Independent project plan

Map has been made of sights

Figures to do

Figure 1: o CTD graphs – temperature, salinity and depth all on one graph for multiple stations. You don’t need to use all stations but compare offshore (L4 and E1) vs nearshore stations.

• Purpose: Show stratification and water column structure.

• Analysis:

  • Compute density gradients (dρ/dz) to quantify stability.

  • Optional: overlay thermocline depth (where dT/dz is maximum).

• Legend: Describe the stations, depth range, and highlight the thermocline and pycnocline.

Figure 2: Chlorophyll against depth to compare offshore vs nearshore. Compare this with previous years.

• Purpose: Show how physical structure influences phytoplankton distribution.

• Analysis:

  • Compute Pearson correlation between chlorophyll and density.

  • Identify depth of maximum chlorophyll and check if it aligns with pycnocline.

• Legend: Include correlation coefficient, depth of chlorophyll maximum, and note any offshore vs. nearshore differences.

Figure 3: o Nutrients vs depth – you could probably add this to the chlorophyll graph.

• Purpose: Show nutrient availability and link to phytoplankton biomass.

• Analysis:

  • Compute Pearson correlation between chlorophyll and each nutrient.

  • Optional: linear regression to show strength of relationship.

• Legend: Highlight depths where nutrients are depleted vs. chlorophyll peaks.

Figure 4: Scatter plots of Chlorophyll vs. Nitrate (or other nutrients)

• Purpose: Quantify relationships between nutrients and phytoplankton.

• Analysis:

  • Fit linear regression lines, report R² and p-values.

  • Optionally separate points by depth layers (surface vs. subsurface).

• Legend: Explain regression results, significance, and interpretation.

Figure 5: Depth profiles of Chlorophyll, Density, and PAR (Light)

• Purpose: Show combined influence of light and stratification on chlorophyll.

• Analysis:

  • Compute correlation of chlorophyll with PAR.

  • Highlight chlorophyll maxima in relation to euphotic zone depth.

• Legend: Include depth of chlorophyll maximum, density gradient, and light attenuation.

Figure 6: o Average phytoplankton vs depth bar chart. (I did mine for salinity, but only because mine was the estuary question). You could also add nutrients.

• Purpose: Show horizontal and vertical variability and spatial patterns.

• Analysis:

  • Overlay isopycnals (lines of constant density) if possible.

  • Optional: compute average chlorophyll in offshore vs. nearshore zones, and perform t-test to show significant differences.

• Legend: Explain station locations, color scale, density contours, and interpretation.

Sub-prompts

• Compare nearshore vs. offshore profiles.

• Correlate phytoplankton (chlorophyll) with physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

• Consider tide, wind, light.

• Seasonal changes and year-round patterns (WCO data).

• Links to zooplankton and phytoplankton adaptations.

Stations

I’m going to be comparing offshore and nearshore stations. My offshore will be E1 and L4 and my nearshore will be the breakwater