comparison between the central area and the surrounding water
masses, the central area and coastal area were defined as the areas
with a water depth N50 m and ≤50 m (Fig. 1). A one-way ANOVA was
used for statistical analysis following a test for the homogeneity of the
variances. The significance level was set at p b 0.05. ANOVA results
were compared using the least significant difference method, and the
phytoplankton biomass (in terms of Chl a concentrations) was logtransformed
because of the possibly very high variance induced by the
patchy distribution of Chl a. Themean nutrient and Chl a concentrations
were calculated as the integratedmean in the euphotic zone (integrated
value/depth).