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Non-linear analysis of chlorophyll a transects as a method of quantifying spatial structure

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 13:49 authored by Peter StruttonPeter Strutton, Mitchell, JG, Parslow, JS
A method of analysis, initially developed as a method of distinguishing between chaotic dynamics and observational noise in time series, was applied to transects of chlorophyll a from the Southern Ocean. The algorithm works by predicting the behaviour of a data set based on patterns present within the data. This differs from previous analyses in that it permits classification of the dynamics governing the system. In a chaotic system, predictions become exponentially poor as one attempts to predict further ahead, due to the sensitivity of the system to initial conditions. However, in a system governed by stochastic noise, no such deterioration in predictions is observed. This work represents the first application of the algorithm to oceanic transect data, and our results show a less than exponential decline in predictive ability. The behaviour of the prediction curves is closely related to that of the corresponding autocorrelation functions, indicative of a stochastic, but spatially coherent data set with significant positive autocorrelations. Furthermore, successful prediction is correlated with the sum of the chlorophyll power spectrum. We conclude that the predictive ability of the algorithm is greatest when spatial variation in the chlorophyll transects is high.

History

Publication title

Journal of Plankton Research

Volume

18

Issue

9

Pagination

1717-1726

ISSN

0142-7873

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Oxford Univ Press

Place of publication

Great Clarendon St, Oxford, England, Ox2 6Dp

Rights statement

Copyright 1996 Oxford University Press

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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