@article{fdi:010086858,
  title = {{I}nfluence of nutrient gradient on phytoplankton size structure, primary production and carbon transfer pathway in a highly productive area ({SE} {M}editerranean)},
  author = {{C}hkili, {O}. and {M}eddeb, {M}. and {K}ousri, {K}. {M}. and {G}arali, {S}. {M}. {B}. and {B}elkhahia, {N}. {M}. and {T}edetti, {M}arc and {P}agano, {M}arc and {Z}ouari, {A}. {B}. and {B}elhassen, {M}. and {N}iquil, {N}. and {H}laili, {A}. {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{W}e assessed the spatial variability in the size structure of phytoplankton, community composition, primary production and carbon fluxes through the planktonic food web of the {G}ulf of {G}abes ({GG}; {S}outheastern {M}editerranean {S}ea) in the fall of 2017 during the {MERMEX}-{MERITE} cruise. {H}igh concentrations in nutrients, chlorophyll a (similar to 2-6 mu g {L}-1) and primary production (1816-3674 mg {C} m(-2) d(-1)) revealed an eutrophic status of the studied stations in the {GG}. {I}n accordance with hydrodynamic features, inorganic nutrients showed increases in concentrations from {N}orth to {S}outh and from coast to offshore, these nutrient gradients impacting the spatial distribution of phytoplankton community. {S}ize-fractioned phytoplankton biomass and production were the lowest in the northernmost zone where they were mainly sustained by pico-sized fraction. {C}oncomitantly, in this area, small aloricate ciliates were dominant leading to a high microbivory. {C}onversely, higher biomass and production were measured towards the {S}outh and offshore with prevalence of larger phytoplankton (nano- and/or micro-sized fractions) supported by diatoms. {T}he herbivorous protozooplankton and metazooplankton were more abundant in these zones, resulting in an increase of the herbivory. {T}he vertical particulate organic carbon flux followed also a north-south and coast-offshore increasing gradient, with a higher contribution of phytoplankton, and zooplankton fecal pellets to the sinking organic matter in the southernmost area. {O}ur results suggest that even in nutrient-rich and highly productive waters, a continuum of trophic pathways, ranging from microbial to multivorous and herbivorous food webs, may exist, which implies different efficiencies in carbon export and carrying capacity within the ecosystem.},
  keywords = {{P}hytoplankton size-structure ; {P}rimary production ; {Z}ooplankton grazing ; {P}lanktonic food web ; {M}editerranean gulf ; {MEDITERRANEE} ; {TUNISIE} ; {GABES} {GOLFE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{O}cean {S}cience {J}ournal},
  volume = {58},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {6 [23 ]},
  ISSN = {1738-5261},
  year = {2023},
  DOI = {10.1007/s12601-023-00101-6},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086858},
}