Plankton Patch Feasibility Experiments
Abstract
My long-term goal is to increase our understanding of the biological-biological, physical-biological and chemical-biological interactions that control the initiation, maintenance and dissipation of plankton patches. This goal can most readily be achieved by directly measuring processes thought to control plankton patch dynamics, experimentally testing their importance, incorporating those processes into conceptual plankton dynamics models, and then testing the models in the ocean. My short-term objective is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the dynamics of thin layers. Thin layers are plankton patches that range in thickness from a few tens of centimeters to a few meters, yet can extend horizontally for kilometers and persist for more than 24 hours. In some cases thin layers can be sufficiently intense to affect biological rate processes and the performance of current and planned Navy optical and acoustical sensors. Although recent advances in optical and acoustic sensors have provided increasing evidence that thin layers can occur in a variety of stratified coastal systems, we are just beginning to sample their temporal and spatial extent and the mechanisms that control their dynamics. Our conceptual models based on a combination of tow tank experiments and preliminary field measurements have suggested that thin layer dynamics should be particularly sensitive to interactions with current shear and consumption by higher trophic levels (Donaghay and Osborn, 1997, Donaghay and Holliday, 1998).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA609785
Entities
People
- Percy L. Donaghay
Organizations
- University of Rhode Island