SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL SAMPLING SCALES 



The core measurements are ship-based and will be both survey and synoptic. The 

 measurements of primary production are typically conducted daily using simulated in situ 

 incubation methods. 



Production models are based on large scale parameterizations of the entire continental 

 margin and will be developed in conjunction with satellite measurements of ocean color. An 

 attempt will be made to develop algorithms for both phytoplankton chlorophyll and primary 

 production for the study area. 



In conjunction with the moored and towed fluorometer measurements, we will follow the 

 fate of phytoplankton in the near-bottom nephaloid layer. This effort will include both 

 biophysical measurements of photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency as well as molecular 

 biological measurements of specific proteins. 



METHODS AND PLATFORMS 



Most of the research is ship-based with a strong laboratory component to provide the basis 

 for novel measurements. The core measurements are based on well established protocols, such 

 as those used in the JGOFS program. We will not use HPLC for pigment analyses as we see no 

 significant gain relative to the effort expended. 



The biophysical methods focus on (1) variable fluorescence parameters, (2) low 

 temperature (77K) fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, (3) thermoluminescence, and (4) 

 fluorescence lifetimes. 



The molecular approaches focus primarily on western blots and poly-acrylamide gel 

 electrophoresis. 



STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF PROPOSED RESEARCH 



This research component provides the framework for developing all the carbon flux input 

 for the OMP. It is an integrated ecological, biophysical and molecular ecological program. 



The molecular biological and biophysical methods are still in a state of iterative testing 

 and improvement. In particular, the molecular biological methods are not "stand alone". 



38 



