MSc. Salla Ahonen presents her doctoral research on "Optical properties of boreal lakes and their impact on light absorption and biomass of phytoplankton"
ABSTRACT: Light has a fundamental role in aquatic systems by providing the energy for primary production of phytoplankton, which is a key energy source in aquatic food webs. Many boreal lakes are characterized by high content of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), affecting light attenuation and thermal structure of water columns, but the consequences on phytoplankton are still largely unknown. Better understanding of the responses of phytoplankton is needed as many lakes are undergoing changes caused by global climate change and browning of lakes. This seminar focuses on the effects of CDOM content on the spectral underwater light field of boreal lakes, as well as the responses of phytoplankton light absorption and biomass to the changes in light availability and mixed layer depth.
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