Biological and Chemical Microstructure in Coastal Areas
Abstract
We developed and deployed a 2D planar laser imaging fluorometer system mounted on a free-falling vehicle. The vehicle also carried a CTD/fluorometer, an optical nitrate sensor, and a microstructure profiler, to acquire vertical profiles of particle fluorescence and chemical and physical distributions in the field. Our data, gathered 10 km offshore of San Diego, showed large variations in fluorescent particle properties (size-frequency distributions) with depth, with changes over 2-5 m that were larger than changes seen at a single depth over 1000's of kilometers. The phytoplankton were randomly distributed over scales <10 cm, but shoed pronounced gradients over larger scales. Layers -1 m thick of unusual particle properties (e.g., large particles, or long particles) were common, though these layers did not appear as features in the total fluorescence profiles. Such cryptic layers are likely a common occurrence, driven by the interleaving of existing horizontal patches by the vertical shear.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456690
Entities
People
- Jules S. Jaffe
- Peter J. S. Franks
Organizations
- University of California Regents