Long-chain alkenones and U37′ variability along a south–north transect in the Western Pacific Ocean

In this paper, we present 50 surface water samples collected during the IMAGES III cruise (June–July 1997) along a transect from New Zealand to the China Sea (42°S–178°E, 21°N–120°E) covering a temperature range from 13.3 to 30.4 °C. A very worthwhile aspect of this study is a coupling of both biomarker (alkenone) and coccolithophorid counting. We show that the U₃₇^k′–temperature relationship is very similar to the Prahl et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 52 (1988) 2203] culture calibration and to the global core top calibration of Müller et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 62 (1998) 1757]. However, in the warmest surface waters of the Western Pacific ocean (>26.4 °C) where Gephyrocapsa oceanica is likely the most widespread species, the associated U₃₇^k′ has a constant value of 1.0. The consequence is that above this temperature threshold, U₃₇^k′ cannot be used as an accurate paleothermometer.     

Algal blooms and climate anomalies in north‐east New Zealand,August ‐December 1992

A raphidophyte‐dominated phytoplankton bloom extended discontinuously along the northeastern coastline of New Zealand, from Bream Tail, north of Leigh, to the western coast of the Coromandel Peninsula from late August until December 1992. The bloom was associated with an “El‐Niño” phase of the Southern Oscillation, resulting in unusually cold sea temperatures. The dominant bloom species in the north was Fibrocapsa japonica and in the south Heterosigma akashiwo. Associated species included the coccolithophorid Gephyrocapsa oceanica and the naked form of the silicoflagellate Dictyocha speculum. By December, numbers of the armoured form of D. speculum had increased, as those of raphidophytes and coccolithophorids declined. Bioassays to test for shellfish biotoxins were negative and Artemia salina bioassays, indicators of ichthyotoxicity, were negative except for Heterosigma akashiwo cultures, isolated from Coromandel water samples.     

今生颗石藻的有机碳泵和碳酸盐反向泵

海洋今生颗石藻同时具有有机碳生产和钙化作用两个过程，对海洋碳的生物地球化学循环具有重要作用。今生颗石藻通过有机碳泵（生物泵）和碳酸盐反向泵调节大气p(CO₂)，最终影响全球的气候变化。介绍了今生颗石藻对全球气候变化的影响，重点讨论其碳酸盐反向泵过程，从今生颗石藻碳酸盐反向泵的生理学基础、钙化作用与光合作用的耦合机制、全球气候变化下今生颗石藻的有机碳泵和碳酸盐反向泵耦合机制改变等几个方面进行了描述。对中国近海今生颗石藻的研究进行了展望。