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Spring Phytoplankton Distributions and Primary Productivity in Waters off Northern Norway
  • Walker O. Smith, Jr.,
  • Rui Meng,
  • S L Basedow
Walker O. Smith, Jr.
VIMS, William & Mary; School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
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Rui Meng
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
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S L Basedow
UiT
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Abstract

• Phytoplankton distributions and primary productivity were assessed off the northern coast of Norway in spring. Biomass and productivity were greatest off the continental shelf during the period of observations. • A satellite climatology showed that blooms usually form on the continental shelf first, and spread to deeper waters from 2-4 weeks after the shelf bloom. • The Calanus finmarchicus population had the potential for removing substantial amounts of chlorophyll each day, but phytoplankton vertical distributions were controlled by passive sinking.