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Inferring Physical Processes in Coastal Waters Using Phytoplankton Structure

This study examines the dynamics of pycnocline/thermocline, biomass distribution, and community structure in coastal waters through optical coherence analysis. The research investigates the correlation between phytoplankton structure and bulk optical properties to infer physical processes affecting marine ecosystems.

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Inferring Physical Processes in Coastal Waters Using Phytoplankton Structure

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  1. Inferring Physical Processes Using Phytoplankton Structure and Bulk Optical Properties in Coastal Waters Mark A. Moline California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obsipo, CA 93401 Paul W. Bissett Florida Environmental Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33611 Robert Chant, Scott Glenn and Oscar Schofield Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

  2. Objectives • Dynamics of Pycnocline/Thermocline • Cross-Shelf Biomass • Cross-Shelf Community Structure • Optical Coherence

  3. Study Area

  4. Profiling Time Series Temperature July 2001

  5. Profiling Time Series Fluorometry July 2001

  6. Study Area

  7. Cross-Shelf Dynamics Range (km) 0 4 8 12 16

  8. Cross-Shelf Dynamics

  9. Cross-Shelf Dynamics

  10. Study Area N1 Line S1 Line

  11. 7/12/2001 Brunt Vasalia Frequency (N2) Max N2 Depth Integrated Fluorescence 7/29/2001 Max Density Gradient

  12. Max N2 Depth Max Density Gradient 20 Distance Offshore (km) 0 Aug 1 Aug 1 Jul 20 Jul 26 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date Date m 18 0.02 0 0

  13. Max Density Gradient Integrated Fluorescence 20 Distance Offshore (km) 0 Aug 1 Aug 1 Jul 20 Jul 26 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date Date 0.02 0.02 0 0

  14. day Distance N2Depth Gradient IntFL day 1 Distance -0.00162 1 N2Depth 0.40403 0.429578 1 Gradient -0.3783 0.573486 0.120661 1 IntFL 0.579284 0.221738 0.739024 -0.15691 1 day Distance N2Depth Gradient IntFL day 67.66261 Distance -0.07543 31.96035 N2Depth 10.88214 7.951964 10.72143 Gradient -0.01183 0.012324 0.001502 1.45E-05 IntFL 12236341 3219081 6213992 -1531.66 6.59E+12 Correlation (R) Coherence

  15. Fluorescence vs. Density 3000 Relative Fluorescence 0 1020 1025 Density

  16. Spatial Time Series

  17. Spatial Time Series

  18. Fluorescence vs. Density 2000 Aug 1 Aug 2 Aug 3 Aug 6 Relative Fluorescence 0 1020 1025 Density

  19. Cross-Shelf Biomass Structure 14 Chlorophyll a mg/L Distance Offshore (km) 12 0 7 Community Structure Derived from Pigments CHEMTAX (Mackey et al. 1996; MEPS) 0 Aug 1 Jul 12 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date

  20. Prasinophytes Chlorophytes Cryptophytes Cyanophyta Diatoms Dinoflagellates Haptophytes 35 22 30 18 10 40 55 Cross-Shelf Community Structure 14 n = 255 Distance Offshore (km) 7 % Total Pigment 0 0 Aug 1 Jul 12 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date

  21. Prasinophytes Cyanophyta Distance Offshore (km) Dinoflagellates Haptophytes Maxdr Maxdr Date Date

  22. Samples taken from pycnocline significantly differed from near surface samples for two groups. • Diatoms % increased with depth • Cyanophyta % decreased with depth (increasing offshore)

  23. Cross-Shelf Biomass Structure 14 Chlorophyll a mg/L Distance Offshore (km) 12 0 7 0 Aug 1 Jul 12 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date

  24. Absorption 440nm Attenuation 440nm 20 Distance Offshore (km) 0 Aug 1 Aug 1 Jul 20 Jul 26 Jul 20 Jul 26 Date Date 1/m 1.5 1/m 6 0 0

  25. Max d r Att 440nm Chl 440nm 20 Distance Offshore (km) 0 Date ug/L 12 0 0.02 1/m 6 0 0

  26. Conclusions • Region (2001) Dominated by Downwelling and Upwelling Cycles • Weak Nearshore Gradients (Downwelling) Result in Phytoplankton increase • Phytoplankton Community Structured By Episodic Events: • Deeper N2 Favor Cyanophyta and Haptophytes • Weak Gradients favor Cryptophytes and Prasinophytes • Strong Gradients favor Diatoms and Haptophytes • Space/Time Coherence with Physical Forcing/Optics/Biology

  27. Future Work • Expand to Full Grid (1999-2001) • Work with ADCP Currents – Shear • Nutrient Data • Validation of ROMS/ECOSIM

  28. Cyanophyta Diatoms

  29. National Undersea Research Program Acknowledgements • Crews of the R/V Caleta • Crews of the R/V Walford • Trisha Bergmann • Shelley Blackwell • Mike Crowley • Josh Kohut • Matthew Oliver • Cristina Orrico • Jessica Pearson • Sponsor Support

  30. Study Area N1 Line S1 Line

  31. Study Area Gradient Brunt Vaisala Frequency (N2)

  32. Bathymetry Effect

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