Influence of light in the mixed-layer on the parameters of a three-component model of phytoplankton size class

Brewin, RJW, Sathyendranath, S, Jackson, T, Barlow, RG, Brotas, V, Airs, RL and Lamont, T 2015 Influence of light in the mixed-layer on the parameters of a three-component model of phytoplankton size class. Remote Sensing of Environment, 168. 437-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2015.07.004

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Abstract/Summary

Phytoplankton size structure is an important indicator of the state of the pelagic ecosystem. Stimulated by the paucity of in situ observations on size structure, and by the sampling advantages of autonomous remote platforms, new efforts are being made to infer the size-structure of the phytoplankton from oceanographic variables that may be measured at high temporal and spatial resolution, such as total chlorophyll concentration. Large-scale analysis of in situ data has revealed coherent relationships between size-fractionated chlorophyll and total chlorophyll that can be quantified using the three-component model of Brewin et al. (2010). However, there are variations surrounding these general relationships. In this paper, we first revise the three-component model using a global dataset of surface phytoplankton pigment measurements. Then, using estimates of the average irradiance in the mixed-layer, we investigate the influence of ambient light on the parameters of the three-component model. We observe significant relationships between model parameters and the average irradiance in the mixed-layer, consistent with ecological knowledge. These relationships are incorporated explicitly into the three-component model to illustrate variations in the relationship between size-structure and total chlorophyll, ensuing from variations in light availability. The new model may be used as a tool to investigate modifications in size-structure in the context of a changing climate.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Subjects:	Biology Botany Earth Observation - Remote Sensing Earth Sciences Marine Sciences Oceanography
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Earth Observation Science and Applications
Depositing User:	Robert Brewin
Date made live:	20 Aug 2015 09:50
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 09:56
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/6502

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