18 stations along the Strait of Magellan, from Cabo Espiritu Santo (on the Atlantic Ocean) to Cabo Deseado (on the Pacific Ocean), including Bahia Inutil

Phytoplankton taxonomic abundance in water bodies

Unknown

The distribution of phytoplankton populations was studied during the first Italian cruise in the Strait of Magellan (November 1989). Phytoplankton samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, 50 m and from the bottom depth. The samples were fixed in a 4 per cent formaldehyde solution neutralized with hexamethylentetramine. It was possible to define three areas: the first, formed by the Primera and the Segunda Angosturas, was marked by high nanoplankton values; the second, the basin of Punta Arenas, was marked by lower values than the first and by a preponderant diatom population; the third area, which can be described as 'Pacific', was characterized by the lowest values and by more homogeneous composition of phytoplankton populations.

University of Trieste, Department of Biology
Via E Weiss 2
Trieste

34127
Italy