Note on the Planktonic Primary Production in Fanning Island Lagoon

Abstract

A single series of representative observations indicates that both the
\nproductivity and standing crop of phytoplankton in Fanning Lagoon are much
\ngreater than reported in the lagoons of other Pacific atolls. Productivity, as measured
\nby the radiocarbon method, averaged 9.29 mg C/m^3/hr, while chlorophyll a
\naveraged 0.548 µg/liter. Phytoplankton, principally dinoflagellates with some diatoms
\nand coccoid blue-greens, averaged 12.6 X 10^4 cells/liter. The relative richness
\nof this lagoon compared with others appears to be due to the greater availability of
\nnutrients which, in turn, is caused by the unique geographic features of the atoll.