Effect of changes in mixed layer depth

The PP rate and related chi a and POC concentrations are controlled to a very large extent by the mixed layer dynamics, as can be seen in Fig. 6.8, but the 

However, as pointed out by Sathyendranath and Platt (1994) and Sathyen-dranath etal. (1999), models that only consider mixed layer dynamics without taking into account changes in bio-optical properties of phytoplankton are probably insufficient to explain the occurrence of phytoplankton blooms in the Arabian Sea. Sathyendranath etal. (1999) provided evidence for significant seasonal changes in the parameters that describe the dependence of photosynthesis rate of phytoplankton on the amount of light available (P-I curves), viz. the assimilation number (PmB) and the initial slope of photosynthesis-light curve (aB), as well as in the specific absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (ac ). 

---