Response of phytoplankton to eddy dipole structure in the Mozambican channel: An automated underway evaluation

Abstract

Fine-scale oceanographic structures such as eddies, fronts, and filaments strongly influence biogeochemical and ecological processes. So far, the characterization of phytoplankton communities of the Mozambique Channel (MZC) was limited to in-situ sampling and satellite monitoring of chlorophyll-a biomass estimation. Few studies have looked at phytoplankton community composition. During the RESILIENCE cruise in 2022, three structures were sampled; an anticyclonic eddy, a frontal area and a cyclonic eddy. Phytoplankton functional groups (PFGs) were studied at small-scale (1 km) in subsurface (about 5m depth) waters using automated underway measurements. A multispectral fluorometer (FLP) and an automated pulse shape-recording flow cytometer (AFCM). The oceanographic mesoscale features clearly structured the phytoplankton groups with distinct patterns observed in each of the three areas studied. A relatively high concentration of brown pigmentary group (groups containing xanthophyll and carotenoids-like pigments) was observed in the cyclonic eddy. High abundance of nano-microeukaryotes and of prokaryotic phytoplankton (Synechococcus spp. and Prochlorococcus spp.) were identified in the cyclonic eddy. These differences could potentially affect higher trophic levels such as zooplankton, micronekton, large pelagic fish, mammals, and seabirds. Finally, this phytoplankton community differentiation could also impact biogeochemical processes such as carbon sequestration and nutrient dynamics in the MZC.