Sources of variability in the column photosynthetic cross section for Antarctic coastal waters

Using a highly resolved Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) database collected near Palmer Station, Antarctica, from 1991 to 1994, the variability in the column photosynthetic cross section (Psi*, m(2) g Chl a(-1)) was analyzed. The relationship between the daily integrated primary production rates versus the product of surface irradiance (Q(PAR)(O-2(+)) and the integrated chlorophyll content (down to 0.1% Q(PAR)(0(+)) gave a Psi* value of 0.0695 m(2) g Chl a(-1) (r(2) = 0.85, p < 0.001, n = 151) which is similar to those determined for temperate and tropical seas. However, the average value of single Psi* estimates is higher (0.109 +/- 0.075 m(2) g Chl a(-1)) with extreme values extending over a fiftyfold range (0.009-0.488 m g Chi a(-1)). The possible drivers of this variability are analyzed in detail, considering variables which are presently used in biooptical models (e.g., surface irradiance and chlorophyll content) and those which are not (taxonomic composition). A sixfold variation in Psi* was observed with time of year and strongly associated with the high seasonality in incident irradiance characteristic of these polar sampling sites. Variability in daily incident irradiance as influenced by cloudiness and variation in chlorophyll content were responsible for an additional twofold variation in Psi*. Finally, the taxonomic dependency of Psi* was demonstrated for the first time. For identical chlorophyll content and surface irradiance, mean Psi* values of 0.114 +/- 0.051 m(2) g Chl a(-1) were recorded for diatom blooms and 0.053 +/- 0.011 m(2) g Chi a(-1) for cryptophyte-dominated populations. Results illustrate the validity of Psi*-based approaches for estimating primary production for the Southern Ocean but emphasize the need to address taxon-specific photophysiology to better estimate primary production on smaller spatio-temporal scales.