A comparison of concentrations of macronutrients and chlorophyll a in high- and low- chlorophyll concentration areas around the Galápagos Islands

Abstract

The Galápagos archipelago is a hot spot of life in an open ocean of low production. The ecosystem of the islands depends on dissolved nutrients, which determine how much and what types of phytoplankton occur. This then determines size and distribution of micro and macro fauna that feed in the nutrient-rich waters. Water samples to measure nutrient concentrations were taken at six stations, three in the west and three in the east of the main island of Isabela.