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1.
The plankton food web structure and trophodynamics in the neritic area of Sagami Bay were investigated from January 2003 to
December 2005, based on abundance, biomass, production rate and nutritional requirements of pico- (0.2–2 μm), nano- (2–20
μm), micro- (20–200 μm) and mesoplankton (>200 μm: mainly copepods CI-CVI) at 0–10 m depth. The average carbon biomass of
the total plankton community was higher in spring and summer (1.452 and 1.466 g C m−2, respectively) than in winter and autumn (0.676 and 0.686 g C m−2, respectively). The average values of primary production and of production rate and food requirement of heterotrophic organisms
were higher in summer than in other seasons. During the study period the biomass, production rate and food requirement of
small heterotrophs (i.e. bacteria: BA; heterotrophic nanoflagellates: HNF; microzooplankton: MZ) were much higher than those
of copepod secondary (CSP) and tertiary producers (CTP), indicating that the microbial food web was the main route of carbon
flow from phytoplankton (PP) to CSP and CTP, rather than the grazing food chain. In particular, during summer and autumn the
biomass of pico- and nano-size PP plus BA was greater than that of micro-size PP, suggesting the high prevalence of the microbial
food web (pico-/nanophytoplankton/BA-HNF/MZ-copepods). During winter and spring, the biomass of micro-size PP was greater
than that of pico- and nano-size PP plus BA, suggesting that the indirect route (microphytoplankton-MZ-copepods) probably
prevailed, while the microbial food web might be important. 相似文献
2.
To improve our understanding of the trophic link between micro-zooplankton and copepods in Gyeonggi Bay, Yellow Sea, the diet composition, ingestion rates, and prey selectivity of Acartia hongi, known as the most abundant and widespread copepod species, was estimated by conducting in situ bottle incubation throughout the different seasons. The results showed that A. hongi preferentially grazed on ciliate and heterotrophic dinoflagellate of a size ranging from 20 to 100 μm rather than phytoplankton. Although micro-zooplankton comprised only an average 13.7% of the total carbon available in the natural prey pool, micro-zooplankton accounted for >70% of the total carbon ration ingested by A. hongi throughout the year, except for winter diatom blooming periods when A. hongi obtained about 60% of its carbon ration from phytoplankton. Our results demonstrated that A. hongi modified their diet composition and feeding rates in response to change in composition and size of prey available to them, and that A. hongi preferentially ingested micro-zooplankton over phytoplankton. Feeding activity of A. hongi could therefore affect the species composition and size structure of natural plankton communities in this study area, particularly the micro-zooplankton. Strongly selective feeding and high grazing pressure by A. hongi on micro-zooplankton shows the role of trophic coupling between copepods and the microbial food web in the pelagic ecosystem of Gyeonggi Bay. 相似文献
3.
于2007年3—4月在黄海中部海域采用流式细胞术研究了春季水华过程中聚球藻、微微型真核浮游生物和异养细菌的生物量变化。聚球藻和微微真核型浮游生物的生物量与叶绿素a浓度变化基本呈现相反的趋势,在水华前期较高,水华期迅速下降,直至水华后期又有所升高。异养细菌在整个水华过程中变化较小,生物量在水华期最高,与水柱叶绿素a浓度呈极显著正相关(r=0.319,p<0.01)。水华期这三类微微型浮游生物对浮游植物总碳生物量的贡献很低。纤毛虫和鞭毛虫捕食可能是导致聚球藻和微微型真核浮游生物在水华期生物量降低的主要原因。 相似文献
4.
Chang-Rae Lee Keun-Hyung Choi Hyung-Ku Kang Eun Jin Yang Jae Hoon Noh Dong Han Choi 《Journal of Oceanography》2012,68(3):473-482
This study examined the biomass structure of autotrophic and heterotrophic plankton along a trophic gradient in the northwestern Pacific Ocean in an attempt to understand planktonic food web structure. Autotrophic biomass exceeded that of heterotrophic organisms in all sampling regions, but with lesser contribution to total planktonic biomass at stations of higher phytoplankton biomass, including the northern East China Sea, compared to the regions of lower phytoplankton biomass. The proportion of the biomass of heterotrophic bacteria, nanoflagellates (HNF), and dinoflagellates (HDF) relative to that of phytoplankton was all inversely related to phytoplankton biomass, but positive relationships were observed for both ciliates and mesozooplankton. Mesozooplankton biomass inclined greater than phytoplankton along the gradient of phytoplankton biomass, with biomass rise being most closely associated with ciliate and HDF biomass and, to a lesser degree, with large phytoplankton (>3?μm). Both bacteria and picophytoplankton were significantly and positively related to the biomass ratio of mesozooplankton to the sum of HDF and ciliates (i.e., proxy of mesozooplankton predation on protozoans), but no positive relationship was apparent either for HNF or for large phytoplankton. Such relationships may result from predation relief on lower food webs associated with mesozooplankton feeding on protistan plankton. 相似文献
5.
A study was carried out to investigate the grazing pressure of heterotrophic nanoflagellates(HNF) on bacteria assemblages in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM) area in October, 2006. The results show that the HNF abundance ranges from 303 to 1 388 mL-1, with a mean of 884 mL-1. The HNF biomass is equivalent to 10.6%–115.6% of that of the bacteria. The maximum abundance of the HNF generally occurred in the upper 30 m water layer, with a vertical distribution pattern of surface layer abundance greater than middle layer abundance, then bottom layer abundance. The hydrological data show that the YSCWM is located in the northeastern part of the study area, typically 40 m beneath the surface. A weak correlation is found between the abundances of HNF and bacteria in both the YSCWM and its above water layer. One-way ANOVA analysis reveals that the abundance of HNF and bacteria differs between inside the YSCWM and in the above water mass. The ingestion rates of the HNF on bacteria was 8.02±3.43 h-1 in average. The grazing rate only represented 22.75%±6.91% of bacterial biomass or 6.55%+4.24% of bacterial production, implying that the HNF grazing was not the major factor contributing to the bacterial loss in the YSCWM areas. 相似文献
6.
北部湾北部海域水体异养细菌的时空分布特征研究 总被引：2，自引：1，他引：1
为探讨环境因素对异养细菌丰度的影响，2016年9月至2017年8月通过月度航次调查对北部湾北部海域异养细菌丰度的时空分布特征进行了系统研究。结果表明，调查海区异养细菌丰度介于（2.75~56.86）×105 cell/mL，平均值为（11.01±6.31）×105 cell/mL。各季节细菌丰度从高至低依次为:夏季、春季、冬季、秋季。异养细菌丰度由近岸海域向西南深水区方向逐渐降低，在近岸浅水区垂直分布均匀，在水深大于20 m的海区出现季节性分层现象:表层细菌丰度较高，底层细菌丰度较低。主成分分析显示温度对异养细菌时空分布有重要影响，秋、冬季异养细菌丰度与温度呈显著负相关，在春、夏季呈显著正相关。细菌丰度与盐度呈显著负相关，说明海水盐度变化是细菌时空分布重要影响因素。异养细菌丰度与叶绿素a和溶解氧含量呈显著正相关，表明浮游植物初级生产过程影响了异养细菌的时空分布。在秋、冬和春3季异养细菌丰度与营养盐水平呈显著负相关，二者关系受浮游植物生物量间接影响。异养细菌时空分布差异取决于环境条件的变化，温度、盐度、叶绿素a和溶解氧含量是影响异养细菌丰度分布的主要因素。 相似文献
7.
Grazing impacts of calanoid copepods on size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass [chlorophyll (Chl)-a] were measured in Jangmok Bay, Geoje Island, Korea, monthly from November 2004 to October 2005. The ingestion rate of calanoid copepods on total phytoplankton biomass ranged between 1 and 215 ng Chl-a copepod?1 day?1 during bottle incubations. Results indicated that microphytoplankton (> 20 μm) was the primary food source for calanoid copepods in grazing experiments on 3 phytoplankton size categories (< 3 μm, 3–20 μm, and > 20 μm). The ingestion rate on microphytoplankton showed a significant increase (r = 0.93, p < 0.01) with Chl-a concentration. Nanophytoplankton (3–20 μm) showed a negative ingestion rate from June 2005 to October 2005, but the reason is not completely understood. Calanoid copepods were unable to feed efficiently on picophytoplankton (< 3 μm) due to unfavorable size. Calanoid copepods removed between 0.1% and 27.7% (average, 3.6 ± 15.8%) of the phytoplankton biomass daily during grazing experiments. Grazing pressure was high in winter and early spring (January–March: 15.6–27.7%), while low in summer (June–August: ?33.1–0.0%) and autumn (September–November: ?1.4–5.1%). Results suggest that calanoid copepods play an important role in controlling the biomass and size structure of phytoplankton in winter and early spring. 相似文献
8.
The biomass, elemental composition, and rates of ingestion and excretion by macrozoo‐plankon associated with the upwelling plume off the north‐west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, were investigated in March‐April 1983. Ingestion and excretion rates of the major zoo‐plankton species were combined with abundance data to determine the spatial and temporal variability which may influence phytoplankton dynamics in the plume system. Zooplankton biomass near Cape Kahurangi was dominated by small copepods like Acartia ensifera (up to 60%). In the South Tar‐anaki Bight, larval and adult forms of the euphau‐siid Nyctiphanes australis commonly contributed up to 60% of biomass. However, the carbon ingestion and ammonia excretion patterns of N. australis were spatially displaced from those of the total zooplankton community in the South Taranaki Bight because of higher weight‐specific metabolic rates for the smaller copepods. Close to the focus of the upwelling near the Kahurangi Shoals, grazing pressure on the phytoplankton was high, but as the upwelled water was advected into the Taranaki Bight, carbon production exceeded utilisation by zooplankton. Relatively high rates of ammonia excretion were also associated with peak zooplankton biomass near the Kahurangi Shoals and in the eastern Taranaki Bight. 相似文献
9.
《Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers》2007,54(7):1025-1041
Microzooplankton species composition and grazing rates on phytoplankton were investigated along a transect between ∼46 and 67°S, and between 140 and 145°E. Experiments were conducted in summer between November 2nd and December 14th in 2001. The structure of the microbial food web changed considerably along the transect and was associated with marked differences in the physical and chemical environment encountered in the different water masses and frontal regions. On average microzooplankton grazing experiments indicated that 91%, 102%, and 157%, (see results) of the phytoplankton production would be grazed in the <200, <20 and <2 μm size fractions, respectively, indicating microzooplankton grazing was potentially constraining phytoplankton populations (<200 μm) along most of the transect. Small ciliates in general and especially oligotrich species declined in importance from the relatively warm, Southern Subtropical Front waters (6.8 μg C/L) to the colder waters of the southern branch of the Polar Front (S-PF), (∼0.5 μg C/L) before increasing again near the Antarctic landmass. Large changes in microzooplankton dominance were observed, with heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), ciliates and larger dinoflagellates having significant biomass in different water masses. HNF were the dominant grazers when chlorophyll a was low in areas such as the Inter-Polar Frontal Zone (IPFZ), while in areas of elevated biomass such as the S-PF and Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current (SACC), a mix of copepod nauplii and large heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates tended to dominate the grazing community. In the S-PF and SACC water masses the tight coupling observed between the microzooplankton grazers and phytoplankton populations over most of the rest of the transect was relaxed. In these regions grazing was low on the >20 μm size fraction of chlorophyll a, which dominated the biomass, while smaller diatoms and nanoplankton in the <20 μm size fraction were still heavily grazed. The lack of grazing pressure on large phytoplankton contributes to this region's potential to export carbon with larger cells known to have higher sinking rates. 相似文献
10.
The influence of the phytoplankton size composition in mediating the trophic interactions between the bacteria, phytoplankton, microheterotrophs (<200 μm) and mesozooplankton (>200 μm) was investigated on three occasions in a warm temperate, temporarily open/closed estuary situated along the southern African coastline. Results of the investigation indicated that the microheterotrophs represented the most important consumers of bacteria and chlorophyll (chl)-a <5.0 μm. The low impact of the mesozooplankton on the bacteria and chl-a <5.0 μm during the study appeared to be related to the inability of the larger zooplankton to feed efficiently on small particles. During those periods when total chl-a concentration was dominated by picophytoplankton (<2.0 μm) and microphytoplankton (>20 μm), mesozooplankton were unable to feed efficiently on the chl-a due to feeding constraints. In response to the unfavorable size structure of the phytoplankton assemblages, mesozooplankton appeared to consume the microheterotrophs. The negative impact of the mesozooplankton on the microheterotrophs resulted in a decrease in the impact of these organisms on the bacteria and the chl-a <5.0 μm. This result is consistent with the predator-prey cascades. On the other hand, when the total chl-a was dominated by nanophytoplankton (2–20 μm), mesozooplankton were able to feed directly on the phytoplankton. Results of the study indicate that size structure of the phytoplankton assemblages within estuaries plays an important role in mediating the trophic interactions between the various components of the plankton food web. 相似文献
11.
Copepod feeding in a coastal area of active tidal mixing: diel and monthly variations of grazing impacts on phytoplankton biomass 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
This study examined monthly feeding rates and grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass, as well as diel feeding rhythms of four key copepod species in a tidally well mixed estuary (Asan Bay, Korean Peninsula). Monthly ingestion rates estimated based on gut pigment analysis were closely associated with their peak densities, but not with phytoplankton biomass, implying high ingestion may be related to reproductive output for population growth. The three smaller copepods, Acartia hongi, Acartia pacifica and Paracalanus parvus, showed feeding preference for smaller phytoplankton (<20 μm) with higher clearance rates, whereas the larger Calanus sinicus preferred larger phytoplankton. Acartia pacifica and P. parvus showed distinct increased nocturnal feeding rates as measured with gut fluorescence, whereas A. hongi showed no significant day–night differences. Copepod diel feeding patterns were not associated with food quantity, and endogenous physiological rhythm might be hypothesized as responsible for the observed diel feeding patterns. Grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass by the four copepods in the estuary was on average 8% (range 0.2–29.8%) of the phytoplankton standing stock, similar to values reported in other coastal waters. Very high copepod abundances but low daily carbon ration (<20% for all copepods) provided by feeding on phytoplankton indicate that copepods also grazed on other non‐phytoplankton foods in Asan Bay. 相似文献
12.
Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration has an important economic effect in coastal and marine environments on fisheries resources and marine aquaculture development. Monthly climatologies the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) derived chl-a from February 1998 to August 2004 around Funka Bay were used to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of chl-a concentrations. SeaWiFS-derived suspended sediment, MODIS derived sea surface temperature (SST), solar radiation and wind data were also analyzed. Results showed two distinct chlorophyll blooms in spring and autumn. Chl-a concentrations were relatively low (<0.3 mg m−3) in the bay during summer, with high concentrations occurring along the coast, particularly near Yakumo and Shiraoi. In spring, chl-a concentrations increased, and a large (>2 mg m−3) phytoplankton bloom occurred. The spatial and temporal patterns were further confirmed by empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. About 83.94% of the variability could be explained by the first three modes. The first chl-a mode (77.93% of the total variance) explained the general seasonal cycle and quantified interannual variability in the bay. The spring condition was explained by the second mode (3.89% of the total variance), while the third mode (2.12% of the total variance) was associated with autumn condition. Local forcing such as the timing of intrusion of Oyashio water, wind condition and surface heating are the mechanisms that controlled the spatial and temporal variations of chlorophyll concentrations. Moreover, the variation of chlorophyll concentration along the coast seemed to be influenced by suspended sediment caused by resuspension or river discharge. 相似文献
13.
中型浮游动物因摄食微型浮游动物,释放了微型浮游动物对浮游植物的摄食压力,这种营养级联效应会增加浮游植物丰度和降低中型浮游动物对浮游植物的摄食率,从而弱化浮游生物网营养传递过程中的下行控制作用。本研究在实验室模拟了食物链中肋骨条藻-裸甲藻-双毛纺锤水蚤的营养传递过程,发现在中肋骨条藻低生物量时,双毛纺锤水蚤偏好于选择摄食裸甲藻;高生物量时,双毛纺锤水蚤偏好选择摄食中肋骨条藻。营养传递过程中存在正的级联效应(0.018~0.12 d^-1),级联效应的大小与裸甲藻的摄食率和双毛纺锤水蚤对裸甲藻的摄食选择指数呈现显著的正相关关系。双毛纺锤水蚤对中肋骨条藻的直接摄食死亡率大于营养级联效应,从而导致中肋骨条藻生物量的降低。因此,营养级联效应对中型浮游动物摄食浮游植物的影响要弱于中型浮游动物的直接摄食作用。 相似文献
14.
《African Journal of Marine Science》2013,35(1):515-525
Depth-integrated chlorophyll a in the upper 30 m is used as an index of phytoplankton biomass. Mean concentrations of chlorophyll a (1971–1989) were calculated for half-degree rectangles of latitude and longitude within the 500 m isobath off the South African coast. These data were used to estimate median and mean concentrations and coefficients of variance for different seasons and geographical strata (i.e. inshore and offshore regions of the continental shelf along the West, Cape and South coasts). Offshore, longshore and seasonal differences in the distribution of phytoplankton biomass in the Benguela/Agulhas system were tested for statistical significance. 相似文献
15.
To investigate the seasonal variation and community structure of nano- and microzooplankton in Gyeonggi Bay of the Yellow Sea, the abundance and carbon biomass of nano- and microzooplankton were evaluated at 10-day intervals from January 1997 to December 1999. Four major groups of nano- and microzooplankton communities were classified: heterotrophic ciliates, heterotrophic dinoflagellates (HDF), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), and copepod nauplii. The total carbon biomass of nano- and microzooplankton ranged from 10.2 to 168.8 μg C L−1 and was highest during or after phytoplankton blooms. Nano- and microzooplankton communities were composed of heterotrophic ciliates (7.4–81.4%; average 41.7% of total biomass), HDF (0.1–70.3%; average 26.1% of total biomass), copepod nauplii (1.6–70.6%; average 20.7% of total biomass), and HNF (0.8–59.5%; average 11.5% of total biomass). The relative contribution of individual components in the nano- and microzooplankton communities appeared to differ by seasons. Ciliates accounted for the most major component of nano- and microzooplankton communities, except during summer and phytoplankton blooming seasons, whereas HDF were more dominant during the phytoplankton blooming seasons. The abundance and biomass of nano- and microzooplankton generally followed the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton. The size and community distribution of nano- and microzooplankton was positively correlated with size-fractionated phytoplankton. The carbon requirement of microzooplankton ranged from 60 to 83% of daily primary production, and was relatively high when phytoplankton biomass was high. Therefore, our result suggests that the seasonal variation in the community and size composition of nano- and microzooplankton appears to be primarily governed by phytoplankton size and concentration as a food source, and their abundance may greatly affect trophic dynamics by controlling the seasonal abundance of phytoplankton. 相似文献
16.
2006年10月在黄海冷水团海域的三个站点开展了微型异养鞭毛虫、异养细菌和蓝细菌的密度和生物量调查,进行了微型异养鞭毛虫的现场摄食实验,通过荧光标记细菌法和消化系数法获得该海区微型异养鞭毛虫对异养细菌和蓝细菌的摄食率,并估算了微型异养鞭毛虫对异养细菌和蓝细菌现存量及生产力的摄食压。结果显示,微型异养鞭毛虫、异养细菌和蓝细菌的密度分别为0.36×103~1.13×103,0.39×106~1.13×106和0.04×104~3.74×104cells/cm3,温跃层以上明显高于底层。微型异养鞭毛虫对异养细菌的摄食率为5.33~14.89个/(HF·h),对蓝细菌的摄食率为0.26×102~23.10×10-2cells/(HF·h),摄食率随深度而下降。微型异养鞭毛虫每天能消耗9.27%~33.08%的异养细菌现存量和8.12%~16.09%的蓝细菌现存量。同时,微型异养鞭毛虫对异养细菌和蓝细菌的日摄食量各占它们生产力的2.66%~13.10%和8.12%~16.09%。研究表明微型异养鞭毛虫的摄食可能不是秋季黄海冷水团海域浮游细菌及其生产力的主归宿。 相似文献
17.
Yuichiro Yamada Shinnosuke Kaga Yoshimasa Kaga Kimiaki Naiki Shiho Watanabe 《Journal of Oceanography》2017,73(1):11-24
Ofunato Bay was a semi-closed area because of the breakwater effect at the entrance; however, the breakwater was destroyed by a massive tsunami generated by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake. Consequently, the physical environment of Ofunato Bay has been changed significantly, i.e., the modification of the stratified structure of seawater inside the bay and the intermittent intrusion of seawater outside the bay. These alterations of physical environment are considered to have an influence on the chemical and biological environment in Ofunato Bay. To elucidate the influence of the tsunami on the aquatic environment, we measured dissolved nutrients, chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen concentrations, and heterotrophic bacteria abundance inside and outside of Ofunato Bay from 2012 to 2014, and compared these data with those obtained before the earthquake. As compared with before the earthquake, significant changes after the earthquake were (1) decrease of ammonium and phosphate concentrations, (2) increase of chlorophyll a concentration, (3) increase of dissolved oxygen concentration in the bottom, and (4) decrease of heterotrophic bacteria abundance. The collapse of the breakwater and consequential enhanced water exchange were considered to have brought the decrease of nutrient concentration inside the bay. Furthermore, washout of shellfish mariculture rafts by the tsunami decreased the shellfish biodeposits along with the elution of nutrients by heterotrophic bacteria. Decrease of cultivated shellfish further caused a decline in feeding pressure on phytoplankton and, subsequently, increased the phytoplankton biomass that contributed to the decrease of nutrients inside the bay. 相似文献
18.
Abundance, variability, and potential grazing impact of planktonic ciliates in the open subaratic Pacific Ocean 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
The abundance and variability of planktonic ciliates in the open subarctic Pacific were determined during four month-long cruises in 1987 and 1988. The ciliate community, numerically dominated by relatively small aloricate choreotrichs, was comparable in abundance to communities in a range of oceanic and neritic environments, including waters with much higher average chlorophyll concentrations. Integrated (0–80m) ciliate biomass was typically 100–200mgC m−2, although 3- to 4-fold higher levels were observed on two occasions in spring. Ciliate community biomass, in general, was dominated by large (>20μm width) individuals, although in August 1988 the biomass of smaller cells was as great or greater. The estimated grazing impact of the ciliate community averaged 20% of the primary production. On one instance in May 1988, however, a large biomass of ciliates led to an estimated grazing impact equivalent to 55% of phytoplankton production. While ciliates may be major phytoplankton grazers during sporadic ciliate “blooms”, dino- and other heterotrophic flagellates, which make up the bulk of microheterotroph biomass, must normally be of equal or greater importance as herbivores in this ocean region. 相似文献
19.
Goh Onitsuka Akihiko Morimoto Tetsutaro Takikawa Atsushi Watanabe Masatoshi Moku Yutaka Yoshikawa Tetsuo Yanagi 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2009,81(3):401-408
The relationship between island-induced cyclonic eddies and chlorophyll a (chl-a) was investigated using field data and satellite images in the eastern channel of the Tsushima Straits. The maximum chl-a concentration around the leeward eddy of the Tsushima Islands was two or three times greater than that of outside the eddy. Two different mechanisms of chl-a enhancement associated with island-induced cyclonic eddies were found in the post-bloom periods. In summer, when nutrients were depleted in the surface layer, eddy pumping increased the nutrient supply in the euphotic zone, resulting in enhanced chl-a around the shallow thermocline near the eddy core. In late autumn, when the mixed layer deepened over the euphotic zone, the mixed layer depth became shallow due to the doming effect of the cyclonic eddy, therefore, the improved irradiance condition led to an increase in the chl-a concentration in the surface mixed layer. Nighttime satellite visible images showed a number of fishing vessels in the lee region of the Tsushima Islands, implying that the enhanced phytoplankton biomass may have resulted in good feeding conditions for fishes and squids in the Tsushima Straits. 相似文献
20.
M. Brady Olson Suzanne L. Strom 《Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography》2002,49(26)
Using the seawater dilution technique, we measured phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing rates within and outside of the 1999 Bering Sea coccolithophorid bloom. We found that reduced microzooplankton grazing mortality is a key component in the formation and temporal persistence of the Emiliania huxleyi bloom that continues to proliferate in the southeast Bering Sea. Total chlorophyll a (Chl a) at the study sites ranged from 0.40 to 4.45 μg C l−1. Highest phytoplankton biomass was found within the bloom, which was a mixed assemblage of diatoms and E. huxleyi. Here, 75% of the Chl a came from cells >10 μm and was attributed primarily to the high abundance of the diatom Nitzschia spp. Nutrient-enhanced total phytoplankton growth rates averaged 0.53 d−1 across all experimental stations. Average growth rates for >10 μm and <10 μm cells were nearly equal, while microzooplankton grazing varied among stations and size fractions. Grazing on phytoplankton cells >10 μm ranged from 0.19 to 1.14 d−1. Grazing on cells <10 μm ranged from 0.02 to 1.07 d−1, and was significantly higher at non-bloom (avg. 0.71 d−1) than at bloom (avg. 0.14 d−1) stations. Averaged across all stations, grazing by microzooplankton accounted for 110% and 81% of phytoplankton growth for >10 and <10 μm cells, respectively. These findings contradict the paradigm that microzooplankton are constrained to diets of nanophytoplankton and strongly suggests that their grazing capability extends beyond boundaries assumed by size-based models. Dinoflagellates and oligotrich ciliates dominated the microzooplankton community. Estimates of abundance and biomass for microzooplankton >10 μm were higher than previously reported for the region, ranging from 22,000 to 227,430 cells l−1 and 18 to 164 μg C l−1. Highest abundance and biomass occurred in the bloom and corresponded with increased abundance of the large ciliate Laboea, and the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Protoperidinium and Gyrodinium spp. Despite low grazing rates on phytoplankton <10 μm within the bloom, the abundance and biomass of small microzooplankton (<20 μm) capable of grazing E. huxleyi was relatively high at bloom stations. This body of evidence, coupled with observed high grazing rates on large phytoplankton cells, suggests the phytoplankton community composition was strongly regulated by herbivorous activity of microzooplankton. Because grazing behavior deviated from size-based model predictions and was not proportional to microzooplankton biomass, alternate mechanisms that dictate levels of grazing activity were in effect in the southeastern Bering Sea. We hypothesize that these mechanisms included morphological or chemical signaling between phytoplankton and micrograzers, which led to selective grazing pressure. 相似文献