Nutrient Limitation of Phytoplankton in Chesapeake Bay

Description

The Chesapeake Bay has well-documented seasonal and spatial variations in nutrient limitation, but it remains unknown whether these patterns of nutrient limitation have changed in response to nutrient management efforts. This study, published in Water Research, analyzed historical data from nutrient bioassay experiments (1992–2002) and data from a long-term, fixed-site water-quality monitoring program (1990–2017) to develop empirical approaches for predicting nutrient limitation in the surface waters of the mainstem Bay. Understanding the temporal and spatial roles of nutrient limitation on phytoplankton growth is necessary for developing successful management strategies.

Citation

Zhang, Q., T. R. Fisher, E. M. Trentacoste, C. Buchanan, A. B. Gustafson, R. Karrh, R. R. Murphy, J. Keisman, C. Wu, R. Tian, J. M. Testa, and P. J. Tango, 2021. “Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton in Chesapeake Bay: Development of an empirical approach for water-quality management”, Water Research, 188C: 116407, doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116407.