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Title: Diel variability of bulk optical properties associated with the growth and division of small phytoplankton in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

Cross-platform observing systems are requisite to capturing the temporal and spatial dynamics of particles in the ocean. We present simultaneous observations of bulk optical properties, including the particulate beam attenuation (cp) and backscattering (bbp) coefficients, and particle size distributions collected in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Clear and coherent diel cycles are observed in all bulk and size-fractionated optical proxies for particle biomass. We show evidence linking diurnal increases incpandbbpto daytime particle growth and division of cells, with particles<<#comment/>7µ<#comment/>mdriving the daily cycle of particle production and loss within the mixed layer. Flow cytometry data reveal the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteriumCrocosphaera(∼<#comment/>4−<#comment/>7µ<#comment/>m) to be an important driver ofcpat the time of sampling, whereasProchlorococcusdynamics (∼<#comment/>0.5µ<#comment/>m) were essential to reproducing temporal variability inbbp. This study is a step towards improved characterization of the particle size range represented byin situbulk optical properties and a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive variability in particle production in the oligotrophic open ocean.

 
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Award ID(s):
1756517
NSF-PAR ID:
10175993
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Optical Society of America
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Applied Optics
Volume:
59
Issue:
22
ISSN:
1559-128X; APOPAI
Page Range / eLocation ID:
Article No. 6702
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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