Chlorophyll - A vertical distribution of Yantai coastal waters

Abstract

Many researchers have studied the properties of chlorophyll - a vertical distribution in open ocean waters by now, and little is found for coastal waters. In the study, the chlorophyll - a vertical distribution of Yantai coastal waters is analyzed and a polynomial model is used to appraise the trend. Furthermore, the Gaussian model according to open waters is used to testify the practicability for coastal waters. The ratio between chlorophyll - a and turbidity is also discussed in order to predict the distribution trend. Finally, some conclusions could be achieved: A chlorophyll - a maximum in vertical direction could be seen and the maximum appears at about 6∼8 meter depth in our research areas. The chlorophyll - a vertical distribution is similar to open ocean waters. Secondly, the euphotic layer is about 6∼8 meter depth. Thirdly, under the depth of maximum chlorophyll - a concentration, chlorophyll - a concentration has negative correlation to the turbidity concentration in vertical direction. Based on above conclusion, the total chlorophyll - a could be achieved by calculating definite integrate of the simulation functions. This verifies the relationships of the surface and total chlorophyll - a concentration, which is the basis of primary production by the method of remote sensing. © 2013. The authors.