Variations in assimilation number of coastal marine phyto-phytoplankton: Effects of environmental co-variates

Abstract

Seasonal variations in maximum specific production rate (assimilation number) of natural phytoplankton from a shallow marine basin were studied in relation to environmental changes over a 22-month period. Assimilation number variations were considerable (>6 fold) and were correlated with both environmental and biological co-variates. Temperature was the most significant co-variate, accounting for 40% of the observed variation in assimilation number. No significant relationship was apparent between changes in assimilation number and nutrient concentrations.