Résumé
We studied CO₂ and O₂ dynamics in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) waters in relation to (1) phytoplankton biomass, (2) microbial community primary production and respiration, and (3), for the first time, phytoplankton composition, during summer and fall in 3 consecutive years (2002, 2003 and 2004). The areal average of ΔpCO₂ (the difference between surface seawater and atmospheric partial pressure of CO₂) for the 3 yr was significantly negative (–20.04 ± 44.3 μatm, p < 0.01) during the summer to fall period in the region, possibly indicating a CO₂ sink. In the southern WAP (i.e. south of Anvers Island), ΔpCO₂ was significantly negative (–43.60 ± 39.06 μatm) during fall. In the northern WAP (north of Anvers Island), ΔpCO₂ values showed a more complex distribution during summer and fall (–4.96 ± 37.6 and 21.71 ± 22.39 μatm, respectively). Chlorophylla(chla) concentration averaged 1.03 ± 0.25 μg l–1and was higher in the south of the peninsula. Phytoplankton composition influenced chlaconcentration with higher and lower values for diatom- and phytoflagellate-dominated communities, respectively. A significant negative correlation existed between chlaand ΔpCO₂. From incubation experiments performed in the northern WAP, respiration was low (averaging 5.1 mmol O₂ m–3d–1), and the net community production (NCP) correlated negatively with ΔpCO₂ and positively with %O₂ saturation. However, despite the high NCP values measured, ΔpCO₂ was significantly positive in the northern WAP during the summer to fall period. Strong mixing and lower chlaconcentration may explain this result. In contrast, ΔpCO₂ was significantly negative in the southern WAP, possibly because of high surface water chlaconcentration.