Productividad primaria del fitoplancton en la bahía de Mochima, Venezuela Translated title: Primary productivity of phytoplankton in Mochima Bay, Venezuela

Abstract

Se analizaron las fluctuaciones temporales y espaciales de los parámetros físicos, químicos, clorofila-a y productividad primaria durante periodos de surgencia y no surgencia en la bahía de Mochima, Venezuela. La columna de agua se dividió en cuatro estratos para determinar los parámetros físicos y químicos; y en dos estratos para determinar la clorofila-a y productividad primaria. La productividad primaria en no surgencia varió de 0 a 417 mg C·m-3·h-1 y en surgencia de 76 a 426 mg C·m-3·h-1. La concentración de clorofila-a en no surgencia fue de 1,11 a 8,57 mg clor-a·m-3 y en surgencia de 4,21 a 44,59 mg clor-a·m-3. La productividad primaria y la biomasa entre ambos periodos fue elevada, particularmente en surgencia. En ambos periodos los organismos fitoplanctónicos presentaron fuertes cambios temporales intradiarios que se manifestaron de acuerdo a eventos Lasker

Translated abstract

The temporal and spatial fiuctuations of physical and chemical parameters, chlorophyll-a, and primary productivity were analyzed during periods of upwelling and non-upwelling in Mochima Bay, Venezuela. The water column was divided into four strata for determining the physical and chemical parameters and into two strata for determining chlorophyll-a and primary productivity. Primary productivity varied from 0 to 417 mg C·m-3·h-1 under non-upwelling conditions and from 76 to 426 mg C·m-3·h-1 during upwelling. Chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from 1.11 to 8.57 mg clor-a·m-3 (non-upwelling) and from 4.21 to 44.59 mg clor-a·m-3 (upwelling). Primary productivity and biomass were elevated under both upwelling and non-upwelling conditions, particularly during upwelling. Sharp, temporal, daily changes were observed in phytoplanktonic organisms under both upwelling and non-upwelling conditions; these changes were manifested according to Lasker events