Oceanography L1-4: Limitations of Sverdrup’s critical depth hypothesis

Question

Limitations of Sverdrup’s critical depth hypothesis

Alex Rapai · Accepted Answer

1. Winter mixing is thorough to mix phytoplankton evenly throughout the water column 
2. Loss rate of phytoplankton (grazing, viral lysis, cell death) independent of depth or growth rate 
3. Nutrients do not limit instantaneous growth of phytoplankton

Oceanography L1-4

Limitations of Sverdrup’s critical depth hypothesis

1. Winter mixing is thorough to mix phytoplankton evenly throughout the water column 2. Loss rate of phytoplankton (grazing, viral lysis, cell death) independent of depth or growth rate 3. Nutrients do not limit instantaneous growth of phytoplankton

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