Optical Water Quality Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems
Summary
Optical water quality in coastal ecosystems is governed by the interplay of physical, chemical and biological factors that determine the penetration and spectral composition of light through the water column. Suspended particulate matter and chromophoric dissolved organic matter absorb and scatter incoming radiation, shaping the depth and quality of the euphotic zone and thus regulating primary production, nutrient cycling and ecological interactions. Variations in riverine discharge, sediment resuspension and human-driven nutrient inputs alter light attenuation, with implications for the timing of phytoplankton blooms, the health of benthic habitats and the resilience of food webs. Climate-driven changes such as increased precipitation, coastal darkening and shifting wave climates further modulate optical properties, provoking feedbacks on carbon sequestration, oxygen dynamics and habitat suitability. An integrated understanding of these dynamics is essential for effective monitoring, predictive modelling and management of coastal waters under rapid environmental change.
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Optical Water Quality Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems publication trend
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Technical terms
Euphotic zone: The depth layer in which sufficient light is available to support photosynthesis.
Diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd): A measure of the rate at which downwelling light diminishes with depth due to absorption and scattering.
Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM): Light-absorbing organic molecules originating from terrestrial or biological sources.
Suspended particulate matter (SPM): Solid particles in the water column that scatter and absorb light, including sediment and biological detritus.
Secchi depth: A simple indicator of water clarity obtained by lowering a white disc into the water until it is no longer visible.
Turbidity: The optical property that causes light scattering by particles, often assessed to gauge water quality.
References
- Association between water darkening and hypoxia in a Norwegian fjord. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science (2024).
- Three decades of change in the Skagerrak coastal ecosystem, shaped by eutrophication and coastal darkening. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science (2023).
- Marine primary producers in a darker future: a meta‐analysis of light effects on pelagic and benthic autotrophs. Oikos (2023).
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