| The sea surface microlayer (upper 100 pm) was sampled using Harvey's rotating drum collector. Greater amounts of nutrients, particulate organic carbon and living material occurred in the surface film than in samples taken at 0,50m. Neuston displayed a greater level of absolute production, but assimilation numbers were usually lower in the films than at a depth of 0,50m. Algal phytoplankton also occurred in much higher densities in sea-surface films than in subsurface waters. Individual species abundances differed between phytoneuston and underlying phytoplankton. Though surface microlayers with a richer nutrient environment may represent a favorable biotope to microplankton growth, neustonic organisms may be subject to considerable stress due to higher... |
