DISCUSSION 



The 2-week interval between Operations I and II 

 permitted comparisons which emphasized the dynamic and 

 complex nature of the environment. Physical data were 

 compared to the distribution of organisms and correlations 

 noted. 



MICROCONSTITUENTS 



OPERATION I 



Operation I was conducted during a period of high 

 concentration of Gymnodinium flavum. The organisms were 

 distributed just above the thermocline and in it. Their 

 level shifted as much as 40 feet in a few hours in accordance 

 with the changing thermocline. Total microorganisms and 

 total microconstituents showed the same pattern. An in- 

 verse relationship was demonstrated between light trans- 

 mission and the distribution of G. flavum, total microorganisms^ 

 and total microconstituents. Specific points of population 

 density in the distributional patterns of Ceratium fusus, C. furca, 

 and other dinoflagellates compared positively to the distri- 

 bution of total microorganisms and total microconstituents 

 and indicated an additive contribution to turbidity. 



The organisms cited were also distributed in or 

 above the thermocline. This observation emphasized the 

 role of thermal gradients in the distribution of organisms 

 of this type. 



57 



