학술논문

Turbulence as a driver for vertical plankton distribution in the subsurface upper ocean
Document Type
article
Source
Scientia Marina, Vol 77, Iss 4, Pp 541-549 (2013)
Subject
turbulence
deep chlorophyll maximum
vertical plankton distribution
Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
SH1-691
Language
English
ISSN
0214-8358
1886-8134
Abstract
Vertical distributions of turbulent energy dissipation rates and fluorescence were measured simultaneously with a high-resolution micro-profiler in four different oceanographic regions, from temperate to polar and from coastal to open waters settings. High fluorescence values, forming a deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), were often located in weakly stratified portions of the upper water column, just below layers with maximum levels of turbulent energy dissipation rate. In the vicinity of the DCM, a significant negative relationship between fluorescence and turbulent energy dissipation rate was found. We discuss the mechanisms that may explain the observed patterns of planktonic biomass distribution within the ocean mixed layer, including a vertically variable diffusion coefficient and the alteration of the cells’ sinking velocity by turbulent motion. These findings provide further insight into the processes controlling the vertical distribution of the pelagic community and position of the DCM.