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MEPS 223:61-71 (2001)
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Abstract
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Temporal and spatial occurrence of thin phytoplankton layers in relation to physical processes
Margaret M. Dekshenieks1,*, Percy L. Donaghay2, James M. Sullivan2, Jan E. B. Rines2, Thomas R. Osborn3, Michael S. Twardowski2
1Ocean Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
2Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA
3The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
*E-mail: margaret@es.ucsc.edu
ABSTRACT: In 1996 three cruises were conducted to simultaneously quantify the fine-scale optical and physical structure of the water column. Data from 120 profiles were used to investigate the temporal occurrence and spatial distribution of thin layers of
phytoplankton as they relate to variations in physical processes. Thin layers ranged in thickness from a few centimeters to a few meters. They may extend horizontally for kilometers and persist for days. Thin layers are a recurring feature in the marine
environment; they were observed and measured in 54% of our profiles. Physical processes are important in the temporal and spatial distribution of thin layers. Thin layer depth was closely associated with depth and strength of the pycnocline. Over 71% of
all thin layers were located at the base of, or within, the pycnocline. The strong statistical relationships between thin layers and physical structure indicate that we cannot understand thin layer dynamics without understanding both local circulation
patterns and regional physical forcing.
KEY WORDS: Thin layer · Phytoplankton · Coastal circulation · East Sound
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
223
(2001) on November 28
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2001
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