Coastal Productivity 



Falkowski, P.G. 



$200,000 



Brookhaven National Laboratory 



Department of Applied Science 



C: 516-282-2961; F: 666-2961 * 



Effects of energy-related pollutants on ecosystems of the Northeast Continental Shelf cannot be assessed or 

 predicted without an understanding of the production and fate of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton, because of their 

 high productivity, play a central role in the flux of organic matter and pollutants. This project focuses on processes 

 that govern the production and fate of phytoplankton in coastal plumes and continental shelf environments. The ap- 

 proach is multi-disciplinary, involving shipboard observations, remote sensing, and moored instruments. The work, 

 called Shelf Edge Exchange Processes (SEEP) Program, is concerned with exchange processes across the shelf that 

 result in deposition of organic material on the upper slope. Field and laboratory studies are under way to provide 

 basic information on the effects of light energy and nutrients on phytoplankton growth and this information will be 

 used to develop a unified field theory of the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. The continental shelf of 

 the Northeast Atlantic Coast is a biologically rich and complex environment subject to increased anthropogenic 

 perturbations of an energy-related nature. This project focuses on the natural variability of coastal ecosystems, to 

 develop a comprehensive theory describing the regulation of primary production in coastal ecosystems impacted by 

 runoff from major estuarine systems. The natural variability of the Northeast Continental Shelf will be studied suf- 

 ficiently to allow anthropogenic perturbations to be placed in a perspective required for rational management 

 strategy. 



"C" indicates the commercial telephone number, while "F' refers to the number for the Federal Telephone Sys- 

 tem (FTS). 



Coastal Ocean Margins Program A4 December 1988 



