[Phytoplankton biomass and high frequency of Prorocentrum donghaiense harmful algal bloom in Zhoushan sea area in spring].

Based on the two cruises comprehensive survey on Prorocentrum donghaiense harmful algal bloom (HAB) in Zhoushan sea area in spring 2002 and 2003, this paper studied the distribution pattern of phytoplankton biomass and its relationships with environmental factors. As to the grid station, the mean Chla concentration in surface water layer in spring 2002 was 1.09 +/- 1.63 mg x m(-3), ranged from 0.25 to 9.08 mg x m(-3). While in spring 2003, the survey was conducted in the sea area with an isobath of 50 m, where the topography changed suddenly and HAB happened frequently, the mean Chla of surface water layer was 4.21 +/- 5.33 mg x m(-3), ranged from 0.44 to 24.32 mg x m(-1). The maximum phytoplankton biomass appeared at the Changjiang Diluted Water frontal zone between 122.5 degrees E and 123 degrees E, where had ample nutrients and good conditions for light penetration in the water column. During the tracking investigation, the Chla concentration in surface water layer in spring 2002 and 2003 was 18.45 +/- 11.04 mg x m(-3) and 12.47 +/- 8.15 mg x m(-3), respectively. By the tracking investigation of P. donghaiense HAB, four results were found: a) the optimum salinity was between 26 and 30, b) the large scale and long lasted HAB algae was limited by P, c) suitable light condition, nutrients enrichment and water column stabilization were the three important conditions for HAB, and d) the convergent zone in plume front enhanced the gathering of P. donghaiense.