Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1996

DOI

10.1029/96jc01718

Publication Title

Journal of Geophysical Research

Volume

101

Issue

C10

Pages

22647-22676

Abstract

A time- and depth-dependent, physical-bio-optical model was developed for the California coastal transition zone (CTZ) with the overall objective of understanding and quantifying the processes that contribute to the vertical and temporal development of nutrient and plankton distributions in the CTZ. The model food web components included silicate, nitrate, ammonium, two phytoplankton size fractions, copepods, doliolids, euphausiids, and a detritus pool. The wavelength-dependent subsurface irradiance field was attenuated by sea water and phytoplankton pigments. The one-dimensional (1-D) model adequately simulated the development and maintenance of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum in different regions within the CTZ. An analysis of the individual terms in the model governing equations revealed that phytoplankton in situ growth was primarily responsible for the creation and maintenance of the subsurface chlorophyll maximum at both coastal and oceanic regions in the CTZ. The depth to which the maximum in situ growth occurred was controlled by the combined effect of light and nutrient limitation. Also, the simulated bio-optical fields demonstrated the effect of nonlinear couplings between food web components and the subsurface irradiance field on vertical biological distributions. In particular, the epsilon-folding scale of the subsurface photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) was influenced by the level of zooplankton grazing.

Original Publication Citation

Moisan, J.R., & Hofmann, E.E. (1996). Modeling nutrient and plankton processes in the California coastal transition zone: 1. A time- and depth-dependent model. Journal of Geophysical Research, 101(C10), 22647-22676. doi: 10.1029/96jc01718

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