LOCO: Characterization of Phytoplankton in Thin Optical Layers

Our long-term goal is to understand the ecology of phytoplankton inhabiting coastal shelves, upwelling areas, fjords and banks. We are especially interested in ways in which species-specific properties, including colony size and shape (diatoms) and motility (dinoflagellates) interact with physical mixing processes to regulate spatio-temporal distribution patterns. We wish to understand these processes in sufficient detail to be able to predict bloom dynamics, size structure, and the impact of species-specific characteristics of the phytoplankton on ocean optics. Our goals within the LOCO DRI program are (1) to thoroughly characterize the phytoplankton community within thin layers and compare it to that outside of layers, (2) to increase our understanding of the importance of species-specific characteristics of the plankton to both ecology and ocean optics, and (3) to expand our understanding of the role that biological-physical processes play in thin layer dynamics. We have demonstrated that interactions between physical processes at multiple time and space scales, and the species-specific properties of diatoms and dinoflagellates (e.g. size, shape, behavior etc.) are important factors contributing to phytoplankton distribution, bloom dynamics, particle size structure and optical characteristics in the ocean. In order to continue this work within the LOCO framework, we have (1) adapted our earlier protocols for use in the open waters of Monterey Bay (i.e. exposed, coastal locations), and (2) developed methodologies that will allow us to collect new kinds of data, so that we can begin to investigate our "next generation" of questions. In August/September of 2005, and in July 2006, we employed our refined protocols during the LOCO field experiments in Monterey Bay, California.