TY - JOUR
T1 - Microzooplankton grazing rate in Ensenada of La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
AU - Esqueda-Escárcega, Gabriela María
AU - Hernández-Trujillo, Sergio
AU - Aceves-Medina, Gerardo
AU - Futema-Jiménez, Sonia
AU - Hernández-Alfonso, José Reyes
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - Phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing rates in situ, were studied in a fixed sampling station from October 2007 to August 2008, at the Ensenada de La Paz, Mexico, using the dilution method. The apparent growth rate of phytoplankton was higher in December (1.33 d-1) and lower in October (0.35 d-1). The grazing rate was highest in April (0.86 d-1) and minimum in February and August (0.38 d-1). Grazing pressure, measured as the percentage of potential production removed (% PPR) varied between 28 and 76%. The relationship between phytoplankton growth and grazing rate indicates that chlorophyll-a production is consumed by approximately 50%, involving other processes that cause mortality of phytoplankton, as sedimentation rate and mesozooplankton grazing. The finding of moderate grazing in autumn and a clear growth and consumption in the winter are features that require monitoring in larger temporal and spatial scales.
AB - Phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing rates in situ, were studied in a fixed sampling station from October 2007 to August 2008, at the Ensenada de La Paz, Mexico, using the dilution method. The apparent growth rate of phytoplankton was higher in December (1.33 d-1) and lower in October (0.35 d-1). The grazing rate was highest in April (0.86 d-1) and minimum in February and August (0.38 d-1). Grazing pressure, measured as the percentage of potential production removed (% PPR) varied between 28 and 76%. The relationship between phytoplankton growth and grazing rate indicates that chlorophyll-a production is consumed by approximately 50%, involving other processes that cause mortality of phytoplankton, as sedimentation rate and mesozooplankton grazing. The finding of moderate grazing in autumn and a clear growth and consumption in the winter are features that require monitoring in larger temporal and spatial scales.
KW - Dilution method
KW - Ensenada de La Paz
KW - Grazing
KW - Mexico
KW - Microzooplankton
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884786391&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3856/vol41-issue3-fulltext-16
DO - 10.3856/vol41-issue3-fulltext-16
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0718-560X
VL - 41
SP - 545
EP - 557
JO - Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research
JF - Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research
IS - 3
ER -