Phytoplankton and thermal structure in the tropical ocean

Type Article
Date 1987
Language English
Author(s) Lewis M R
Meeting International Symposium on Vertical Motion in the Equatorial Upper Ocean and its Effects Upon Living Resources and the Atmosphere, Paris (France), 6 May 1985
Source Oceanologica Acta, Special issue (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1987
Abstract Variation in the absorption of solar irradiance in the upper ocean is strongly influenced by variation in the concentration of phytoplankton. In optically clear tropical regions, where the mixed layer depth is shallow relative to the depth of significant penetration of irradiance ( lambda < 700 nm) all year, such variation is particularly important for the thermal structure and dynamics of the upper ocean. The nonuniformities in vertical chlorophyll distribution associated with "typical tropical structure" can give rise to local heating rates that increase with depth; the vertical motions that may result are discussed. The penetration of irradiance through the mixed layer is a downward energy flux which is shown to be of the same order as that thought to be transported vertically by turbulent fluid motions.
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