STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PHYTOPLANKTON BIOMASS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF LAUWERSOOG (NL)

A statistical analysis of phytoplankton biomass (in terms of chlorophyll a: Chla) using a factor analysis (FA) is performed in the Wadden Sea near Lauwersoog (53.4167(omicron) N, 6.2000(omicron) E). The present study is based on a historical dataset (187 samples) from 2000 through 2009. The associated environmental indicators are selected to investigate the properties of phytoplankton biomass, including salinity, nitrate (NO3), ammonia (NH4), phosphorus (PO4), dissolved silicate (Si), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), temperature (T), available light intensity (PAR) and suspended matter (SPM). The indicators of salinity, 3 NO3, Si, T, TN and PAR are classified as the driving forcing, while the others are distinguished as less dominant in this case. The findings of this study are significant for reducing the overlapping information and characterizing the roles of environmental indicators to phytoplankton biomass.