Strong increase in phytoplankton abundance that typically occurs in the early spring
Spring bloom in the currents off the coast of New Zealand. Especially bright blue areas may indicate the presence of phytoplankton called coccolithophores, which are coated with calcium carbonate scales that are very reflective. The duller greenish-brown areas of the bloom may be diatoms, which have a silica-based covering.
The spring bloom is a strong increase in phytoplankton abundance (i.e. stock) that typically occurs in the early spring and lasts until late spring or early summer. This seasonal event is characteristic of temperate North Atlantic, sub-polar, and coastal waters.[1][2] Phytoplankton blooms occur when growth exceeds losses, however there is no universally accepted definition of the magnitude of change or the threshold of abundance that constitutes a bloom. The magnitude, spatial extent and duration of a bloom depends on a variety of abiotic and biotic factors. Abiotic factors include light availability, nutrients, temperature, and physical processes that influence light availability,[1][2][3][4][5] and biotic factors include grazing, viral lysis, and phytoplankton physiology.[6] The factors that lead to bloom initiation are still actively debated (see Critical depth).
^ abMann, K.H., Lazier, J.R.N. (2006). Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems: Biological-Physical Interactions in the Oceans. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. ISBN1-4051-1118-6
^Smayda, T.J. (1998). "Patterns of variability characterizing marine phytoplankton, with examples from Narragansett Bay". ICES Journal of Marine Science 55: 562–573