Seasonal dynamics and characterization of coccolithophore export production in two major upwelling regions

Abstract

Coccolithophores, a major group of the nanophytoplankton, belong to the class Prymnesiophyceae.The cells of coccolithophores are typically surrounded by layer(s) of calcium carbonate plates, the coccoliths. Certain coccolithophores can be assigned to particular water masses or to photic zone characteristics and, therefore, single species as well as whole assemblages can be used as oceanographical indicators for the present and the past. Due to their ocean wide distribution, their large contribution to the fine grained carbonate ooze of the deep sea, their ability to photosynthesize and to calcificate they play an important role in the global carbon cycle...