Primary productivity and nitrogen fixation by Trichodesmium spp. in the Arabian Sea

• Published in: Journal of marine systems Vol. 105-108; pp. 82 - 95
• Main Authors: Parab, Sushma G., Matondkar, S.G.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-12-2012
• Subjects: Arabian Sea; Chlorophyll a; Monsoon; Nitrogen fixation; Phytoplankton; Primary production; Remote sensing; Trichodesmium; Nitrogen fixation; Phytoplankton; Trichodesmium; Monsoon; Arabian Sea; Remote sensing; Primary production; Chlorophyll a
• ISSN: 0924-7963; 1879-1573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2012.06.003

Trichodesmium was studied with the purpose of understanding its distribution, organic production and nitrogen fixation in the Arabian Sea. Out of the 143 stations sampled, a total of 93 stations showed the presence of Trichodesmium filaments. Two species of Trichodesmium namely, T. thiebautii and T. erythraeum were found. These were distributed on the basis of the physico-chemical conditions of the Arabian Sea. This was the first time that we managed to detect and record the presence of Trichodesmium thiebautii bloom in the Arabian Sea at depths as deep as 60–70m. Total counts of Trichodesmium varied between 0 and 400737 filamentsL−1. T. thiebautii developed in offshore waters during the fall intermonsoon, when the water temperature was around 28°C and nitrate content was as low as 0.34μM. After the northeast monsoon, Trichodesmium erythraeum developed in the offshore area and then spread to coastal waters. Both species of Trichodesmium together produced a total of 0.263TgCyear−1 and fixed a total of 0.2976TgNyear−1 in the Arabian Sea. The study revealed that Trichodesmium was a major contributor to the organic matter productivity of the Arabian Sea during the period from November to April. The seasonality of the blooms of Trichodesmium is discussed with the help of Ocean Color Monitoring (OCM) data and biogeochemical implication of these findings in the Arabian Sea.
►This is a first study on the seasonal variation of Trichodesmium spp. in the Arabian Sea.►Trichodesmium thiebautii blooms at low temperature whereas Trichodesmium erythraeum at high temperature. ►T. spp. blooms synthesize 0.263TgCyear−1 and fix 0.2976TgNyear−1.