RT journal article
T1 Turbulence as a driver for vertical plankton distribution in the subsurface upper ocean
A1 Macías Moy, Diego
A1 Rodríguez Santana, Angel
A1 Ramírez Romero, Eduardo
A1 Bruno Mejías, Miguel
A1 Pelegrí, Josep Lluis
A1 Sangrà, Pablo
A1 Aguiar González, Borja
A1 García Jiménez, Carlos Manuel
A2 Biología
A2 Física Aplicada
K1 turbulence
K1 deep chlorophyll maximum
K1 vertical plankton distribution
AB Vertical distributions of turbulent energy dissipation rates and fluorescence were measured simultaneously with a high-resolution micro-profiler in four different oceanographic regions, from temperate to polar and from coastal to open waters settings. High fluorescence values, forming a deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), were often located in weakly stratified portions of the upper water column, just below layers with maximum levels of turbulent energy dissipation rate. In the vicinity of the DCM, a significant negative relationship between fluorescence and turbulent energy dissipation rate was found. We discuss the mechanisms that may explain the observed patterns of planktonic biomass distribution within the ocean mixed layer, including a vertically variable diffusion coefficient and the alteration of the cells’ sinking velocity by turbulent motion. These findings provide further insight into the processes controlling the vertical distribution of the pelagic community and position of the DCM.
SN 0214-8358
YR 2013
FD 2013-12
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19751
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19751
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 13-nov-2026