Primary Production Determination in the South China Sea, Area I: Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Primary production in the Gulf of Thailand and the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia was determined from in situ fluorescense, light intensity in September-October, 1995 cruise, and from the uptake of radioactive carbon incubation in the October, 1996 cruise. The primary production rate was found to be 0.20-0.61 and 0.29-0.47gC/m²/day for the Gulf of Thailand and the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. At nearshore stations, higher rate of primary production was found at sea surface, and it gradually decreased with depth. However, at offshore stations, where subpycnocline chlorophyll maximum was found, the rate was increased again at this layer.