| Biomass and phytoplankton photosynthetic response were studied in the lower Tagus estuary weekly, and related to environmental conditions in February, March and April 1994. The Photosynthesis-Irradiance ((P-I)-I-B) relation was studied based on the light-saturated photosynthesis rate (P(B)m) and the light-limited initial slope (a(B)). The nutrient concentrations observed were high enough to be considered as not limiting phytoplankton growth. Tagus estuary phytoplankton seems, to a certain extent, adapted to high turbid conditions, being able to utilize the low light levels more efficiently, which was translated by high values of a(B) [0.10-0.20 mg C (mg Chl a)(-1) h(-1) (W m(-2))(-1)]; however, light seems to limit phytoplankton production in the water... |
