Primary productivity of the South China Sea

Abstract

Investigations on the Euphotic Zone primary productivity of the South China Sea, at five predetermined stations and at various depths, demonstrated the existence of two distinct communities, viz. the surface and subsurface productivity communities, At most of the stations, the subsurface community biomass was 3 - 5 times greater than that of the surface community. The exception being station 5y located nearest to the Bashi Straits. The probable reasons for such phenomena and their significance are discussed.