Coccolithophores distribution in the South Atlantic and the Antarctic Oceans

RESPLANDY L.; SCHLOSS, I.; CONCHEYRO, A.; DOGLIOTTI, A.I.; BOLOUBASSI, I.; MEJANELLE, L.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Simposio; Simposio Argentino y I Latinoamericano sobre Investigaciones Antárticas; 2004

Dirección Nacional del Antártico, Instituto Antártico Argentino

During the ARGAU-2 cruise in the Southern Atlantic and Antarctic Oceans coccolithophores abundance and taxonomic composition were evaluated by microscopic analysis. Pigment concentration analysis (especially 19´Hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin –19’HF- which is an accessory pigment characteristic of coccolithophores) and satellite imagery were further used to determine their presence. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used in order to determine the environmental conditions favourable to coccolithophores development.  The presence of the dominant genera (Emiliania and Gephyrocapsa) was coincident with 19’HF concentrations, and related with particular temperature and silicate conditions.