Phytoplankton Distribution and Light Attenuation in Port Hacking Estuary

Abstract

The distribution of phytoplankton in a marine dominated estuary is described in terms of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, phytoplankton photosynthesis rates at constant irradiance, and the attenuation of solar irradiance by the water column. The phytoplankton distribution was consistent with the physiography and water circulation in the estuary. A method is described for estimating the proportions of suspended sediments, introduced with runoff from the land, which are removed from the estuary by tidal exchange or by sinking. Estimates of the proportions of phytoplankton and detritus in the water column are derived from the relationship of chlorophyll concentration to the extinction coefficient.