95
face waters. Both factors could contribute in maintaining the system in
a juvenile although diversified phase (Margalef, 1978).
Annual minima for chlorophyll a values for the Gulf of Naples (about
mg m- 3 ) were observed in late autumn or early winter, when disruption
of the stratified water column occurred. The onset and duration of this
period varied from year to year depending on weather conditions. After
complete mixing, phytoplankton showed a more uniform spatial distribution reflecting the greater diffusion and dilution of nutrients derived
from land runoff.
In February 1979 highest surface chlorophyll a values
- -3
(about 2 mg m ) were recorded in a vast area near the Procida and Ischia
channels where waters influenced by the Volturno river plume and the
Cuma sewage outfall occurred. The phytoplankton community (480 • 10 3
cel~I-1) was largely dominated by diatoms that represented 90% of the
entire population (Carrada et al., 1981a).
The Gulf of Salerno as compared to the Gulf of Naples had less notable hydrographic and biological gradients giving a less marked spatial
heterogeneity. Small rivers, that drain intensively cultivated fields
south of Salerno, and urban sewage outfalls constituted the main sources
of nutrient enrichment in these coastal waters. Maximal nutrient concentrations never attained those observed for coastal waters in the Gulf
of Naples. This may be primarily due to differences in nutrient inputs
and mixing dynamics for the two basins. Lower and more uniformly distributed values for phytoplankton biomass were recorded for inshore waters of the Gulf of Salerno.
Chlorophyll a concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 4.33 (x O.GS) mg
-3
m
were measured in surface coastal waters out to the 50 m isobath during July 1982. The highest values were recorded near the city of Salerno and in proximity to the outlet of a small river located in the southern part of the Gulf. Weighted mean values for primary production at
-3 -1
two inshore stations (C1 and C2) were 11 and G mg C m d • Phytoplankton populations consisting mainly of dinoflagellates (small naked dinoflagellates and several species of Protoperidinium and Proroaentrum) and
small flagellates less than 10 ~ dominated the community. Diatom or dinoflagellate dominated blooms occasionally took place off the coast of Salerno in late spring and summer.
Intense dinoflagellate blooms of
face waters. Both factors could contribute in maintaining the system in
a juvenile although diversified phase (Margalef, 1978).
Annual minima for chlorophyll a values for the Gulf of Naples (about
mg m- 3 ) were observed in late autumn or early winter, when disruption
of the stratified water column occurred. The onset and duration of this
period varied from year to year depending on weather conditions. After
complete mixing, phytoplankton showed a more uniform spatial distribution reflecting the greater diffusion and dilution of nutrients derived
from land runoff.
In February 1979 highest surface chlorophyll a values
- -3
(about 2 mg m ) were recorded in a vast area near the Procida and Ischia
channels where waters influenced by the Volturno river plume and the
Cuma sewage outfall occurred. The phytoplankton community (480 • 10 3
cel~I-1) was largely dominated by diatoms that represented 90% of the
entire population (Carrada et al., 1981a).
The Gulf of Salerno as compared to the Gulf of Naples had less notable hydrographic and biological gradients giving a less marked spatial
heterogeneity. Small rivers, that drain intensively cultivated fields
south of Salerno, and urban sewage outfalls constituted the main sources
of nutrient enrichment in these coastal waters. Maximal nutrient concentrations never attained those observed for coastal waters in the Gulf
of Naples. This may be primarily due to differences in nutrient inputs
and mixing dynamics for the two basins. Lower and more uniformly distributed values for phytoplankton biomass were recorded for inshore waters of the Gulf of Salerno.
Chlorophyll a concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 4.33 (x O.GS) mg
-3
m
were measured in surface coastal waters out to the 50 m isobath during July 1982. The highest values were recorded near the city of Salerno and in proximity to the outlet of a small river located in the southern part of the Gulf. Weighted mean values for primary production at
-3 -1
two inshore stations (C1 and C2) were 11 and G mg C m d • Phytoplankton populations consisting mainly of dinoflagellates (small naked dinoflagellates and several species of Protoperidinium and Proroaentrum) and
small flagellates less than 10 ~ dominated the community. Diatom or dinoflagellate dominated blooms occasionally took place off the coast of Salerno in late spring and summer.
Intense dinoflagellate blooms of