Meridional Variations in the Concentration of Chlorophyll and Microparticles in the North Pacific Ocean
Abstract
The vertical distributions of chlorophyll a and microparticle concentration were recorded along two meridional transects of the eastern Pacific Ocean. One transect, obtained during the winter along l5O deg W, covered 15 deg S to 15 deg N, and the other transect, obtained during the summer along 155 deg W, covered 23 deg N to 57 deg N. Both distributions were measured optically: Chl a concentration was determined from the in situ fluorescence of Chl a, and microparticle concentration was determined from the transmittance of a collimated beam of light at 665 m. Two patterns are apparent from the data. First, meridional changes in the concentration of Chl a are paralleled by changes in particle concentration. Chlorophyll concentrations are high at the equator and at high latitudes where the concentrations of microparticles are also high. An examination of the vertical distributions of water density and nitrate concentration suggests that this pattern appears to be determined largely by the concentration or rate of supply of nitrate to the euphotic zone.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA277769
Entities
People
- Dale A. Kiefer
- Hasong Pak
- James C. Kitchen
Organizations
- Oregon State University