Vertical Distribution of Phytoplankton Community and Pigment Production in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea during the Late Summer Season

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

amánium is in my pdf instead of ammonium

As a result, the central YS has been observed distinct characteristics in nutrients, phytoplankton biomass, and size-fraction structure (line 62)

This is an example of needing an English speaking  grammar editor- the sentence should be arranged like this:

As a result, distinct characteristics in nutrients, phytoplankton biomass, and size-fraction structure hasve been observed in the central YS.

(have been, not has been) And the sentence is not specific enough- what kind of characteristics? Do you mean patterns?

During our observation period, the concentrations 331
of nitrate which is one of the important nitrogen sources for phytoplankton growth [38] 332

conditions due to their high nutritional affinity associated with their small cell size [46- 353
48], and cyanobacteria appear high preference for ammonium while diatoms preferentially utilize nitrate 354

to

conditions due to their high nutritional affinity associated with their small cell size [46- 353
48], while cyanobacteria appear to have a high preference for ammonium and diatoms preferentially utilize nitrate 354

 

It (This) means that the cyanobacteria, dominant phytoplankton classes in the surface depth, did 440

 

Search for "it" and consider replacing with "this"

This means that the

photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria, the dominant phytoplankton class in the surface layer, was 440 not optimal for producing the food materials 441 for higher trophic levels. 

(re-wording your text to clarify what you mean is something you should consider- since I can't go through the whole text for you)

Dissolved organic nitrogen is a significant nutrient source, and though I can see omitting analysis, you should not ignore how it could affect your discussion of DIN effects. see Glibert and Bronk papers for example- 4 x the regeneration rate of NH4 for example.

Conclusions: I wouldn't put in my conclusions things you found that have been shown to occur universally in all water bodies.

vertical variations- Always occur

surface layer- cyanos- always occurs Trichodesmium e.g.

water temperature and nitrogen affect...

I would not conclude something everyone already knows happens in all water bodies.

important clues related to various photosynthetic activities. Not a conclusion, and not specific enough.

 

This should go through an English speaking editor, probably a professional, or former English teacher.

Refs

Parsons, T.R.; Maita, Y.; Lalli, C. M. A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis. Pergamon, Oxford 514
sized algae and natural seston size fractions. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 1984, 199: 43-53. 515

should be

T. R. Parsons, Y. Maita & C. M. Lalli 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis. xiv + 173 pp. Oxford: Pergamon Press. 

 

 Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii,- italicize genus and species

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Review for the paper "Vertical distribution of phytoplankton community and pigment production in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea during the late summer season" by Jae Joong Kang, Yejin Kim, Chang Hwa Lee, Hyeju Yoo, Hyo Keun Jang, Myung Joon Kim, Sang Heon Lee submitted to "Water".

 

General comment.

In most aquatic ecosystems, the production cycle starts with phytoplankton. Inter-annual changes in the timing of phytoplankton blooms lead to a match or mismatch between phytoplankton and zooplankton. This, of course, determines the recruitment processes of higher trophic levels like fish. Microphytoplankton include photoautotrophic organisms mainly microalgae and they represent one of the main components of primary production worldwide. Phytoplankton also play a major role in biochemical fluxes in the oceans. Many studies have reported changes in phytoplankton communities and abundance to be crucial for marine trophic web structure, biochemical cycles and productivity as well as water quality and environmental health of pelagic ecosystems. The present study was focused on phytoplankton composition, vertical distribution and production of phytopigments in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea during a period with clear water stratification. The authors found similarity in phytoplankton composition and pigment production in both study areas while differences in the vertical distribution were determined. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton was related to water temperature and concentration of nutrients (i.e. nitrate and ammonium). Standard methods and techniques were used to collect samples and to treat the data in the study. The main results are illustrated with many Figures and Tables. Discussion is concerned with the main findings. Statistical methods are adequate and correctly used. New data on the phytoplankton of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea expand our knowledge about the functioning of pelagic ecosystems in the regions and may be useful for monitoring and assessment of water quality in the open sea areas.

 

Specific remarks.

 

Section 2.2. Please, indicate total number of samples for phytoplankton measurements.

 

M&M. Please, note in which form the average values were presented (with standard error, standard deviation or other).

 

L195. Consider replacing "Vertical structures" with "Vertical profiles".

 

Discussion. I recommend including a section to discuss environmental conditions during the study period relative to other summer studies and, possibly, other seasons to show seasonal differences in water temperature, salinity and nutrients. 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Thanks for this interesting paper entitled "Vertical distribution of phytoplankton community and pigment production in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea during the late summer season"
The manuscript is of high quality, has high scientific writing, and is presented well. As per my view paper is well written and can be considered for publication after the minor revision suggested in the attached pdf.  

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx