PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCTION IN LANGEBAAN LAGOON AND SALDANHA BAY

Abstract
Between February 1971 and February 1972 monthly measurements of phytoplankton primary production were made at six stations in Langebaan Lagoon. The gross primary production rates obtained showed a marked seasonal variation. They increased from 261,6 mgC/m3/day in winter to 675,4 mgC/m3/day in spring and to a maximum of 885,3 mgC/m3/day in summer. Production rates ranged from 611,0 mgC/m3.day at the entrance of the lagoon to 162,6 mgC/m3/day at the station nearest to the head of the lagoon. A correlation between total chlorophyll and gross primary production was established for the lagoon, and was used in conjunction with chlorophyll concentrations and water transparency measurements from Saldanha Bay to estimate the gross primary production for the bay. The estimates ranged from 864,9 mgC/m2/day to 3 301,2 mgC/m2/day.

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