Long‐term study of minerogenic particle optics in Cayuga Lake, New York. (27th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Effler, Steven W.; Peng, Feng
• Is Part Of: Limnology and oceanography. Volume 59:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2014-01-27
• Subjects: Limnology -- Periodicals; Oceanography -- Periodicals; Océanographie; Limnologie; Limnology; Oceanography; Computer network resources; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Periodicals; 551.4805
• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2014.59.2.0325
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-3590

Abstract

Abstract : The dynamics of light scattering by minerogenic particles in the upper waters of Cayuga Lake, New York, were characterized for the spring—autumn interval of 8 yr (1999–2006) at pelagic and nearshore sites with a scanning electron microscope interfaced with automated image and x‐ray analyses (SAX). SAX results were used to estimate the minerogenic scattering coefficient ( b m ) through Mie theory calculations. SAX—Mie supported a two‐component model for particulate scattering ( b p ) that included an organic component of scattering ( b o ), estimated from a bio‐optical model. The credibility of the b m estimates and the two‐component modeling approach was demonstrated through good closure of the modeling results with bulk values of b p (estimated from measurements of the beam attenuation coefficient at 660 nm). The average of the ratio b p : ( b m + b o ) was 1.03 (average relative error 19.4%). Two minerogenic particle types were important in regulating the dynamics of b m —clay minerals that increased in concentration in response to runoff events, and calcium carbonate precipitated mostly on small organic particles during short‐term late‐summer whiting events. b m was attributed to particles in the size range of 1–10 µm. Variations in b m dominated the overall variations in b p and Secchi disk depth; differences in b o explained well those observed in b p during dry weather intervals of low b m . Higher b m values, mainly associated with clay mineral particles, were observed at the nearshore site as opposed to the pelagic location; there was a positive linkage between these levels and tributary flow rate.