Picoplankton abundance and biomass in the East China Sea during autumn and winter

During Nov. 2006 and Feb. 2007, two investigations were carried out to investigate the abundance, carbon biomass, and distribution of picoplankton (Pico) and its relationship to the hydrological regime in the East China Sea (ECS). Pico consisted of three groups of photosynthetic picoplankton (phPico)—Synechococcus (Syn), Prochlorococcus (Pro) and Picoeukaryotes (PEuk)—and heterotrophic bacteria (HBAC). The average abundance of Pro, PEuk and HBAC was lower in autumn than in winter, but for Syn the opposite trend was observed. Water temperature, salinity, and stability of water column influenced Pico distribution in both seasons. Regression analysis showed distinct positive correlations between HBAC and phPico in both seasons. Syn contributed more to phPico in coastal waters, whereas Pro dominanted in the shelf and slope areas. PEuk was the major contributor to carbon biomass. In the Pico community, HBAC was predominant, both in abundance and in terms of carbon biomass. The phenomenon of subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) was observed ubiquitously in the shelf and slope area, and Pico organisms were the major contributors.