Deep chlorophyll maximum
Encyclopedia
A deep chlorophyll maximum, or DCM, is a subsurface maximum in the concentration of chlorophyll
in the ocean
or in lakes. Throughout much of the tropical ocean, the DCM is a permanent feature. At higher latitudes, it occurs seasonally. The presence of a DCM may indicate a maximum in the abundance of phytoplankton
, or it may result from the higher chlorophyll content of phytoplankton living in a darker environment.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
in the ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
or in lakes. Throughout much of the tropical ocean, the DCM is a permanent feature. At higher latitudes, it occurs seasonally. The presence of a DCM may indicate a maximum in the abundance of phytoplankton
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of the plankton community. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν , meaning "plant", and πλαγκτός , meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye...
, or it may result from the higher chlorophyll content of phytoplankton living in a darker environment.