Chlorophyll Content Observations of the Near-Surface Scattering Layers in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

In several areas of the Mediterranean Sea near-surface sound-reflecting layers have been studied. The amount of total pigment occurring in these layers has been determined. Since these layers occur near the basis of the euphotic zone, the degree of degradation of the pigments has been determined by a fluorimetric method. An increase in total pigment has been noticed in the scattering layer as compared to the over and under-lying water layers. A low degree of decomposition of pigment has been found in the scattering layer compared with that in the immediate over and under-lying layers of the wather column. When a scattering layer is lacking the degradation state of the pigment increases progressively with depth. These results suggest that the plants present in the scattering layers are healthy with regard to photosyntetic pigment.