Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2010, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (1): 42-45.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2010.01.042cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2010.01.042

• Marine Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evaluation of cycle and effect of phosphorus in plankton ecosystem in the waters
of the Pearl River Estuary

LIU Sheng1, LI Tao1,2, WANG Gui-fen1,3, CAO Wen-xi1,3, SONG Xing-yu1, ZHANG Jian-lin1, YIN Jian-qiang1, HUANG Liang-min1   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS, Guangzhou 510301, China; 2. Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, CAS, Sanya 572000, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2008-11-02 Revised:2009-02-12 Online:2010-01-15 Published:2001-01-08

Abstract:

Available water volume for phytoplankton photosynthesis, effect of zooplankton grazing on the regeneration of phosphorus and bio-utilization of phosphorus in the waters of the Pearl River Estuary were studied by both field and laboratory experiments. Analysis of the data between 2002 and 2003 indicated that the available water volume for phytoplankton photo-synthesis changed seasonally, with about 9.7×104m3 in dry season and 6.6×104m3 in wet season. The same trend was also found in primary productivity, with approximate 36kg.d-1 in dry season and 31kg.d-1 in wet season, respectively. Phosphorus regen-eration could be accelerated by zooplankton grazing and could meet 1.5%-15.6% of phosphorus required by phytoplankton growth seasonally. Amount of phosphorus that directly released from zooplankton grazing was much higher than that from zooplankton biological turnover.

Key words:  Pearl River Estuary waters, plankton ecosystem, phosphorus cycle, effect