan
T. Hamaoka
Affiliation:
Mombetsu City Council, Mombetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
H. Hattori
Affiliation:
Hokkaido Tokai University, 5-1-1-1 Minamisawa, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 005-8601, Japan
M. Fukuchi
Affiliation:
National Institute of Polar Research, 9-10, Kaga 1-Chome, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8515, Japan

Abstract

Benthic microalgal communities usually make a major contribution to the primary production of estuaries and shallow seas. Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used to investigate the contribution of benthic microalgae to the primary production of the Okhotsk Sea coast and Saroma Ko Lagoon in northern Hokkaido. In general the benthic communities had a relatively high biomass but low photosynthetic activity. This led to estimates of 29·2% and 64·5% for the benthic contributions for the 9 m and 3 m depth sites at Mombetsu and 13·1% for Saroma Ko. Sea ice algae provided the greatest contribution at Saroma Ko.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2005 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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