title: Investigating the spatial distribution of phototrophic picoplankton in a tropical estuary.
abstract: We sampled extensively (29 stations) at the Klang estuarine system over a 3-day scientific expedition. We measured physical and chemical variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, dissolved inorganic nutrients) and related them to the spatial distribution of phototrophic picoplankton (Ppico). Multivariate analysis of variance of the physicochemical variables showed the heterogeneity of the Klang estuarine system where the stations at each transect were significantly different (Rao's F₁₈, ₃₆ = 8.401, p < 0.001). Correlation analyses also showed that variables related to Ppico abundance and growth were mutually exclusive. Distribution of Ppico was best explained by the physical mixing between freshwater and seawater whereas Ppico growth was correlated with temperature.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, lee@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Choon Weng
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joon Hai
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Pei Li
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Heng
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D010933:Plankton / Q000254:growth & development*; D054712:Salinity; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D014329:Tropical Climate