CoBOP Coral Reefs: Optical Closure of a Coral Reef Submarine Light Field

Abstract

Mostly because of the extensive field work during the Coastal Benthic Optical Properties Project at Lee Stocking Island in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, we have surmised that the traditional problems concerning nutrient regulation of primary production in shallow subtropical benthic communities are poorly understood. Comparative measurements at sites throughout the Bahamas and Florida Keys have suggested that the interaction between nutrient replete deep waters that surround these islands and the porous carbonate platforms provide adjunct avenues of nutrient enrichment. The forces that act to drive this system of nutrient supply are hydrostatic pressure, the earth's rotation and geothermal heating. Our major goal has been to develop a descriptive model of these processes with the end member as predictions of kinetic growth in time and space.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2003
Accession Number
ADA628582

Entities

People

  • Charles S. Yentsch
  • David A. Phinney

Organizations

  • Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbonates
  • Communities
  • Coral Reefs
  • Deep Water
  • Efficiency
  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • Measurement
  • Mechanics
  • Oceans
  • Optical Properties
  • Platforms
  • Regulations
  • Submarines
  • Surface Waters
  • Topography
  • Water
  • Water Masses

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Oceanography.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space