Origin, Transport and Fate of Nutrients and Phytoplankton in the Seaward Jets of the Coastal Transition Zone
Abstract
Repeated surveys off northern California during 1987 and 1988 provided high resolution tracks of nutrients, chlorophyll and phytoplankton species that enabled us to understand the chemical and biological consequences of the energetic jets and eddies of the Coastal Transition Zone (CTZ). CTD surveys during 1987 and 1988 focused on the coastal transition zone off northern California, the area between the narrow and productive coastal upwelling zone (about 25 km wide in the area of the study) and the extensive oligotrophic central gyre. The surveys encountered strong baroclinic jets that were evident in both the ADCP and hydrographic data. During June and July 1988 a filament with higher surface nitrate, higher chlorophyll, abundant populations of neritic centric diatoms and higher rates of primary production was evident perpendicular to the coast off Point Arena and Point Reyes. The filament was found through the survey grid which extended to 250 km from shore. The width of the feature was on the order of 75 km. High nutrient, high phytoplankton areas, dominated by neritic diatom communities, were found to the south and inshore of the baroclinic jets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 11, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243048
Entities
People
- Francisco P. Chavez
- Richard T. Barber
Organizations
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute