The spring bloom is a strong increase in phytoplankton abundance (i.e. stock) that typically occurs in the early spring and lasts until late spring or early summer. This seasonal event is characteristic of temperate North Atlantic, sub-polar, and coastal waters. The magnitude, spatial extent and duration of a bloom depends on a variety of environmental conditions, such as light availability, nutrients, temperature, and stratification of the water column. The initial phytoplankton stock size is also important.
Read more about Spring Bloom: The Standard Spring Bloom Mechanism, Alternative Mechanisms of Spring Blooms, Northward Progression of Spring Blooms, Species Succession During Spring Blooms, Spring Bloom Variability and The Influence of Climate Change
Famous quotes containing the words spring and/or bloom:
“So that’s why you’re green around the gills. Spring comes to the bushveldt, the young bucks start butting their heads together.”
—Leigh Brackett (1915–1978)
“But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white—then melts for ever;”
—Robert Burns (1759–1796)