A numerical study of primary production related to vertical turbulent diffusion with special reference to vertical motions of the phytoplankton cells in nutrient and light fields
Résumé
Assuming stationary physical processes, in particular the light field and turbulent activity [K(z)], we described steady-state and convergent solutions obtained from a simple time-dependent vertical model of phytoplankton dynamics. Simulations included vertical turbulent motions experienced by the cells in the light and nutrient fields. Parallel simulations made with a classical formulation of phytoplankton growth, i.e., neglecting vertical turbulent motions, are discussed. From two typical situations of stratification in the Western Mediterranean, we identified two distinct systems of new production, as the consequence of Low (LTR) and High Turbulent Regime (HTR) in the photic zone respectively. Data from the Prolig-II (1985) and Almofront-I (1991) cruises supported the LTR system of new production. The results of the second part of the Mediprod-I (1969) cruise show several patterns that specifically appeared in the HTR simulation. Regenerated production was not influenced by the turbulent activity situation. In natural conditions, regenerated production depends on the specific phytoplankton-grazers system that develops according to the level of new production; such ecological dynamics were not considered in our model. Differences with the reference model changed the relationships between the vertical distributions of biomass and new production. Particularly, the HTR simulation led to distinct vertical distribution of biomass and new production. Such a pattern did not occur with the reference model. Although the vertical turbulent motions affected both the level and vertical distribution of new production, a significant effect on the depth-integrated production finally depends on how the phytoplankton biomass interacts with its environmental conditions. It is shown that the minimum of K(z) in the euphotic zone determined the system of new production, whereas its-values below the euphotic zone scaled the production and biomass levels. The two distinct systems of new production, LTR and HTR, may be diagnosed from simple cast measurement by examining the relationships between the distributions of parameters implicated in new production (biomass maximum, nitracline and oxycline) and the density profile.