Size fractionated phytoplankton structure during summer bloom in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard.

Abstract

Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in the Arctic, is located on the West coast of Svalbard. Because it is an open fjord with no sill at the entrance, the exchange across the shelf-fjord boundary has a large impact on both the physical and biological variation in this fjord system. Therefore, it is important to measure, characterize and monitor the ecological status. The size structure and species composition were investigated during 2006 to 2008, with special attention to small phytoplankton(cells<20μm in diameter). To aid the interpretation of phytoplankton data, hydrographic data were also collected. Measurements made on the phytoplankton included size fractionated chlorophyll, photosynthetic pigments by HPLC, and cell counts by inverted microscopy. These data were also compared with the lab controlled phytoplankton culture collections in Koreapolarinstitute.