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Estimation of phytoplankton loss rate by remote sensing
Author(s) -
Zhai Li,
Platt Trevor,
Tang Charles,
Dowd Mike,
Sathyendranath Shubha,
Forget MarieHélène
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl035666
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , bloom , spring bloom , growth rate , photosynthesis , atmospheric sciences , range (aeronautics) , mathematics , biology , ecology , nutrient , physics , botany , materials science , geometry , composite material
A method is presented for estimation of seasonally‐varying, total loss rate of phytoplankton from time series of satellite‐derived phytoplankton biomass data. The loss is calculated as the difference between the (modelled) rate of photosynthesis and the observed, realized rate of change of phytoplankton biomass. A Monte Carlo procedure is used to recover the loss rates. The (biomass‐normalized) total loss rate shows a seasonal cycle with values ranging from 0.5 to 3 mg C (mg Chl) −1 h −1 and shows an abrupt shift during the spring bloom. On the other hand, the absolute loss rate increases during blooms, a consequence of the increase in the biomass. The normalized total loss rate can be further expressed as a time‐varying fraction of the assimilation number. The fraction lies in the range from 0.2 to 0.8. During the increasing (decreasing) phase of phytoplankton blooming, the ratio of growth to total loss increases (decreases), such that this ratio may have value as an ecological indicator for blooms.