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Optical and hydrographic consequences of freshwater runoff during spring phytoplankton growth in a Scottish fjord

McKee, David and Cunningham, Alex and Jones, K. (2002) Optical and hydrographic consequences of freshwater runoff during spring phytoplankton growth in a Scottish fjord. Journal of Plankton Research, 24 (11). pp. 1163-1171. ISSN 0142-7873

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Abstract

A combination of in situ measurements and radiative transfer modelling were used to study optical conditions in the inner basin of Loch Etive, a Scottish fjord, in March and April 2000. The basin was strongly stratified with three layers separated by marked pycnoclines. The surface layer averaged 5 m in depth and was heavily stained with coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) which reduced the euphotic depth to between 7 and 10 m. Approximately 20% of the photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) in the water column was absorbed by phytoplankton, 44% by CDOM and 36% by sea water. Detectable concentrations of the major inorganic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate and silicate) occurred at all depths, but significant phytoplankton populations (averaging 6 mg chlorophyll a m-3) were found only in the reduced-salinity surface layer. The freshwater input therefore acted both as a source of buoyancy which promoted phytoplankton growth near the surface and as an attenuator of visible light which inhibited growth deeper in the water column.

Item type: Article
ID code: 2910
Keywords: optics, hydrography, phytoplankton growth, fjords, nanoscience, Solid state physics. Nanoscience, Ecology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Aquatic Science
Subjects: Science > Physics > Solid state physics. Nanoscience
Department: Faculty of Science > Physics
Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
Depositing user: Strathprints Administrator
Date deposited: 21 Feb 2007
Last modified: 12 Oct 2017 00:02
URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/2910
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