Layered Organization in the Coastal Ocean: 4-D Assessment of Thin Layer Structure, Dynamics and Impacts

Our long-term goal is to understand (1) the properties of densely concentrated, thin layers of planktonic biota that can occur in coastal ocean environments, (2) the interacting physical, chemical, biological and optical processes responsible for establishment, maintenance and breakdown of layers, (3) the impact of thin layers on the dynamics of plankton populations and the performance of optical sensors, and (4) how the above vary between coastal systems that differ in physical size, exposure to physical forcing, and susceptibility to episodic events. OBJECTIVES Our objectives for this LOCO project are (1) to understand the physical, biological, optical, chemical and acoustical properties of vertically thin horizontal layers of biota and biogenic particles in coastal oceans, and the processes responsible for the formation, maintenance and dissipation of layers; (2) to understand the spatial coherence and spatial properties of thin layers in the coastal ocean (especially in terms of optical properties), as well as the temporal durability of layers, where they occur; and (3) to use the information gleaned in the first two objectives along with data from our studies in other coastal systems to test and refine our models of thin layer dynamics (Donaghay and Osborn, 1997) and thus continue to develop the ability to predict layer formation and presence in the coastal ocean. Ou