The quantity, composition and distribution of suspended particulate matter in the Gulf of California

Abstract

The distribution and composition of suspended particulate matter in the sea is very complex and not well understood. In this study, 3 different approaches were used to estimate the quantity and quality of suspended particulate matter in 34 samples from the euphotic zone of 9 stations in the Gulf of California. The results from electronic, microscopic and chemical analyses showed that most parameters measured were significantly correlated, e.g. the total particulate volume from particles of 2 to 150 μ diameter, as obtained from the Coulter Counter, proved to be significantly related to such parameters as seston, particulate nitrogen, particulate carbon, phytoplankton carbon and chlorophylla. It can be concluded from this study that the Coulter Counter can be a very useful instrument to determine, with little effort, the size, distribution, and volume of particulate suspended matter in the sea. These data can then be used to calculate some important biological parameters which are necessary to establish meaningful models of phytoplankton production. More detailed studies are necessary to prove the above mentioned relationships in depth, space and time.