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The hydrography and plankton of the Moray Firth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

J. A. Adams  and
J. H. A. Martin
J. A. Adams
Affiliation:
Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen AB9 8DB, Scotland
J. H. A. Martin
Affiliation:
Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen AB9 8DB, Scotland
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Synopsis

The Moray Firth forms part of the north British coastal area of the North Sea and is distinguished by its depth, hydrography and plankton from the offshore northern North Sea. The 35·0 or 35·1 × 103 isohaline can be taken as the boundary between the two areas.

Geographical and seasonal variations in temperature and salinity are described in terms of a belt of low salinity coastal water in the inner firth and along its southern shore and of “mixed” water to the north and east. During the winter the “mixed” water is warmer than the coastal water, during the summer it is colder. Tidal streams are dominantly semi-diurnal, relatively weak in the inner firth and relatively strong in the outer firth. Residual currents are largely wind driven, and some are caused by tidal effects.

Geographical variation in the seasonal changes in the phytoplankton standing stock is related to water column stratification. The early spring standing stocks are highest in the inner firth and off the southern shore. During the summer and early autumn, phytoplankton is most abundant below the pycnocline. Average zooplankton standing stocks increase from 0·2–0·6 g dry weight (100m3) 1 in winter to 1.0 g (100m3) 1 exceptionally 4·5 g (100m3) 1. in summer. Standing stocks in November–December range from 0·3 to 1·8 g (100m3) 1.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 91: The Marine Environment of the Moray Firth , 1986 , pp. 37 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1986

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