The vertical flux of particulate matter in the polynya of Terra Nova Bay. Part II. Biological components

Downward fluxes of particulate matter were investigated in the polynya of Terra Nova Bay (western Ross Sea) from February 1995 to December 1997. The main biological components were siliceous phytoplankton (diatoms, silicoflagellates and parmales), abundant faecal pellets of several types and zooplankton (mainly shelled pteropods). Vertical fluxes of particles occurred mainly through diatoms and faecal pellets in the first and second part of the summer, respectively. The highest fluxes were recurrently observed in late summer, when faeces contributed up to 100% of organic carbon. Unusually high fluxes were recorded in winter 1995, when faecal pellets accounted for 84.6% of the organic carbon. Peak fluxes were always driven by the sinking of faecal pellets, that hence appear to be the most efficient vector of export in the polynya of Terra Nova Bay. A major flux component was the pteropod Limacina helicina, which repeatedly sank in high amounts after the growing season. In April–June, L. helicina probably transported biogenic carbon to deep layers as a passive sinker. The inclusion of pteropods in flux estimates resulted in values that were up to 20 (for total mass), 25 (for organic matter) and 48 (for carbonate) times higher than the previously measured fluxes. Fluxes are known to be biased by swimmers, but ultimately attention must be paid to a possible erroneous categorization of some zooplankton as swimmers to avoid severe underestimation of fluxes of total mass (up to 95% in our study), organic matter (up to 96%) and carbonate (up to 100%).

Download Full-text

The vertical flux of particulate matter in the polynya of Terra Nova Bay. Part I. Chemical constituents

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102003001111 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 119-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. ACCORNERO ◽

C. MANNO ◽

K.R. ARRIGO ◽

A. MARTINI ◽

S. TUCCI

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Water Column ◽

Biogenic Silica ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Time Lag ◽

Shallow Trap ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova

Downward fluxes of particulate matter were investigated in the polynya of Terra Nova Bay (western Ross Sea) from February 1995 to December 1997. Biogenic silica made up the bulk of the sinking matter, reaching a maximum of 85% of the total flux in both the shallow and deep traps. Organic carbon accounted for 2.1 to 23.5% of the sample mass in the shallow trap and 2.8 to 7.2% in the deep trap. Biogenic silica and organic carbon peaks occurred in February–March over the three years and were always coupled in the top trap. Carbonate fluxes showed an uneven temporal trend, were low near the seafloor and contributed up to 69.8% of the material collected by the shallow trap. Vertical fluxes in the polynya showed large seasonal and interannual variability. Differences in primary productivity, ice cover dynamics and current energies accounted for the interannual changes in the flux of materials to the subsurface trap. Advection from sites a few hundred kilometres apart was the most likely reason for the decoupling between shallow and deep fluxes after October 1996. The seasonal pattern of downward fluxes was essentially linked to the seasonal cycle of primary production and spring–summer variations largely resulted from the composition of the phytoplankton assemblage in the overlying water column. The export of phototrophically produced materials to depth was low in late spring–early summer, at the time when Phaeocystis and small flagellates were the predominant autotrophs and the microbial food web prevailed over herbivorous feeding. Enhanced fluxes were linked to the predominance of large diatoms above the trap, in late summer. Temporal dynamics in this polynya were delayed by approximately one month as compared to the southernmost Ross Sea polynya, but showed the same temporal pattern: the time lag between production and accumulation of biogenic materials in the upper water column was a few weeks, while the delay in export from the surface layer relative to the maximum accumulation of biomass was approximately one month.

Download Full-text

Origin, biochemical composition and vertical flux of particulate organic matter under the pack ice in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) during late summer 1995

Polar Biology ◽

10.1007/s003000050399 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 124-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Antonio Pusceddu ◽

Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti ◽

Giancarlo Albertelli ◽

Mauro Fabiano

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Late Summer ◽

Vertical Flux ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Pack Ice ◽

Terra Nova

Download Full-text

Particulate organic matter release below melting sea ice (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica): Possible relationships with zooplankton

Journal of Marine Systems ◽

10.1016/j.jmarsys.2021.103510 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103510

Author(s):

Alessandro Cau ◽

Claudia Ennas ◽

Davide Moccia ◽

Olga Mangoni ◽

Francesco Bolinesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sea Ice ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova

Download Full-text

Total and hydrolizable particulate organic matter (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) at a coastal station in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

Polar Biology ◽

10.1007/s003000050223 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 125-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Mauro Fabiano ◽

Antonio Pusceddu

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Coastal Station ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova

Download Full-text

Regulation of Microbial Activity Rates by Organic Matter in the Ross Sea during the Austral Summer 2017

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8091273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 1273

Author(s):

Renata Zaccone ◽

Cristina Misic ◽

Filippo Azzaro ◽

Maurizio Azzaro ◽

Giovanna Maimone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Austral Summer ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Offshore Area ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Prokaryotic Abundance ◽

Microbiological Parameters ◽

Terra Nova ◽

The Antarctic

The active prokaryotic communities proliferate in the ecosystems of the Antarctic Ocean, participating in biogeochemical cycles and supporting higher trophic levels. They are regulated by several environmental and ecological forcing, such as the characteristics of the water masses subjected to global warming and particulate organic matter (POM). During summer 2017, two polynyas in the Ross Sea were studied to evaluate key-microbiological parameters (the proteasic, glucosidasic, and phosphatasic activities, the microbial respiratory rates, the prokaryotic abundance and biomass) in relation to quantitative and qualitative characteristics of POM. Results showed significant differences in the epipelagic layer between two macro-areas (Terra Nova Bay and Ross Sea offshore area). Proteins and carbohydrates were metabolized rapidly in the offshore area (as shown by turnover times), due to high enzymatic activities in this zone, indicating fresh and labile organic compounds. The lower quality of POM in Terra Nova Bay, as shown by the higher refractory fraction, led to an increase in the turnover times of proteins and carbohydrates. Salinity was the physical constraint that played a major role in the distribution of POM and microbial activities in both areas.

Download Full-text

Water column features and their relationship with sediments and benthic communities along the Victoria Land coast, Ross Sea, summer 2004

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102006000642 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 603-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Paolo Povero ◽

Michela Castellano ◽

Nicoletta Ruggieri ◽

Luis S. Monticelli ◽

Vincenzo Saggiomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Water Column ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Benthic Communities ◽

Trophic Factors ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Victoria Land ◽

Terra Nova

The northern Victoria Land coastal marine environment was investigated during the late summer 2004, within the framework of the Latitudinal Gradient Project (LGP), to describe the physical, chemical and biological patterns of the water column and their relationship with the pelagic and benthic compartments, and to determine to what extent they change with latitude. A latitudinal gradient from Cape Adare to the Terra Nova Bay–Cape Russell area was determined on the basis of abiotic and trophic factors. Cape Adare had lower values of organic matter (particulate organic carbon < 150 μg l−1) available for the benthic communities, but this organic matter had good trophic quality. In Terra Nova Bay the particulate organic matter was quantitatively higher (organic carbon > 400 μg l−1), presumably reaching the bottom via faecal pellets, but was more detrital, although its nutritive value was still high (carbon protein content nearly 40%), as confirmed by the great quantity of phytopigments in the sediments (> 4.0 μg g−1). The benthic communities changed with latitude as well, partially reflecting the environmental and trophic gradient, but also showing a large within-area variability (except for the Cape Adare area), due to a complex array of variables that did not change with latitude.

Download Full-text

Organic matter composition in coastal sediments at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) during summer 1995

Polar Biology ◽

10.1007/s003000050446 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 288-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Antonio Pusceddu ◽

Antonio Dell'Anno ◽

Mauro Fabiano

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Coastal Sediments ◽

Organic Matter Composition ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova

Download Full-text

Particulate organic matter composition in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) during summer 1990

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s095410209600003x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 7-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

M. Fabiano ◽

P. Povero ◽

R. Danovaro

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Mixed Layer ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Research Programme ◽

Dna And Rna ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Pack Ice ◽

Antarctic Research ◽

Terra Nova

Particulate organic matter was collected in the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay during the Oceanographic Campaign of the Italian Antarctic Research Programme in summer (January–February) 1990. Particulate matter composition was analysed for organic carbon and nitrogen, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and ATP. A vertical stratification was evident in the study area, and resulted from prior melting of the pack ice. Suspended organic matter in the mixed layer and below the mixed layer differed in quantitative and qualitative composition. Except for ATP, all the biochemical components showed higher concentrations in the mixed layer than in the deeper waters. The particulate organic matter in Terra Nova Bay was mostly detrital and of algal origin.

Download Full-text

Short-term variations in particulate matter flux in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102097000187 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 143-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Mauro Fabiano ◽

Mariachiara Chiantore ◽

Paolo Povero ◽

Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti ◽

Antonio Pusceddu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Water Column ◽

Sediment Trap ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Early Summer ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova ◽

Matter Flux

As part of the Ross Sea Marginal Ice Zone Ecology Project (ROSSMIZE) the summer organic matter flux through the water column was measured at 40 m depth in Terra Nova Bay. Water samples and material from a sediment trap on the sea-bottom were analysed for their biochemical composition. A close coupling between biochemical composition of the organic matter in the water column and the material collected in the sediment trap was found, resulting from complex interactions between physical and biological processes. The physical processes are related to break-up and melting of the ice cover and occur mainly in the early summer season, whilst biological processes play a key role in mid summer and, from the evidence from faecal pellets, are related to the primary production and consumption processes.

Download Full-text