Attenuation of photosynthetically available radiation by chlorophyll, chromophoric dissolved organic matter, and tripton in lake donghu, China

Abstract

The attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically available radiation [K d(PAR)] and three water quality parameters [chlorophyll a (chl a)], chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and tripton] were measured at three stations in shallow, subtropical Lake Donghu from April 2003 to March 2004. The multiple regression equation of K d(PAR) versus chl a, CDOM, and tripton was: K d(PAR) = 0.44 + 0.019 chl a + 1.88 CDOM + 0.016 tripton, which revealed the relative contributions of the three parameters to &(PAR). The effects of water and CDOM on K d(PAR) were of minor importance (19–26%), while chl a and tripton were the two greatest contributors, accounting collectively for 74–81%. © 2005, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.