Diurnal Patterns in the Persistence of 'Thin-Layers' of Marine Snow, Zooplankton, and Turbulent Microstructure in Coastal Waters.

摘要

Accumulations of marine snow and phytoplankton in layers ranging from centimeters to meters have been observed in the coastal ocean and in fjords. These accumulations serve as foci for enhanced biological activity for microbes up to fish larvae. Our long-term goal is to develop a predictive understanding of how physical processes contribute to the formation of these layers as well as their eventual break up. Such information will allow determination of the contribution of thin-layers to the oceanic food chain, as well as determination of the impact of thin-layers on optical and acoustical properties of the water column.