Chlorophyll a concentration, and proportion of time in the water column obtained by instrumented bowhead whales ...

• Main Authors: Laidre, Kristin L, Heide-Jørgensen, Mads Peter, Logsdon, Miles L, Delwiche, Leon, Nielsen, Torkel Gissel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2010
• Subjects: Multiple investigations; International Polar Year 2007-2008 IPY; Balaena mysticetus; Greenland; International Polar Year; IPY
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.815106; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.815106

Sixty hours of direct measurements of fluorescence were collected from six bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) instrumented with fluorometers in Greenland in April 2005 and 2006. The data were used to (1) characterize the three-dimensional spatial pattern of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in the water column, (2) to examine the relationships between whale foraging areas and productive zones, and (3) to examine the correlation between whale-derived in situ values of Chl-a and those from concurrent satellite images using the NASA MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) EOS-AQUA satellite (MOD21, SeaWifs analogue OC3M and SST MOD37). Bowhead whales traversed 1600 km**2, providing information on diving, Chl-a structure and temperature profiles to depths below 200 m. Feeding dives frequently passed through surface waters ( >50 m) and targeted depths close to the bottom, and whales did not always target patches of high concentrations of Chl-a in the upper 50 m. Five satellite images were available within ... : Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150 ...