Total chlorophyll distribution and characteristics

The DCM, which is characteristic of the non-winter situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, typically develops at a depth of 100-140m (Fig. 4.5 Yacobi 

An important characteristic of the phytoplankton of the Eastern Mediterranean is their small size. Most of the chlorophyll ( 60 to 98%, depending on the study) is associated with particles smaller than 10 pm, or even 3 pm (Li etal, 1993 Zohary etal, 1998 Psarra etal., 2000 Vidussi etal., 2001). This abundance in the smaller size range is typical of oligotrophic seas and is thought to be due to the greater ability of small phytoplankton to harvest the very low levels of nutrients available in such systems due to their higher surface area to volume ratio. 

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