DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF MODERN COCCOLITHOPHORES IN THE EAST CHINA SEA IN SPRING, 2014 AND THEIR RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENT

The community of coccolithophores in the East China Sea during the spring (18th May to 13th June) of 2014 are studied in this research. The community composition and spatial distribution of living coccolithophores (LCs) in the survey area are revealed and the influence of environmental factors discussed. 89 plankton samples are analyzed by scanning electronic microscope with Emiliania huxleyi, Gephyrocapsa oceanica, Syracosphaera spp., Gephyrocapsa ericsoni as dominant species. The cell abundance of coccolithophores ranges in 0~356.40 cells/mL and the abundance of coccoliths is in the range of 0~2 062.38/mL. LCs are mainly distributed in 0 to 50 m water depth. Coccoliths increase rapidly in the deepest water layer.No matter in surface water or vertical water, the LCs cell abundance and diversity index demonstrate a rising tendency both from costal to ocean and from northwest to southeast.Temperature, salt and nutrient concentrations are suggested as the major environmental factors controlling the distribution of LCs in the ECS.