The Primary Production of Phytoplankton in the Western Channel of the Korea Strait

The primary productivity and chlorophyll a were measured at 3 stations in the western channel of the Korea Strait throughout the year from November 1983 to September 1984. The surface primary productivity in autumn 1983 ranged from 9.24-13.05 mg and chlorophyll a from , and showed the highest value throughout the year. The surface primary productivity in winter 1984 ranged from 0.75-1.77 m and chlorophyll a from . and these values were higher than those in summer. The surface primary productivity in spring 1984 ranged from 3.42-6.68 mg and chlorophyll a from , and these values were lower than those in autumn. The surface primary productivity in summer 1984 ranged from 0.57-0.79 mg and chlorophyll a from , and showed the lowest value throughout the year. The assimilation number of surface phytoplankton populations were relatively high, especially high value in autumn and spring, and low value in winter. The primary productivity and assimilation number were rapidly decreased with the increase of depth.