Pigment-based Phytoplankton Size Classes and Community Composition along the Western Antarctic Peninsula during the Turkish Antarctic Expedition of 2019


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Ağırbaş E., Feyzioğlu A. M., Başar E., Terzi Y., Yıldız İ., Öztürk R. Ç.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES, vol.24, no.SI, pp.1-14, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: SI
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.4194/trjfas27308
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-14
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial variability of phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) and community composition along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) during the Turkish Antarctic Expedition (TAE-III) in 2019. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment analysis, microscopy, and hydrographic data, we characterized phytoplankton communities across 11 stations during the Turkish Antarctic Expedition (TAE-III). The results showed considerable regional differences, with a high contribution of nanophytoplankton to the total phytoplankton biomass (23–78%), followed by microphytoplankton (3–53%) and picophytoplankton (1–69%). Prominent pigments, including chlorophyll-a, fucoxanthin, and 19- hexanoloxyfucoxanthin, indicated diatom and haptophyte dominance in specific areas. Variations in community composition were strongly influenced by sea surface temperature, salinity, and nutrient availability, driven by regional hydrographic conditions and ice melt dynamics. The findings enhance our understanding of phytoplankton adaptive strategies under changing environmental conditions and highlight their crucial role in the WAP’s polar marine ecosystem. The present study provides baseline data that is essential for the monitoring of climate-driven changes in Antarctic phytoplankton communities.