Chlorophyll specific absorption coeficients and the impact of phytoplankton taxonomic group of surface waters in the northeastern gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficient at 440 nm (a* ph (440)) of surface water in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico varied by a factor of 7 (0.02-0.15 m2 mg-1) with the of chlorophyll-a concentration of 0.06-12.25 mg m-3. In general, lower values of a* ph(440) (<0.06 m2 mg-1) were observed in the inshore particularly in the major river mouths. During summer, lower values of a* ph (440) were also observed offshore associated with low-salinity waters of the Mississippi River plume.