Distribution and Composition of Photosynthetic Pigments in the South China Sea, Area II: Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam Waters

Abstract

Depth integrated biomass of phytoplankton in the southern part of the South China Sea off Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam and Sabah in July 1996 and May 1997 was represented by in situ fluorescence. The total biomass in the study area was not much different between the 2 surveys. However, the spatial distribution of biomass clearly showed a unique pattern for each cruise. In overall, the local biomass per unit area did not correlate strongly with surface mixed layer thickness and sea surface temperature, two indicators of upwelling used in this study. Yet, anomalously high biomass of phytoplankton found in the vicinity of Stations 37 and 38 for both survey periods could be partially related by upwelling nearby.