Ayala Torres, Rosamar

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Seasonal dissolved oxygen fluctuations through the water column in a shallow tropical bioluminescent bay, la Parguera, Lajas
(2022-07-08) Ayala Torres, Rosamar; Otero Morales, Ernesto; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Soler Figueroa, Brenda M.; Morell, Julio M.; Department of Marine Sciences; Monroig Saltar, Francisco M.
Oceans are susceptible to low oxygen concentrations due to anthropogenic activities. In the Caribbean, some coastal regions are experiencing extreme incidences of oxygen depletion, jeopardizing the ecosystem. Using continuous and discrete approaches, we examine the temporal and spatial patterns of dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bahía Fosforescente in southwestern Puerto Rico. The purpose was to evaluate whether hypoxic/anoxic conditions (DO < 2.5 mg L-1) are sustained, linked to weather, and correspond to bioluminescence fluctuations at the bay. Results indicate the development of an oxycline below 3-m depth, reaching hypoxic/anoxic conditions during various weeks in the wet season when calmer winds dominated. High levels of bioluminescence occur during these low DO periods, reaching 2.71×10^12 photons L-1 in the wet season. These patterns may be linked to the entry of nutrients and organic carbon during the rainy season and diminished winds, which favor the development of near-bottom anoxic conditions and influence benthic nutrient fluxes.