3 research outputs found
Model of the in vivo spectral absorption of algal pigments. Part 1. Mathematical apparatus
Existing statistical models of in vivo light absorption by phytoplankton (Woźniak
& Ostrowska 1990, Bricaud et al. 1995, 1998) describe the dependence of the
phytoplankton specific spectral absorption coefficient a∗
pl(λ) on the chlorophyll a concentration Ca in seawater. However, the models do not take into account the
variability in this relationship due to phytoplankton acclimation. The observed
variability in the light absorption coefficient and its components due to various
pigments with depth and geographical position at sea, requires further accurate
modelling in order to improve satellite remote sensing algorithms and interpretation
of ocean colour maps.
The aim of this paper is to formulate an improved model of the phytoplankton
spectral absorption capacity which takes account of the pigment composition and
absorption changes resulting from photo- and chromatic acclimation processes,
and the pigment package effect. It is a synthesis of earlier models and the
following statistical generalisations: (1) statistical relationships between various
pigment group concentrations and light field properties in the sea (described by
Majchrowski & Ostrowska 2000, this volume); (2) a model of light absorption by
phytoplankton capable of determining the mathematical relationships between the
spectral absorption coefficients of the various photosynthetic and photoprotecting
pigment groups, and their concentrations in seawater (Woźniak et al. 1999); (3)
bio-optical models of light propagation in oceanic Case 1 Waters and Baltic Case 2
Waters (Woźniak et al. 1992a, b, 1995a,b). The generalised model described in this
paper permits the total phytoplankton light absorption coefficient in vivo as well as
its components related to the various photosynthetic and photoprotecting pigments
to be determined using only the surface irradiance PAR(0+) surface chlorophyll
concentration Ca(0) and depth z in the sea as input data
Model of the in vivo spectral absorption of algal pigments. Part 2. Practical applications of the model
The article describes applications and accuracy analyses of a statistical model of
light absorption by phytoplankton that accounts for the influence of photo- and
chromatic acclimation on its absorption properties. Part 1 of this work (seeWoźniak
et al. 2000, this volume) describes the mathematical apparatus of the model. Earlier
models by Woźniak & Ostrowska (1990) and by Bricaud et al. (1995, 1998) are analysed for comparison. Empirical verification of these three models shows that
the new model provides a much better approximation of phytoplankton absorption
properties than do the earlier models. The statistical errors in estimating the mean
absorption coefficient apl, for example, are σ+ = 36% for the new model, whereas
for the earlier models the figures are σ+ = 43% (Bricaud et al. 1995, 1998) and
σ+ = 59% (Woźniak & Ostrowska 1990). Example applications are given of the
new model illustrating the variability in phytoplankton absorption properties with
depth and trophicity of the sea