TITLE:    Statistical Analyses of Environmental Predictors for Phytoplankton 
	  Photosynthetic Parameters and Productivity in an Antarctic Time 
	  Series Database

AUTHORS:  Moline, M. A., B. B. Prezelin and O. Schofield

DATE:     1995

JOURNAL:  Antarctic Journal  of the United States, (accepted).
          Palmer LTER Contribution No. 90


ABSTRACT: Within the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program at
Palmer Station, Antarctica, a large database, including a suite of
physical, chemical,  & biological variables, was collected at a nearshore
station throughout the 1991-1992 austral summer.  Using these variables,
stepwise parametric and randomization regression techniques were employed
to generate algorithms to predict the temporal and spatial variability in
photosynthetic parameters and productivity.  Water density and nutrient
concentrations significantly predicted variability in photosynthetic
parameters and explained the majority of the production over the season,
indicating a strong coupling between productivity and water column
stability.  The addition of chlorophyll-a increased the significance of the
regressions.  Phytoplankton accessory pigments were found to only slightly
improve the relationships.  Results are used to comment on processes
controlling primary production and on the utility of empirical approaches
for predicting photosynthetic parameters and productivity in the Southern
Ocean.