Layered Organization in the Coastal Ocean: 4-D Assessment of Thin Layer Structure, Dynamics and Impacts

Our long-term goal is to understand 1 the properties of densely concentrated, thin layers of planktonic biota that can occur in coastal ocean environments, 2 the interacting physical, chemical, biological and optical processes responsible for establishment, maintenance and breakdown of layers, 3 the impact of thin layers on the dynamics of plankton populations and the performance of optical sensors, and 4 how the above vary between coastal systems that differ in physical size, exposure to physical forcing, and susceptibility to episodic events.