Impact of a cyclonic eddy on phytoplankton community structure and photosynthetic competency in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean

Photophysiological variability and its influence on primary production in the NW Africa–Canary Islands coastal transition zone

“…DCM uplifts caused by cyclones and filaments induced noticeable increases in chl a concentration ( Fig. 2c and d), a well-known situation for this (Arístegui et al, 1997;Basterretxea et al, 2002) and other regions affected by cyclonic eddies (Falkowski et al, 1991;Vaillancourt et al, 2003;Brown et al, 2008). A much more detailed description of the hydrographic conditions found during this cruise was provided by Barton et al (2004).…”

“…Cyclonic eddies can uplift the thermocline and the associated deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) to a light level where photosynthesis is neither light nor nutrient limited and phytoplankton growth is stimulated (Falkowski et al, 1991;Arístegui et al, 1997;McGillicuddy et al, 1998), whereas the DCM can be moved below the photic layer in anticyclonic eddies (McGillicuddy et al, 1998;Basterretxea et al, 2002). While the influence of cyclonic eddies on phytoplankton (Arístegui et al, 1997;Vaillancourt et al, 2003;Brown et al, 2008) and primary production (Falkowski et al, 1991;McGillicuddy et al, 1998;McAndrew et al, 2008) has been widely documented; the effect of anticyclonic eddies on phytoplankton photosynthesis still needs to be typified. Therefore, it is important to know the photophysiological response of phytoplankton in these mesoscale structures for improving estimates of primary production and better characterise carbon fluxes in oceanic regions with strong eddy influence.…”

Ecology and Diversity of Picoeukaryotes

“…In oligotrophic Pacific waters, this approach was used to infer that eukaryotes smaller than 3 mm were prasinophytes and pelagophytes (Vaillancourt et al 2003). We still know little about the dynamics of picophytoplanktonic prymnesiophytes or other taxonomic groups (e.g., prasinophytes), and much less about subtaxa within these broad groups.…”

Mesoscale physical–biological–biogeochemical linkages in the open ocean: An introduction to the results of the E-Flux and EDDIES programs

“…Cyclone Opal was characterized by very large isopycnal displacements of over 100 m at the eddy core relative to surrounding waters (Table 1) and was less than 6 weeks in age Nencioli et al, 2008). The only other Hawaiian cyclone studied to date to have similarly large displacements in isopycnal surfaces was Cyclone Haulani, a month older (Table 1, and see Figure 2, Vaillancourt et al, 2003), yet no increase in diatom biomass was observed. However, Vaillancourt et al (2003) report a relative minimum in Si:N within Haulani's core, consistent with a prior diatom bloom.…”