Quantifying variation in water column photosynthetic quotient with changing field conditions in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA

Authors

Leslie M. Smith, University of Rhode Island
Celine M. Silver, University of Rhode Island
Candace A. Oviatt, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

5-1-2012

Abstract

A photosynthetic quotient (PQ) for Narragansett Bay, RI, USA was calculated using concurrent 14C and oxygen lightdark bottle primary production estimations. The current PQ (1.42 ± 0.09) was elevated over the PQ (1.24) calculated in a 1980s mesocosm experiment, stimulating a sensitivity analysis of physiological drivers of the PQ. We speculate that the factor that altered the PQ between surveys was wastewater treatment facility upgrades increasing NO 3- effluent proportion from 10 to 40. © 2012 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Plankton Research

Volume

34

Issue

5

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Smith, Leslie M., Celine M. Silver, and Candace A. Oviatt. "Quantifying variation in water column photosynthetic quotient with changing field conditions in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA." Journal of Plankton Research 34, 5 (2012). doi: 10.1093/plankt/fbs011.