Temporal Variation of Water Quality of the Western Chinhae Bay in Summer

Temporal changes of Chl-α, physical and chemical factors were investigated by diurnal observation at 2-hour interval at three fixed stations in the western Chinhae Bay from 12 Aug. to 13 Aug. 1999. Difference of dissolved oxygen between surface and bottom layer was maximum when the thermocline were strong. Organic distribution such as COD was affected by the growth of phytoplankton. Limitting factor was nitrogen, that is, inorganic nitrogen plays a significant role on regulating the algal growth. Surface distribution of dissolved inorganic nitrogen was very low compared to bottom layer by uptake of organisms. Maximum value of Chl-α at station C2 and C11 were observed from subsurface layer, ranges of which exceeded possibility concentration of red tide outbreak, 10 mg/㎥. On the other hand, that of C15 exist at surface layer. In this area, DIN and DIP concentrations increased by input sources such as rainfall and benthic flux before the bloom of phytoplankton. Accumulation of phytoplankton occurred at subsurface layer by the rapid uptake of DIN, especially nitrate ion, when strong thermocline existed as approach to the afternoon, which led to the increase of organics in water column and oxygen deficiency water mass at bottom layer until late at evening. Since then, DIN increases gradually as water temperature decrease to minimum. The quantitative understanding of nitrogen of fluxed to and from the various sources is necessary for environmental management.