Abstract. The seasonal and sub-seasonal dynamics of iron availability within the sub-Antarctic zone (SAZ; ∼ 40-45 • S) play an important role in the distribution, biomass and productivity of the phytoplankton community. The variability in iron availability is due to an interplay between winter entrainment, diapycnal diffusion, storm-driven entrainment, atmospheric deposition, iron scavenging and iron recycling processes. Biological observations utilizing grow-out iron addition incubation experiments were performed at different stages of the seasonal cycle within the SAZ to determine whether iron availability at the time of sampling was sufficient to meet biological demands at different times of the growing season. Here we demonstrate that at the beginning of the growing season, there is sufficient iron to meet the demands of the phytoplankton community, but that as the growing season develops the mean iron concentrations in the mixed layer decrease and are insufficient to meet biological demand. Phytoplankton increase their photosynthetic efficiency and net growth rates following iron addition from midsummer to late summer, with no differences determined during early summer, suggestive of seasonal iron depletion and an insufficient resupply of iron to meet biological demand. The result of this is residual macronutrients at the end of the growing season and the prevalence of the high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) condition. We conclude that despite the prolonged growing season characteristic of the SAZ, which can extend into late summer/early autumn, results nonetheless suggest that iron supply mechanisms are insufficient to maintain potential maximal growth and productivity throughout the season.

No abstract

Active fluorescence measurements can provide rapid, non‐intrusive estimates of phytoplankton primary production at high spatial and temporal resolution, but there is uncertainty in converting from electrons to ecologically relevant rates of CO2 assimilation. In this study, we examine the light‐dependent rates of photosynthetic electron transport and 13C‐uptake in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean to derive a conversion factor for both winter (July 2015–August 2015) and summer (December 2015–February 2016). The results revealed significant seasonal differences in the light‐saturated chlorophyll specific rate of 13C‐uptake, ( PmaxnormalB), with mean summer values 2.3 times higher than mean winter values, and the light limited chlorophyll specific efficiency, (αB), with mean values 2.7 times higher in summer than in winter. Similar patterns were observed in the light‐saturated photosynthetic electron transport rates ( ETRmaxRCII, 1.5 times higher in summer) and light limited photosynthetic electron transport efficiency (αRCII, 1.3 times higher in summer). The conversion factor between carbon and electrons (Φe:C (mol e− mol C−1)) was derived utilizing in situ measurements of the chlorophyll‐normalized number of reaction centers (nRCII), resulting in a mean summer Φe:C which was ∼ 3 times lower than the mean winter Φe:C. Empirical relationships were established between Φe:C, light and NPQ, however they were not consistent across locations or seasons. The seasonal decoupling of Φe:C is the result of differences in Ek‐dependent and Ek‐independent variability, which require new modelling approaches and improvements to bio‐optical techniques to account for these inter‐seasonal differences in both taxonomy and environmental mean conditions.

Abstract. The Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean is characterized by markedly different frontal zones with specific seasonal and sub-seasonal dynamics. Demonstrated here is the effect of iron on the potential maximum productivity rates of the phytoplankton community. A series of iron addition productivity versus irradiance (PE) experiments utilizing a unique experimental design that allowed for 24 h incubations were performed within the austral summer of 2015/16 to determine the photosynthetic parameters α B , P B max and E k . Mean values for each photosynthetic parameter under iron-replete conditions were 1.46 ± 0.55 (µg (µg Chl a) −1 h −1 (µM photons m −2 s −1 ) −1 ) for α B , 72.55 ± 27.97 (µg (µg Chl a) −1 h −1 ) for P B max and 50.84 ± 11.89 (µM photons m −2 s −1 ) for E k , whereas mean values under the control conditions were 1.25 ± 0.92 (µg (µg Chl a) −1 h −1 (µM photons m −2 s −1 ) −1 ) for α B , 62.44 ± 36.96 (µg (µg Chl a) −1 h −1 ) for P B max and 55.81 ± 19.60 (µM photons m −2 s −1 ) for E k . There were no clear spatial patterns in either the absolute values or the absolute differences between the treatments at the experimental locations. When these parameters are integrated into a standard depth-integrated primary production model across a latitudinal transect, the effect of iron addition shows higher levels of primary production south of 50 • S, with very little difference observed in the subantarctic and polar frontal zone. These results emphasize the need for better parameterization of photosynthetic parameters in biogeochemical models around sensitivities in their response to iron supply. Future biogeochemical models will need to consider the combined and individual effects of iron and light to better resolve the natural background in primary production and predict its response under a changing climate.

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean is characterized by markedly different frontal zones with specific seasonal and sub-seasonal dynamics. Demonstrated here is the effect of iron on the potential maximum productivity rates of the phytoplankton community. A series of iron addition productivity versus irradiance (PE) experiments utilising a unique experimental design that allowed for 24 hour incubations were performed within the austral summer of 2015/16. The addition of iron can result in the doubling of the photosynthetic parameters α<sup>B</sup> and P<sup>B</sup><sub>max</sub>, with subsequent changes in E<sub>k</sub>. Mean values for each parameter under iron replete conditions were 1.46 ± 0.55 (μg (μg Chl a)<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> (μM photons m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>)<sup>−1</sup>), 72.55 ± 27.97 (μg (μg Chl a)<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>) and 50.84 ± 11.89 (μM photons m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>); whereas mean values under the control conditions were 1.25 ± 0.92 (μg (μg Chl a)<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> (μM photons m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>)<sup>−1</sup>), 62.44 ± 36.96 (μg (μg Chl a)<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>) and 55.81 ± 19.60 (μM photons m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>). There were no clear spatial patterns in either the absolute values or the absolute differences between the treatments at the experimental locations. When these parameters are integrated into a standard depth-integrated primary production model across a latitudinal transect, the effect of iron addition shows higher levels of primary production south of 50° S, with very little difference observed in the sub-Antarctic and Polar Frontal zone. These results emphasize the need for better parameterisation of photosynthetic parameters in biogeochemical models around sensitivities in their response to iron supply. Future biogeochemical models will need to consider the combined and individual effects of iron and light to better resolve the natural background in primary production and predict its response under a changing climate.</p>