Evaluating the importance of phytoplankton community structure to the optical properties of the Santa Barbara Channel, California

摘要: Observations from the Santa Barbara Channel, California, were used to evaluate relationships among optical properties and phytoplankton community structure. Phytoplankton structure was determined by statistically analyzing 10 diagnostic pigment concentrations using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The first four EOF modes explained 82% of variability interpreted as a mixed mode composed mostly nanoplankton, dominated microplankton (diatoms dinoflagellates), describing alternating diatom dinoflagellate dominance, reflecting picoplankton presence. Variations in colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption spectra related changes modal amplitudes. Characteristics CDOM spectrum further dependent on whether diatoms or dinoflagellates dominant. particle backscattering coefficient significantly correlated with communities. influence also seen performance standard ocean color algorithms situ data set. present results demonstrate that many characteristics vary suggest improvements remote-sensing will require model coefficients accordingly. Further, composition affect both scattering properties, not simply phytoplankton-specific creating challenges for development aimed at assessing satellite observations.