Suspended Matter, Chl-a, CDOM, Grain Sizes, and Optical Properties in the Arctic Fjord-Type Estuary, Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland During Summer

• Published in: Estuaries and Coasts
• Main Authors: Lund-Hansen, Lars Chresten, Andersen, Thorbjørn Joest, Nielsen, Morten Holtegaard, Pejrup, Morten
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Arctic; Greenland; Kangerlussuaq
• Online Access: https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/suspended-matter-chla-cdom-grain-sizes-and-optical-properties-in-the-arctic-fjordtype-estuary-kangerlussuaq-west-greenland-during-summer(09d99014-24ec-4286-a9d2-84c296834a60).html; https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9300-7

Optical constituents as suspended particulate matter (SPM), chlorophyll (Chl-a), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and grain sizes were obtained on a transect in the arctic fjord-type estuary Kangerlussuaq (66°) in August 2007 along with optical properties. These comprised diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling PAR (Kd(PAR)), upwelling PAR (Ku(PAR)), particle beam attenuation coefficient (cp), and irradiance reflectance R (-0, PAR). PAR is white light between 400 and 700 nm. The estuary receives melt water from the Greenland Inland Ice and stations covered a transect from the very high turbid melt water outlet to clear marine waters. Results showed a strong spatial variation with high values a s for suspended matter concentrations, CDOM, diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd(PAR), particle beam attenuation coefficients (cp), and reflectance R(-0, PAR) at the melt water outlet. Values of optical constituents and properties decreased with distance from the melt water outlet to a more or less constant level in central and outer part of the estuary. There was a strong correlation between inorganic suspended matter (SPMI) and diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd(PAR) (r2=0.92) and also for particle beam attenuation coefficient (cp; r2=0.93). The obtained SPMI specific attenuation—Kd *(PAR)=0.13 m2g-1 SPMI—and the SPMI specific particle beam attenuation—cp *= 0.72 m2g-1—coefficients were about two times higher than average literature values. Irradiance reflectance R(-0, PAR) was comparatively high (0.09-0.20) and showed a high (r2=0.80) correlation with Ku(PAR). Scattering dominated relative to absorption—b(PAR)/a(PAR)=12.3. Results strongly indicated that the high values in the optical properties were related to the very fine particle sizes (mean=2–6 µm) of the suspended sediment. Data and results are discussed and compared to similar studies from both temperate and tropical estuaries.