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Temporal Alternation Between Light- And Nutrient-Limitation Of Phytoplankton Production In A Coastal Plain Estuary., Jonathan Pennock, Jonathan H. Sharp
Temporal Alternation Between Light- And Nutrient-Limitation Of Phytoplankton Production In A Coastal Plain Estuary., Jonathan Pennock, Jonathan H. Sharp
School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering
ABSTRACT: The potential for Light- and nutrient-limitation of phytoplankton production was examined in the Delaware Estuary, USA, by combining a hierarchy of expenmental approaches including smallscale bioassay experiments, ecosystem-level analysis of nutrient concentration and stoichiometric ratios, and light-limitation modeling. Light was found to be the predominate regulator of phytoplankton growth throughout the estuary during the winter period as a result of high turbidity and a wellmixed water column. However, during late spring, phosphorus (P) was found to limit growth. This observation was confirmed at each of the experimental levels, and was related to several factors, including elevated input ratios (230:l) …