The Pelagic Ecosystem of the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica: An Analysis of Microbiological, Planktological and Chemical Characteristics by Multivariate Analyses

Abstract

A data set composed of biological, chemical, and physical descriptors was treated with a number of statistical techniques, including correlation and cluster analyses to establish reasons for the observed variability - both horizontal and vertical - of planktonic and microbial biomass and activity. Despite an observed zonation in phytoplankton populations, cluster analysis on the complete data set indicates overlap between these zones. The results indicate that for an understanding of system dynamics it is necessary to include not only biological parameters, but also descriptors of the organic fraction.