Size-fractionated Chlorophyll a biomass in the northern South China Sea in summer 2014

Spatial distribution of phaeopigment and size-fractionated chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations were examined in relation to hydrographic conditions in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) during a survey from 20 August to 12 September, 2014. The total Chl a concentration varied from 0.006 to 1.488 µg/L with a mean value of 0.259±0.247 (mean±standard deviation) µg/L. Chl a concentration was generally higher in shallow water (<200 m) than in deep water (>200 m), with mean values of 0.364±0.311 µg/L and 0.206±0.192 µg/L respectively. Vertically, the maximum total Chl a concentration appeared at depths of 30–50 m and gradually decreased below 100 m. The size-fractionated Chl a concentrations of grid stations and time-series stations (SEATS and J4) were determined, with values of pico- (0.7–2 µm), nano- (2–20 µm) and micro-plankton (20–200 µm) ranging from 0.001–0.287 (0.093±0.071 µg/L), 0.004–1.149 (0.148±0.192 µg/L) and 0.001–0.208 (0.023±0.036 µg/L), respectively. Phaeopigment concentrations were determined at specific depths at ten stations, except for at station A9, and varied from 0.007 to 0.572 (0.127±0.164) µg/L. Nano-and pico-plankton were the major contributors to total phytoplankton biomass, accounting for 50.99%±15.01% and 39.30%±15.41%, respectively, whereas microplankton only accounted for 9.39%±8.66%. The results indicate that the contributions of microplankton to total Chl a biomass were less important than picoplankton or nanoplankton in the surveyed NSCS. Different sized-Chl a had similar spatial patterns, with peak values all observed in subsurface waters (30–50 m). The summer monsoon, Kuroshio waters, Zhujiang (Pearl) River plume, and hydrological conditions are speculated to be the factors controlling the abundance and spatial heterogeneity of Chl a biomass in the NSCS.