Composition and biomass of phytoplankton in the Northwest Pacific in summer 1990

According to results of Cruise 22 of R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in the Northwest Pacific in July-August 1990, picophytoplankton represented mainly by cyanobacteria (up to 90%) comprised from 70 to 99% of total phytoplankton. Nanophytoplankton constituted substantial part of total biomass (22-37%) and consisted mainly of small phytoflagellates (2-4 ?m), cryptomonades, and coccolithophorids Emiliania huxleyi. Summer species such as Neodenticula seminae prevailed among large phytoplankton. Horizontal and vertical distribution of phytoplankton groups and species was described. Taxonomy and vertical distribution were related to nutrient concentrations in the upper mixed layer.