PRODUCTION AND FATE OF PHYTOPLANKTON BIOMASS IN AN EMBAYMENTS SYSTEM AT CENTRAL CHILE: AN HYPOTHESIS

Abstract

The Coastal upwelling process off Concepción Bay was described and we discussed the fertilization effect over the embayment system that exist at this area. The climatológica! pattern at the Coastal zona (36" Lat. South), produce two ocanographic features on an annual eyele: One period favourable to Coastal upwelling event (Spring and suminer) and another period of convergence of surface water to coast (Winter period). The upwelling event pulses supply nutrient lo surfase water and embayment system. producing, at these end areas, point of high production. The oxygen minimun water intruded to these embayments limiting the pelaging flsh comsumption and a surplus production was generated. The organic production which took place within embayment had two major late: Advecction to adjacentent Coastal waters and settle ai the bottom. Sedimented fraction wouid be reeyeled over a month period of time and incorpored as oxidative nutrient to the pelagic system durig the next winter.