The distribution of chlorophyll a in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean in boreal autumn

The distribution and size fractions of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean in boreal autumn were investigated during October and November, 2011. Environmental factors, including hydrology and nutrients, that might affect the distribution and size composition were analyzed. A total of 18 stations including 11 CTD stations and 7 navigation stations were selected which stretch from the northwest coast of South America to the area of the central Pacific Ocean south of the Hawaiian Islands (2.77°S–13.02°N, 84.11–154.02°W). The studied area can be divided into two transects: the 6°N transect (124–148°W) and the154°W transect (10–13°N). Results showed that the surface Chl a concentration was higher in the east near the northwest coast of South America (>0.200 mg/m3) and lower in the west (0.100–0.200 mg/m3), and it presented a highly significant negative correlation with sea surface temperature (p < 0.001). There were some differences between the sectional distribution of Chl a concentration between the 6°N and 154°W transects. The high values of Chl a concentration occurred near the surface along the 6°N transect (0–75 m), while they were relatively deeper along the 154°W transect (50–100 m). Iron might be the factor that limited the growth of phytoplankton in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Picophytoplankton (Pico) was the dominant taxa in the surveyed area, particularly in the waters along the two transects (>70% of total Chl a). The Pico to total Chl a ratio was higher in the upper layer (>70%) than in the deeper layer.