Adenosine triphosphate concentrations and microplankton biomass in sea water of the Peru upwelling region

ATP distribution in coastal waters off Peru was examined and was found to differ with hydrological conditions in this area; maximal values in the vicinity of an intense upwelling were the same in 1974 and 1978. ATP distribution was highly non-uniform in 1978, particularly in upper layers of the northern section, due to disruption of a community (dense patches of bloom), which began about 10-15 days before our observations, and also because of appearance of a red tide. Unusually intense microplankton metabolism was found in Peruvian waters, particularly in the lower layers of the northern section, where ATP concentration of 3.6 ?g/l were found. Values of live microplankton biomass presented.