The Primary Production in the Norwegian Sea in June 1954, Measured by an Adapted 14C Technique
This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 144. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 144".
The migrations of fish shoals in search of food is presumed to be influenced by the food supply in the different water bodies. When investigating the movements of the fish it might be of interest to know the extension and intensity of the productive and unproductive areas of the ocean, and as regards the resources of the sea knowledge of the primary production might also give valuable advice.
During the hydrographical cruise in the Norwegian Sea (21. May—1. July) with the research vessel “G. O. Sars” the opportunity was taken to carry out observations on the primary production.
From such observations at the hydrographical stations it would be desirable if charts of the productive areas might be drawn and the results brought in relation to the hydrographical, zooplanktonic, and fish investigations. There are, however, certain restrictions in regard to the method of observation:
- The sampling should cause a minimum of delay to the rather strained programme of the research vessel.
- The method should give comparable values, where differences in production owing to changes in the condition of the weather were eliminated.
- The results should be given for a mean day of the area investigated.
Furthermore, the method should be convenient to use in all weather conditions during day and night. To satisfy these restrictions a modification of Steemann Nielsen’s (1952) 14C method was used.
