Coccolithophores in the Gulf of Mexico (M67/2)

在本研究中，我们将对墨西哥湾东南部现存颗石藻的空间分布进行调查，以阐明该地区环境与纳米菌群之间的关系。为了缩小“传统”物种以及可用形态的首选生存条件，我们将检查并将物种的出现至少与磷酸盐和硝酸盐含量以及温度和盐度相关联。此外，还旨在检验在冷水渗漏以上水域繁荣的球石藻群落是否与不受其直接影响的水域不同。总的来说，我们认为这项研究将有助于更好地确定单个物种和颗石藻作为一个群体的生态位。

In the proposed study we will investigate the spatial distribution of the living coccolithophores in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico in order to clarify the relationships between the environment and the nannoflora in this region. We will examine and correlate the species occurrences at least to the means of phosphate and nitrate content as well as temperatures and salinities, in order to narrow down the preferred living conditions of “traditional” species as well as of the available morphotypes. In addition, it is intended to check whether the coccolithophore communities prospering in the waters above cool-water seeps differ from those not directly influenced by them. In general we suspect that this study will help to better determine the ecological niche of single species and coccolithophores as a group.