Variability in upper-ocean water properties in the NE Pacific Ocean

Whitney, Frank A.; Freeland, Howard J.

doi:10.1016/s0967-0645(99)00067-3

Cited by 183 publications

(146 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The linear trend coefficient was found to be 0.012°C per year with a standard error of 0.008°C and R 2 = 0.04. Although this trend is not significantly different from zero at the 95% level (the significance level is 86%), the value is consistent with other global warming estimates (e.g., Freeland, 1990;Whitney and Freeland, 1999). In Section 7, we will look for a similar trend in the atmosphere-to-river heat exchange.…”

Section: Water Temperature Measurements and Trendssupporting

confidence: 80%

Simulations and retrospective analyses of fraser watershed flows and temperatures

et al. 2001

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Section: Water Temperature Measurements and Trendssupporting

confidence: 80%

Simulations and retrospective analyses of fraser watershed flows and temperatures

et al. 2001

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“…Depletion of nutrients and low pCO 2 in surface waters associated with relatively low chlorophyll a concentrations is recurrently observed in the transition zone, suggesting that these small-celled blooms are a common feature of this specialized region with a disproportionate impact on nutrient and atmospheric CO 2 drawdown. The transition zone is expected to expand and contract over seasonal cycles due to changes in ocean circulation (21). The ability to detect and track these small-celled blooms is therefore critical for understanding the biogeochemical impact of this important yet poorly characterized oceanic region.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These time series observations suggest that high productivity exists within the coastal-oceanic transition zone of the Northeast Pacific Ocean, based on the low partial pressure of CO 2 and near complete depletion of nutrients such as nitrate and silicic acid in spring and summer (18,21,22) (characteristics associated with phytoplankton growth) within a 100-km-wide salinity gradient off the shelf break (17,18). Strong gradients in chlorophyll a concentrations are also observed across the coastal-oceanic transition zone but there is no detailed information available on the species composition or ecological dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages across this productivity gradient.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

Unveiling a phytoplankton hotspot at a narrow boundary between coastal and offshore waters

Ribalet

Marchetti

Hubbard

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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In terrestrial ecosystems, transitional areas between different plant communities (ecotones) are formed by steep environmental gradients and are commonly characterized by high species diversity and primary productivity, which in turn influences the foodweb structure of these regions. Whether comparable zones of elevated diversity and productivity characterize ecotones in the oceans remains poorly understood. Here we describe a previously hidden hotspot of phytoplankton diversity and productivity in a narrow but seasonally persistent transition zone at the intersection of iron-poor, nitrate-rich offshore waters and iron-rich, nitrate-poor coastal waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Novel continuous measurements of phytoplankton cell abundance and composition identified a complex succession of blooms of five distinct size classes of phytoplankton populations within a 100-km-wide transition zone. The blooms appear to be fueled by natural iron enrichment of offshore communities as they are transported toward the coast. The observed succession of phytoplankton populations is likely driven by spatial gradients in iron availability or time since iron enrichment. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, the resulting communities have a strong impact on the regional biogeochemistry as evidenced by the low partial pressure of CO 2 and the nearly complete depletion of nutrients. Enhanced phytoplankton productivity and diversity associated with steep environmental gradients are expected wherever water masses with complementary nutrient compositions mix to create a region more favorable for phytoplankton growth. The ability to detect and track these important but poorly characterized marine ecotones is critical for understanding their impact on productivity and ecosystem structure in the oceans.ecotone | transition zone | iron | high-nitrate, low-chlorophyll | flow cytometry

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“…Although a number of assumptions are made in this calculation, the outcome suggests that a marked supply of Si to surface waters is required over the year. However, if Si was supplied vertically, it would also result in upwelled DFe, which would likely permit "Fe-limited" diatoms to take up [Whitney and Freeland, 1999]. This large difference in annual Si uptake between these regions is puzzling since algal biomass levels, production rates, and the contribution of large diatoms to biomass/production are comparable this study].…”

Section: Bio-optical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 86%

Role of iron, light, and silicate in controlling algal biomass in subantarctic waters SE of New Zealand

Boyd¹,

LaRoche²,

Gall³

et al. 1999

J. Geophys. Res.

285

240

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Variability in upper-ocean water properties in the NE Pacific Ocean

Cited by 183 publications

References 23 publications

Simulations and retrospective analyses of fraser watershed flows and temperatures

Simulations and retrospective analyses of fraser watershed flows and temperatures

Unveiling a phytoplankton hotspot at a narrow boundary between coastal and offshore waters

Role of iron, light, and silicate in controlling algal biomass in subantarctic waters SE of New Zealand

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