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A diel study of carbon flow in the pelagic zone of a small lava-lakelet on Marion Island (sub-Antarctic)

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Summary

Various biotic and abiotic measurements were made over a 48-h period in a small lava-lakelet on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Typical oligotrophic conditions prevailed, with low biomass values and rates of productivity for the phytoplankton and bacteria. The bacteria and phytoplankton were subject to heavy zooplankton grazing pressures, which in turn were responsible for rapid carbon turnover rates in the lavalakelet. Diel cycles were observed in bacterial production and algal photosynthesis, with higher rates during the day time. No definite pattern could be seen for the zooplankton, either in terms of filtering rates or migratory activities. Phytoplankton productivity and zooplankton grazing and respiration were responsible for the greatest flow of carbon. Zooplankton occupied the top of the intermediate food chain and dominated the “live” organic carbon content of the water. A cycling index of 44% indicated a fairly closed system where most components were important in determining the overall structure of the system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit for Limnology, University of the O.F.S., P.O. Box 339, 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    J. U. Grobbelaar, M. Steenkamp & M. E. Cawood

  2. National Institute for Water Research, CSIR, P. O. Box 395, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa

    A. C. Jarvis, R. D. Robarts & L. M. Sephton

Authors
  1. J. U. Grobbelaar
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  2. A. C. Jarvis
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  3. R. D. Robarts
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  4. L. M. Sephton
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  5. M. Steenkamp
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  6. M. E. Cawood
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Grobbelaar, J.U., Jarvis, A.C., Robarts, R.D. et al. A diel study of carbon flow in the pelagic zone of a small lava-lakelet on Marion Island (sub-Antarctic). Polar Biol 7, 115–124 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00570448

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00570448

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