Abstract

AGUIRRE GOMEZ, Raúl. Primary production in the southern Gulf of Mexico estimated from solar-stimulated natural fluorescence. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2002, vol.12, n.1, pp.21-28. ISSN 0188-8897.

This paper reports a study on the horizontal and vertical chlorophyll and primary production distributions. Chlorophyll a concentrations were calculated from natural fluorescence during the fall season of 1997 in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico. It was found a nearly homogeneous distribution of chlorophyll (0.4 to 2.3 mg m⁻³) and primary production (1.2 to 6.7 mg C m⁻³ h⁻¹) at oceanic areas, but conspicuously different values at coastal or sediment-laden zones (12.5 - 46.6 mg m⁻³ for chlorophyll and 34 - 120 mg C m⁻³ h⁻¹ for production). The results obtained from solar stimulated natural fluorescence are similar to those calculated by other authors using different methods. This method provides reliable results and can be alternatively used.

Keywords : natural fluorescence; primary productivity; southern Gulf of Mexico.

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