The Estimation of Phytoplankton Production in the Ocean from Chlorophyll and Light Data1

Abstract

The relationship was determined between photosynthetic rate at light saturation and chlorophyll content in natural populations and cultures of marine phytoplankton. A mean value of 3.7 g C assimilated/hour/g chlorophyll was obtained from the experimental results and from data present in the literature. A method is described by means of which organic production beneath a unit of sea surface may be estimated from the chlorophyll content of the water, the total daily solar radiation reaching the sea surface, and the extinction coefficient of visible light in the water column. Production values calculated by this method are compared with values obtained by in situ productivity measurements.