The Onset of Spring Blooms

The annual cycle of phytoplankton growth in many parts of the ocean is dominated by a rapid, intense population explosion called the spring bloom. The increase in the phytoplankton population associated with the spring bloom can account for up to a third of the net annual production and the resulting biomass sets the stage for the ecological competition later in the season. Ferrari's group studies what physical processes set the stage for the development of these blooms.