Dynamics and size structure of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of Singapore

Abstract

In this paper, a study on phytoplankton dynamics and size in the tropical coastal waters of Singapore is presented. Chlorophyll-a levels in the Singapore Strait generally range from 0.4 to 10 μg l-1, with an average value of 1.7 μg l-1. In general, higher chlorophyll concentrations are typically found off the east coast of Singapore, as well as in the shallower, more protected waters of the Johor Strait (maximum ~78 μg l-1, average = 21.5 μg l-1). Seasonal trends in chlorophyll and nutrients are also apparent, with higher chlorophyll generally observed during the south-west monsoon compared with the wetter north-east monsoon. Size-fractionated chlorophyll measurements of the phytoplankton community show that for low standing stocks of chlorophyll less than 3 μg l-1, approximately 40% of the phytoplankton lies in the pico- and small nanoplankton (