University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Using non-linear analysis to compare the spatial structure of chlorophyll with passive tracers

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 13:49 authored by Peter StruttonPeter Strutton, Mitchell, JG, Parslow, JS
A form of non-linear analysis, termed the near-neighbour algorithm, was applied to transects of chlorophyll and salinity collected off eastern Antarctica in the Austral summer of 1995/96. The near-neighbour algorithm was initially developed to detect chaos in time series, but was applied here to compare the spatial structure of chlorophyll, a non-conservative tracer, with that of a conservative tracer, salinity. The validity of such an application is discussed in the context of the literature and as a complementary approach to traditional methods such as autocorrelation and spectral analysis. The results indicate that the spatial structure of salinity could be classified as non-linear in nature. The structure of chlorophyll at corresponding spatial scales contains a stochastic component, and it is postulated that this is caused by biological factors, specifically net phytoplankton growth. The potential for expanded, more detailed analyses is discussed, and parallels are drawn between the current state of non-linear analysis in biological oceanography and the development of spectral analysis over the last three decades.

History

Publication title

Journal of Plankton Research

Volume

19

Issue

10

Pagination

1553-1564

ISSN

0142-7873

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Oxford Univ Press

Place of publication

Great Clarendon St, Oxford, England, Ox2 6Dp

Rights statement

Copyright 1997 Oxford University Press

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC