Size structure and production of phytoplankton community and carbon pathways channelling in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean)

摘要: Abstract In the frame of a multidisciplinary international joint effort, supported by CIESM, phytoplankton composition, distribution and activity in summer late autumn Southern Tyrrhenian Sea were investigated. The main aim study was to obtain preliminary characterization autotrophic community structure poorly investigated complex basin during two contrasting seasonal conditions (stratification vs homogeneity). On both occasions biomass, as chlorophyll a, low euphotic layer water column (8.9 mg m−2 July 10.7 mg m−2 December), with clear dominance pico-phytoplanktonic component (64% 76%, respectively), pronounced Deep Chlorophyll Maximum. Interestingly, primary production higher December (429 mg C m−2 d−1) than (273 mg C m−2 d−1), again major contribution pico-class seasons (90% 52% summer, respectively). dominant small size classes total photosynthetic efficiency their fast carbon turnover time within hint at preferential pathway through small-sized components food web that contrasts traditional views typical temperate Western Mediterranean Sea.