SOM components’ content is conditioned by the following factors: the amount of
the riverine discharges containing SOM and nutrients, conditions of the riverine and
sea waters mixing and its dynamics, as well as the variability of climatic conditions
(Voskresenskaya et al. 2004, 2011).
In recent decades, along with the expeditionary research the remote sensing is
widely applied. Satellite measurements of the radiation ascending from the sea
surface performed by the optical color scanners (SeaWiFS, MODIS) made it
possible to obtain qualitatively new information on its spatial-temporal characteristics (Kopelevich et al. 2004, 2009). The obtained data on the marine environment
bio-optical parameters is used for assessing bio-productivity of seas and oceans and
controlling their ecological condition.
The chapter presents the results of generalizing and analyzing the multi-year
investigations of the spatial-temporal variability of the distribution of the SOM
components’ content (1978–1995) and the bio-optical parameters (1997–2015) in
NWBS and in the coastal areas of the western Black Sea.
10.2 Materials, Methods, Results and Discussions
The data obtained on scientific cruises were obtained from the datasets of the
Marine Hydrophysical Institute and Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas.
Several parameters were considered, including the concentration of suspended
organic carbon (C SOM ) and suspended organic nitrogen (N SOM ) obtained on 20 scientific cruises. In total, data collected for 198 stations were analyzed, including
33 stations covered by two winter cruises (the second part of December–March),
58 stations on five spring cruises (April–May), 77 stations on seven summer cruises
(June–September), and 45 stations on six autumn cruises (October–first part of
December). We have also analyzed the concentrations of chlorophyll a (C Chl )
obtained on 37 cruises at 123 stations, including 102, 60, 152, and 123 stations
for each season, respectively, as well as monthly averages of C Chl concentration
according to CZCS radiometer observations for the period of 1978–1986
(Kopelevich et al. 2002; Nezlin and D’yakonov 1998) and data obtained by the
SeaWiFS and MODIS satellite sea surface scanner for the period of 1997–2015
(Information on Black Sea Color Data Processing and Distribution. http://
blackseacolor.com; http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov). To determine the concentration of chlorophyll a satellite data were used regional calculation algorithm (Suslin
et al. 2008). Was also used satellite observations of main bio-optical parameters
using the scanner Sea WiFS color in 1997–2010: the absorption coefficient of light
colored organic matter with the nonliving suspended matter at a wavelength of
490 nm – a g (from here on, absorption coefficient) and the particle backscattering at
a wavelength of 550 nm – b bp (from here on, scattering coefficient).
The water samples for suspended matter analysis were collected with a CTD
rosette. A water sample 1.0–2.5 L in volume was sieved through pre-combusted
(400
C) glass fiber Whatman GF/F filters. Several drops of hydrochloric acid (HCl,
10 Seasonal Changes of Hydrobiological and Bio-Optical Parameters in the. . .
155
the riverine discharges containing SOM and nutrients, conditions of the riverine and
sea waters mixing and its dynamics, as well as the variability of climatic conditions
(Voskresenskaya et al. 2004, 2011).
In recent decades, along with the expeditionary research the remote sensing is
widely applied. Satellite measurements of the radiation ascending from the sea
surface performed by the optical color scanners (SeaWiFS, MODIS) made it
possible to obtain qualitatively new information on its spatial-temporal characteristics (Kopelevich et al. 2004, 2009). The obtained data on the marine environment
bio-optical parameters is used for assessing bio-productivity of seas and oceans and
controlling their ecological condition.
The chapter presents the results of generalizing and analyzing the multi-year
investigations of the spatial-temporal variability of the distribution of the SOM
components’ content (1978–1995) and the bio-optical parameters (1997–2015) in
NWBS and in the coastal areas of the western Black Sea.
10.2 Materials, Methods, Results and Discussions
The data obtained on scientific cruises were obtained from the datasets of the
Marine Hydrophysical Institute and Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas.
Several parameters were considered, including the concentration of suspended
organic carbon (C SOM ) and suspended organic nitrogen (N SOM ) obtained on 20 scientific cruises. In total, data collected for 198 stations were analyzed, including
33 stations covered by two winter cruises (the second part of December–March),
58 stations on five spring cruises (April–May), 77 stations on seven summer cruises
(June–September), and 45 stations on six autumn cruises (October–first part of
December). We have also analyzed the concentrations of chlorophyll a (C Chl )
obtained on 37 cruises at 123 stations, including 102, 60, 152, and 123 stations
for each season, respectively, as well as monthly averages of C Chl concentration
according to CZCS radiometer observations for the period of 1978–1986
(Kopelevich et al. 2002; Nezlin and D’yakonov 1998) and data obtained by the
SeaWiFS and MODIS satellite sea surface scanner for the period of 1997–2015
(Information on Black Sea Color Data Processing and Distribution. http://
blackseacolor.com; http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov). To determine the concentration of chlorophyll a satellite data were used regional calculation algorithm (Suslin
et al. 2008). Was also used satellite observations of main bio-optical parameters
using the scanner Sea WiFS color in 1997–2010: the absorption coefficient of light
colored organic matter with the nonliving suspended matter at a wavelength of
490 nm – a g (from here on, absorption coefficient) and the particle backscattering at
a wavelength of 550 nm – b bp (from here on, scattering coefficient).
The water samples for suspended matter analysis were collected with a CTD
rosette. A water sample 1.0–2.5 L in volume was sieved through pre-combusted
(400
C) glass fiber Whatman GF/F filters. Several drops of hydrochloric acid (HCl,
10 Seasonal Changes of Hydrobiological and Bio-Optical Parameters in the. . .
155