Abstract
The onset, development and decay of a winter bloom of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum was monitored during a 10 d period in the coastal upwelling system of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain). The succession of upwelling, relaxation and downwelling-favorable coastal winds with a frequency of 10–20 d is a common feature of the NW Iberian shelf. The onset of the bloom occurred during an upwelling-favorable ½ wk period under winter thermal inversion conditions. The subsequent ½ wk coastal wind relaxation period allowed development of the bloom (gross primary production reached 8g C m−2 d−1) utilizing nutrients upwelled during the previous period. Finally, downwelling during the following ½ wk period forced the decay of the bloom through a combination of cell sinking and downward advection.
Recommended Citation
Álvarez-Salgado, X. A., M. Nieto-Cid, S. Piedracoba, B. G. Crespo, J. Gago, S. Brea, I. G. Teixeira, F. G. Figueiras, J. L. Garrido, G. Rosón, C. G. Castro, and M. Gilcoto. 2005. "Origin and fate of a bloom of Skeletonema costatum during a winter upwelling/downwelling sequence in the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)." Journal of Marine Research 63, (6). https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/journal_of_marine_research/116