Heterotrophic bacterial production in the Cretan Sea (NE Mediterranean)

In March and September 1995, bacterial production was measured by the H-3-l eucine method in the oligotrophic Cretan Sea (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterra nean) in the framework of the CINCS/MTP program. Samples were obtained from four stations (a coastal, a continental shelf and 2 open-sea stations) for the construction of vertical profiles of bacterial abundance and productio n. Bacterial production ranged from 0.1 mu g C m(-3) h(-1) at 1500 m depth, to 82 mu g C m(-3) h(-1) in March at 50 m at the coastal station. Higher b acterial integrated production was observed in March at the coastal station (131 mg C m(-2) d(-1) for the 0-100 m layer). Bacterial production, integr ated through the water-column, was similar in March and September for the o pen-sea stations (60-70 mg C m(-2) d(-1)). Relative to production, bacteria l concentrations varied little between stations and seasons ranging from 9x 10(5) ml(-1) to 3x10(5) ml(-1). Relationships between bacterial biomass and bacterial production indicated seasonal differences, likely reflecting res ource limitation of bacterial biomass in March (bloom situation), and preda tor limitation of bacterial biomass in September (post-bloom situation). (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.