Light Regulation of Phytoplankton Growth in San Francisco Bay Studied Using a 3D Sediment Transport Model

In San Francisco Bay (SFB), light availability is largely determined by the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in water column. SPM exhibits substantial variation with time, depth, and location. To study how influences phytoplankton growth, we coupled a sediment transport model hydrodynamic biogeochemical model. The models were used to simulate conditions for year 2011 focus on northern SFB. For comparison, two simulations conducted ecosystem processes driven concentrations supplied applying constant 20 mg l –1 . successfully reproduced general pattern SFB, which improved chlorophyll-a simulation resulting from model, vertically integrated primary productivity varying greatly, 40 g[C] m –2 over shoals 160 deep channel. Primary SFB influenced euphotic zone depth ( Ze ). Our results show that shallow regions (<2 m) mainly while controlled concentration. As result, has low (high) values (deep) regions. Large (small) differences exist between (shallow) Furthermore, defined new parameter F “averaged limitation” zone. averaged share similar distribution such both have high (low) demonstrates critical factor regulating growth improves