Physical Modeling of Nutrient Upwelling

浮游植物从太阳（从上面）获得能量，从水柱（从下面）获得营养。分子扩散进行得如此缓慢，以至于真光层中的初级生产者将在一个时间尺度上耗尽其营养资源，这远低于通过实验观察到的。 因此，它们必须敏感地依赖于通过上升流过程补充营养。由于生活在真光层的生物不断死亡和分解，深层有大量的营养物质储备。 因此，一个可靠的浮游植物种群动态模型必须包括一个准确的物理模型的上升流过程。虽然少数研究人员已就这一物理组成部分开展了工作，但海洋生物学家的普遍共识是，仍有大量工作要做。例如，Bleck等人（1988）利用MYCOM等静压垂直网格模式，证明了锋面对上升流过程的重要性。对于沿海上升流，“混合”版本可能更合适。 然而，物理部分必须辅以一系列生物学考虑，如硅藻对光线变化的适应性;浮游动物在限制浮游植物种群中的作用;以及营养物质，浮游植物和浮游动物的流动性。这种生物成分目前超出了PI的专业领域，通过与罗森斯蒂尔学院的加里希区柯克博士合作，将建立有用的预测模型。 该IGMS项目由MPS多学科活动办公室（OMA）和数学科学部（DMS）共同支持。

Phytoplankton receive energy from the sun (from above), and nutrients from the water column (from below). Molecular diffusion proceeds so slowly that primary producers in the euphotic zone would deplete their nutrient resources over a time scale which is well below what is observed through experiments. They must, therefore, depend sensitively on the replenishment of nutrients through upwelling processes. There are large nutrient stocks at depth due to the constant death and decomposition of organisms that populate the euphotic zone. Thus a reliable model of phytoplankton population dynamics must incorporate an accurate physical model for the upwelling process. While work on this physical component has been undertaken by a small number of researchers, the general consensus among ocean biologists is that considerable work remains to be done. For instance, Bleck et al (1988) have shown the importance of fronts to the upwelling process using the MYCOM isopyncnal vertical grid model. For coastal upwelling, a "hybrid" version may be more suitable. However, the physics component must be supplemented by a suite of biological considerations such as the adaptivity of diatoms to variations in light; the role of zooplankton in limiting the phytoplankton populations; and the mobilities of nutrients, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. This biological component is currently beyond the PI's realm of expertise, and it is through collaboration with Dr. Gary Hitchock at the Rosenstiel School that useful predictive models will be forged. This IGMS project is jointly supported by the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA) and the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS).