Particle aggregation during a diatom bloom. I. Physical aspects

Abstract

Aggregate size and abundance were monitored in situ at a fixed station in the southern North Sea during a 6 wk investigation which covered the phytoplankton spring bloom and the pre- and post-bloom periods. Results are consistent with physical coagulation models. Aggregate formation can be described by a 2-state system in which the amount of aggregated matter is low during the development and following the decline of a bloom, and high during the peak of a bloom. -from Author