Sources of variability in the column photosynthetic cross section for Antarctic coastal waters

Using a highly resolved Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) database collected near Palmer Station, Antarctica, from 1991 to 1994, the variability in the column photosynthetic cross section (Ψ*, m2 g Chl α−1) was analyzed. The relationship between the daily integrated primary production rates versus the product of surface irradiance (QPAR(0+)) and the integrated chlorophyll content (down to 0.1% QPAR(0+)) gave a Ψ* value of 0.0695 m2 g Chl α−1 (r2=0.85, p