Photosynthetic properties vary among phytoplankton communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico

What is it about?

This work sought to improve understanding of the relationship of phytoplankton community composition to variability in bio-optical and photosynthetic properties in continental shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The results provided the basis for a predictive empirical model to estimate community-specific model parameters for estimating photosynthesis and primary production in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

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Why is it important?

Our findings were unprecedented in revealing significant differences in photosynthetic parameters between the major phytoplankton groups in northern Gulf of Mexico waters. An empirical model was developed for the major phytoplankton groups across the entire study area that could then be used to estimate regional primary production from satellite or ship-based observations.