Biological Activity at Oceanic Fronts.

Abstract

Oceanic fronts, the sharp transition regions between different water masses, exhibit enhanced biological activity which can: (1) mechanically concentrate and/or sort various plankton and particulate substances, including pollutants; (2) stimulate increased autotrophic and heterotrophic productivity, including red tide conditions; (3) affect behavioral patterns such as diurnal vertical movements of plankton and migration of oceanic fishes; (4) juxtapose communities that otherwise would not interact, forming new community assemblages; and (5) limit the distributions of various organisms, serving as biogeographical boundaries. Partial contents: Types of fronts; Particle accumulation; Enhancement of plankton biomass and production; Behavioral responses of nekton; Ecological importance of fronts. Keywords: Upwelling; Estuaries; Plume fronts; Marine biology; Downwelling.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA163006

Entities

People

  • Kimberley Davis
  • William M. Dunstan

Organizations

  • Old Dominion University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Continental Shelves
  • Convection
  • Environment
  • Fish
  • Fisheries
  • Food Chains
  • Geography
  • Gulf Stream
  • Mixing
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Particles
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Topography
  • Turbulence

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Coastal Oceanography