Distribution of phytoplankton communities in relation to the large-scale hydrographical regime in the Fram Strait

In June and July 1984 phytoplankton distribution was investigated in the Fram Strait between Greenland and Svalbard. Chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon, nitrate and phytoplankton species composition were determined from six different depths in the upper 200 m of the water column. Multivariate analysis methods were applied to identify phytoplankton communities in relation to different hydrographic regimes. Three main domains could be distinguished in terms of both hydrography and biology: (1) the East Greenland shelf polynya with a high biomass mainly produced by chain-forming diatoms, (2) the ice-covered East Greenland Current with an extremely low standing stock dominated by flagellates and (3) the marginal ice zone with a biomass maximum in 20 to 40 m depth formed by diatoms, dinoflagellates and Phaeocystis pouchetii .