loading page

The Role of Rapid Changes in Weather on Phytoplankton Spring Bloom Dynamics Captured by an Autonomous Uncrewed Surface Vehicle
  • +4
  • Glaucia Fragoso,
  • Alberto Dallolio,
  • Stephen Grant,
  • Joseph Garrett,
  • Ingrid Ellingsen,
  • Geir Johnsen,
  • Tor Arne Johansen
Glaucia Fragoso
Trondheim Biological Station, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Alberto Dallolio
Department of Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Author Profile
Stephen Grant
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Author Profile
Joseph Garrett
Department of Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Author Profile
Ingrid Ellingsen
SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture
Author Profile
Geir Johnsen
Norwegian University of Technology and Science
Author Profile
Tor Arne Johansen
Department of Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Author Profile

Abstract

The spring phytoplankton bloom plays a major role in pelagic ecosystems; however, its dynamics is overlooked due to insufficient, highly-resolved observational data. Here we investigate the start, peak and decline of a two-week phytoplankton spring bloom in Frohavet, located at the coast of mid-Norway. We used observations from an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) combined with buoy measurements, satellite images, discrete water sampling and modelling approaches. The spring bloom (March-June 2022) consisted of multiple peaks (up to 5 mg m-3), with a long peak in April, coincident with the period when the USV captured the temporal and spatial dynamics of the bloom. Short-term (5 days) episode of calm weather in the spring, such as clear skies and consistent low wind speed (< 7 m s-1) shoaled the mixed layer depth (< 15 m), after strong wind speed (average wind speed up to 20 m s-1 in March) and mixing events in winter. These rapid changes in the environment promoted the rapid development of the spring bloom - from 1 to 5 mg m-3 in 5 days. Likewise, the collapse of the bloom was rather quick, 1-2 days and coincides with low nitrate values and rapid increase in wind speed (> 10 m s-1), suggesting strong influence of the environment on phytoplankton dynamics during early stages of the spring bloom. Understanding the dynamics of the spring bloom is crucial for the management of marine resources. Integration of distinct observational platforms has the potential to unveil the environmental factors underlying phytoplankton bloom dynamics.
01 Sep 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
11 Sep 2023Published in ESS Open Archive