Dependence of subsurface chlorophyll on seasonal water masses in the Chukchi Sea. Issue 3 (16th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martini, Kim I.; Stabeno, Phyllis J.; Ladd, Carol; Winsor, Peter; Weingartner, Thomas J.; Mordy, Calvin W.; Eisner, Lisa B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1755
• Page End: 1770
• Publication Date: 2016-03-16
• Subjects: Chukchi Sea -- chlorophyll; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JC011359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: During the late summer, phytoplankton in the northeastern Chukchi Sea are typically found in subsurface layers. These layers and their sensitivity to local changes in hydrography and nutrient concentrations are characterized by combining data from a high‐resolution towed sampling platform with traditional shipboard observations. The replacement of surface meltwater and deeper nutrient‐rich Chukchi Winter Water by northward flowing nutrient‐poor Chukchi Summer Water and Remnant Winter Water leads to a net decrease in biomass and smaller phytoplankton. Between 17 and 67% of phytoplankton biomass is contained within the subsurface layers. This estimate is nearly twice as high as previous estimates from sparser shipboard data and suggests subsurface phytoplankton contribute significantly to the net biomass in the Chukchi Sea in late summer. Key Points: Chukchi Sea subsurface chlorophyll layers are sensitive to seasonal water mass changes Nutrient‐rich Winter Water replaces nutrient‐poor Chukchi Summer Water causing biomass to decrease Subsurface chlorophyll layers contribute 17 – 67% of net biomass, higher than previous estimates