Characterization, Sources and Sinks of Colored Detrital Matter in the Ocean
Abstract
My primary research interest is the effect that phytoplankton community structure has on the optical fields and carbon cycling in the marine environment. Methods used in my lab are based on biomarkers, primarily chlorophylls, carotenoids and their degradation products. These are the chromophores which are responsible for a major fraction of the light absorbed in the ocean. It is my goal to characterize phytoplankton-derived chromophores in the marine environment and determine their effects on ocean optics and access their utility as biomarkers for the study of phytoplankton and processes associated with these in the ocean. The optical properties of the ocean are primarily determined by the optical properties of water, particles and dissolved matter. The absorption of light by particles is due to phytoplankton, colored detrital matter (CDetM) and minerals. Whereas the chromophores associated with phytoplankton have been studied extensively over the last 50 years, little is known about chromophores associated with CDetM even though these can contribute significantly to the absorption of light in the coastal zone. This project is a study of the nature and the sources and sinks of CDetM in the water column. The study's objectives are: 1. Characterize the chromophores of different classes of detrital matter, i.e., fresh and partially degraded fecal matter, resuspended sediments, particulate matter from below the euphotic zone and living organisms devoid of phytoplankton-derived pigments. 2. Search for specific chromophores that uniquely identify the different classes of detrital matter such that these marker-chromophores can be used to identify contributions of different classes of detrital matter to CDetM in the upper ocean. 3. Develop methods for the routine analysis and characterization of CDetM.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA609852
Entities
People
- Ralf Goericke
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography