Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS07 Biogeochemical Cycles

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 2:45:00 PM

Location: Cochiti/Taos

Karp-Boss, L, , Oregon State University/COAS, Corvallis, USA, lkarpboss@oce.orst.edu

Wheeler, P, A, Oregon State University/COAS, Corvallis, USA, pwheeler@oce.orst.edu

Letelier, R, M, Oregon State University/COAS, Corvallis, USA, letelier@oce.orst.edu

Spatial variability of particulate and dissolved material in relation to hydrographic parameters in an upwelling system.

It has long been known that the physical and biological characteristics of eastern boundary current systems vary intensely in space and time. Satellite images of surface temperature and chlorophyll from the Oregon coast show a complex pattern of eddies, filaments and jets. Both satellite images and mesoscale ship-based measurements indicate spatial and temporal association between biological and physical patterns but are not sufficient in resolving the nature and degree of this association. Spatial or temporal resolution can be greatly increased by using optical instruments in a flow through mode at sea. To study the spatial heterogeneity of phytoplankton and other particulate and dissolved material in relation to the spatial structure of salinity and temperature in the waters of the Oregon coast, we connected an attenuation-absorption meter (ac-9) and a fluorometer to the uncontaminated seawater line of R/V Wecoma. Optical signals were decomposed to infer the concentrations of phytoplankton biomass, other organic and non- organic particles, particle size distribution and dissolved organic material. Simultaneously, mesoscale surveys in which water samples were taken for biological and chemical analysis were conducted. The degree of coherence between scales of variability in optical properties and hydrographic parameters is examined and will be discussed in relation to chemical and biological data collected simultaneously.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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