Phytoplankton pigments and dissolved organic matter distribution in the Gulf of Riga

The results of field studies of phytoplankton and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Gulf of Riga in August-September 1993, June 1994 and April 1995 are presented. Actively excited fluorescence in UV- and visible spectral regions was used to investigate spatial distributions of DOM, Chl a, carotenoids and phycoerythrin in surface water. The fluorescent data were collected by means of laser remote sensing spectrometer (LIDAR), spectrofluorometers in underway flow-through mode and in the measurements of the water samples. Pronounced variable spatial structures of phytoplankton were observed in spring 1995 and late summer 1993, while in early summer 1994 the pigment distribution was rather homogeneous. The spatial modulation of high-resolution profiles of phytoplankton with the period 3.5-5 km was detected across the gulf in all seasons probably caused by variability of hydrophysical conditions. A negative correlation of DOM concentration in surface waters and salinity was revealed in August-September 1993 and June 1994. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.