Date Awarded
1971
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Advisor
John L. Dupuy
Committee Member
John L. Wood
Committee Member
George Grant
Committee Member
William G. MacIntyre
Abstract
A quantitative comparison of the phytoplankton in the surface microlayer of an estuary and that a depth of one meter was made using a Garrett-type screen and a Frautschy bottle for sample collection. Results showed that the surface microlayer contained a significantly greater number of phytoplankton cells than the water at one meter. Species diversity at the surface tended to be somewhat lower than one meter, due to a greater number of individuals of the dominant species. Investigation revealed that the presence of a monomolecular film of slick material absorbed onto the water surface resulted in a decrease in the number of phytoplankton cells in the surface microlayer. Species succession and seasonal abundance were also examined. This dissertation is from the Joint Program Degree from the College of William & Mary and University of Virginia and awarded by the University of Virginia.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25773/HF22-3687
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Gibson, Victoria R., "Vertical distribution of estuarine phytoplankton in the surface microlayer and at one meter, and fluctuations in abundance caused by surface adsorption of monomolecular films" (1971). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1627407593.
https://doi.org/10.25773/HF22-3687
