Finescale Planktonic Vertical Structure: Horizontal Extent and the Controlling Physical Processes

Cowles, Timothy J.

Finescale Planktonic Vertical Structure: Horizontal Extent and the Controlling Physical Processes

2008

Cowles, Timothy J.

We have made observations in different regions that have confirmed the presence of persistent, small-scale local maxima in the concentrations of nutrients, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. These persistent features result from complex linkages between physical forcing and gradients in the distribution of biological properties. These observations, along with those made by several other teams of investigators, led to the development of the overall programmatic goals of the LOCO DRI. The goals of my research component within the LOCO DRI are to * quantify the linkage these physical processes and the steep vertical gradients in biological properties within "thin layers", * develop a more detailed understanding of the time scales and horizontal spatial scales over which these features persist, and * evaluate the relative importance of vertical and horizontal processes in establishing planktonic distribution patterns.

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