Vertical Distribution of Bio-Optical Properties of the Azov – Black Sea Basin Waters in April – May, 2019

Purpose. The work is aimed at investigating spatial distribution of the chlorophyll a concentration and the spectral light absorption coefficients by all optically active components in the Azov and Black seas in spring, when the seawater hydrophysical structure changes. Methods and Results. The data collected in the 106th scientific cruise of R/V Professor Vodyanitsky in April 19 – May 10, 2019 were used. The chlorophyll a concentration was measured by the spectrophotometric method. The spectral light absorption coefficients were determined in accordance with the NASA protocol 2018. The optical measurements were performed using the dual-beam spectrophotometer Lambda 35 (PerkinElmer). It was shown that in the surface layer of the Black Sea, the chlorophyll a concentration varied from 0.21 to 1.2 mg/m3. At some stations in the deep-water region, the increased values of this parameter were observed in the lower part of the euphotic zone that was associated with the beginning of seasonal water stratification due to the surface water heating. At these stations, the phytoplankton absorption spectra were more smoothed in the lower part of the euphotic zone than those in the upper layer. In the deep-water region, the non-algal particles contribution to the total particulate light absorption at wavelength 438 nm changed with depth from 40 ± 15 % at the surface to 29 ± 12 % near the bottom of the euphotic zone; whereas in the coastal waters this parameter was almost unchangeable within the water column (54 ± 11 %). No significant change of the colored dissolved organic matter contribution to the total light absorption with depth was revealed (69% on average). In the Sea of Azov, vertical distribution both of the chlorophyll a concentration (6.2 mg/m3 on average) and the spectral light absorption coefficients by all the optically active components was uniform. The non-algal particles contribution to the particulate light absorption was 40 ± 14 %, and the colored dissolved organic matter contribution to the total light absorption constituted 52 ± 6 %. Conclusions. New data on spatial distribution of the chlorophyll a concentration and the spectral light absorption coefficients by the optically active components in the Black and Azov seas were obtained for the spring period when the seawater hydrophysical characteristics changed.