Spring bloom
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205820089
2008-04-15T16:47:33Z
147.125.98.189
grammar fix
The '''spring bloom''' is a sudden and strong bloom of [[phytoplankton]] such as [[diatom]]s or [[dinoflagellate]]s in the spring in temperate and sub-polar bodies of water. In winter, the waters are well mixed, i.e., water is circulated from the bottom to the top of the water column because the water is relatively colder and therefore maintains a more uniform [[density]]). In the early spring, the upper water layers have enough [[nutrients]] circulated up from bottom waters to maintain phytoplankton growth but the phytoplankton are unable to grow as there is frequent mixing from wind and light levels are not
yet strong enough. However, as the ocean warms in the later spring, the warm water will stay at the top of the water column as it is less dense. This will create a layer of [[stratification]] called the [[epilimnion]] in fresh water. At this time, the phytoplankton are maintained in waters with enough light and abundant nutrients, allowing their population numbers grow exponentially. In most cases the phytoplankton will use up the available nutrients in a matter of weeks or months, eventually dwindling their numbers in summer. Many species of diatom will sink to the bottom and create resting cysts when nutrient concentrations run low. Also, it is not uncommon to see a succession of phytoplankton species reach their growth peaks at different times through the course of the bloom as different species will have optimal nutrient uptake at different concentrations.
==See also==
* [[Algal bloom]]
* [[Red tide]]
{{ocean-stub}}
[[Category:Aquatic ecology]]
[[Category:Biological oceanography]]
[[Category:Marine biology]]
[[Category:Planktology]]
[[Category:Barents Sea]]
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