Diel Periodicity of Chlorophyll a Concentration in Oregon Coastal Waters

Abstract

Concentrations of chlorophyll a in phytoplankton exhibited a diel periodicity in Oregon coastal waters. Maximum surface concentrations often occurred around midnight and highest 25-m concentrations early in the evening (or even in late afternoon). Concentrations at intermediate depths fell in between and in a predictable progression with depth and time of day. Minimum chlorophyll a values occurred in the afternoon. No definite periodicity was established at 50 m.Laboratory studies with Skeletonema costatum demonstrated that the diel cycle of chlorophyll a per cell was related to the light intensity and duration to which cells were exposed. Highest concentrations of this pigment occurred early in the dark period and lowest concentrations in the light period when cells were grown under photoperiods of 9, 12, and 15 hr at a light intensity of approximately 1200 ft-c. Pigment bleaching probably was responsible for the low concentrations during the light period. The decline of chlorophyll a from the maximum early in the dark period began after the cells possibly became deficient in some chlorophyll precursor or energy-yielding substrate. Addition of an external carbon source during the dark period prolonged the high chlorophyll a concentrations in the dark before the decline began. Under low light (400 ft-c) chlorophyll a synthesis occurred only in the light. This phenomenon was most likely due to an insufficient amount of energy-yielding substrate or precursor synthesized during the low-light period, and the lack of bleaching in the light period at this lower intensity. The laboratory results were consistent with interpretations of the field data. A correction for diel pigment periodicity is recommended for models estimating photosynthesis from chlorophyll and light data and for oceanographic surveys during which sampling of chlorophyll a is carried out throughout the 24-hr day.