In situ Quantification of the Impact of Episodic Enhanced Turbulent Events on Large Phytoplankton
Abstract
Our long-term goal is to understand how physical-biological, biological-biological and chemical-biological interactions control the patch structure and ecology of phytoplankton inhabiting coastal shelves, upwelling areas, fjords and banks. We are especially interested in ways in which species-specific properties, including colony size and shape (diatoms) and motility (flagellates and photosynthetic ciliates) interact with physical processes to regulate phytoplankton dynamics and spatial-temporal distribution patterns. We wish to understand these processes in sufficient detail to be able to predict bloom dynamics, biodiversity, size structure, and the impact of species-specific characteristics of the phytoplankton on ocean optics. Our objective is to evaluate and refine the techniques needed to test the hypothesis that brief exposure to high turbulence levels (such as those occurring during episodic wind events) will break long chains of fragile diatom species and damage or even kill individual cells of sensitive species thus altering the particle characteristics, size structure, and composition of the phytoplankton community and the resulting bulk optical properties of the water column. We are particularly interested in testing and refining the ability of our CytoSense submersible scanning flow cytometer to quantify in situ not only the abundance, length and bio-optical characteristics of large non-spheroid phytoplankton, but also the occurrence of broken chains and damaged or dead cells. We are also interested in testing our lab-based models that predict that growth, chain length and morphology of large chain forming diatoms are affected by sustained exposure to low and moderate levels of turbulence during bloom development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA541743
Entities
People
- James Sullivan
- Jan Rines
- Percy L. Donaghay
Organizations
- University of Rhode Island