Understanding Biodiversity of the Phytoplankton in the Mid Atlantic Bight

Tiffany A Moisan, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, tiffany.a.moisan@nasa.gov (Presenter)
Kay Rufty, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, kay.rufty@nasa.gov
John R Moisan, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, john.r.moisan@nasa.gov

◦ Phytoplankton diversity is a critical component of the carbon cycle, which relates to ecosystem function and productivity. Using cruise data from the Gulf of Maine and Mid Atlantic Bight (N= 269 pairs of HPLC and phytoplankton absorption samples), we present two approaches for predicting phytoplankton absorption. The first approach predicts the chl-specific absorption coefficient (a*ph (m2 mg chl a-1)) and utilizes inputs of temperature, light, and chlorophyll a. The second approach predicts aph (m-1) with corrections for pigment packaging and accurately retrieves phytoplankton pigments and absorption. The matrix inversion analysis uses five minimization techniques on in vivo phytoplankton absorption data in order to retrieve photosynthetic (PSC) and photo-protective pigments. In all data sets, we were able to describe major phytoplankton groups (especially diatoms and sometimes Phaeocystis) based on their marker pigments. Our matrix inversion model for absorption is useful for describing diversity and applying physiological and taxonomic ratios in the phytoplankton community.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 2: Landscapes to coasts: understanding Earth system connections   (Mon 1:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Related Activity: Related Activity or Previously Funded CC&E Activity not listed ...details

Poster Location ID: 92