Phytoplankton respiration in the Peru upwelling

Abstract

Respiratory electron transport system (ETS) measurements were made on the microplankton in the Peru upwelling system near 15°S during March, April, and May of 1977. The close association between chlorophyll-α biomass and ETS activity indicate that the microplankton were predominantly phytoplankton. Phytoplankton respiration average 14% of gross fixed carbon. When zooplankton respiration in the euphotic zone is considered, the total plankton respiration represented an average of 19% of gross primary production.