Temporal distribution of chlorophyll a, suspended matter, and the vertical flux of particles in Aqaba (Jordan)

The temporal distribution of chlorophyll a (chl a), suspended matter (SM), and vertical flux of chl a and organic carbon (OC) has been investigated at three sites along the north-eastern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba during the period from January 1991 through December 1992. Highly significant temporal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2001-09, Vol.459 (1-3), p.147-156
Main Authors: WAHBAH, Mohammed I, ZUGHUL, Mohammad B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Carbon
Chlorophyll
Chlorophylls
Fluctuations
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Meteorology
Organic carbon
Sea water ecosystems
Suspended particulate matter
Synecology
Temporal distribution
Water column
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Summary:The temporal distribution of chlorophyll a (chl a), suspended matter (SM), and vertical flux of chl a and organic carbon (OC) has been investigated at three sites along the north-eastern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba during the period from January 1991 through December 1992. Highly significant temporal and interannual variations were found in chl a, and in the vertical flux of chl a and OC. The SM and its OC content did not show any significant temporal or interannual variations. The recorded levels of the forementioned variables were generally low. The temporal distribution of chl a in the water column was polymodal in 1991 with peaks in March, June, August and December, and bimodal in 1992 with peaks in May-June, and October. Maximum values of SM and its OC content occurred in July of 1991 and September of 1992. The temporal variations in the vertical flux of total particles, chl a, and OC followed those of chl a in the water column. The bulk of the sediment material was of inorganic nature, derived from desert sand carried from Wadi Araba by the prevailing northerly winds, and dust of exported raw phosphate. The temporal changes described appear to be related to the temporal variations in water stability, horizontal advection, and winds.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1023/A:1012564629962