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Evaluating underwater light availability for Phytoplankton: mean light intensity in the mixed layer versus attenuation Coefficient

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Abstract(s)

The use of several light-related variables, such as the Secchi disc depth, the euphotic depth, and in particular, the diffuse attenuation coefficient (K<sub>d</sub>), is deeply rooted in phytoplankton research, but these are not the most appropriate indicators of the amount of light available for photosynthesis. We argue that the variable of interest for phytoplankton is the mean light intensity in the mixed layer (I<sub>m</sub>), which represents the mean light to which phytoplankton cells are exposed throughout their life cycle, while being continuously mixed in the mixed layer. We use empirical data collected in different coastal ecosystems in southern Portugal to demonstrate why I<sub>m</sub> should be the preferred metric instead of the deeply rooted K<sub>d</sub>. We show that, although the relationship between I<sub>m</sub> and K<sub>d</sub> is inversely proportional, it is not always strong or even significant. Different I<sub>m</sub> values can be associated with the same K<sub>d</sub>, but distinct I<sub>m</sub> have different physiological effects of phytoplankton. Therefore, K<sub>d</sub> does not capture the amount of light available for photosynthesis, given that, unlike I<sub>m</sub>, K<sub>d</sub> calculation does not consider the depth of the mixed layer. Therefore, we urge phytoplankton researchers to consider the measurement and calculation of I<sub>m</sub> when evaluating light-related processes in phytoplankton ecology.

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Keywords

Phytoplankton; ; ; Light measurements Light limitation Coastal ecosystems

Citation

Water 15 (16): 2966 (2023)

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