Term: surface_mass_concentration_of_calcareous_phytoplankton_expressed_as_chlorophyll_in_sea_water

Unit: kg m-3

Unit ref: UKMC

AMIP:

GRIB:

Term: surface_mass_concentration_of_calcareous_phytoplankton_expressed_as_chlorophyll_in_sea_water

Unit: kg m-3

Unit ref: UKMC

AMIP:

GRIB:

The surface called "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. Mass concentration means mass per unit volume and is used in the construction "mass_concentration_of_X_in_Y", where X is a material constituent of Y. A chemical species denoted by X may be described by a single term such as "nitrogen" or a phrase such as "nox_expressed_as_nitrogen". The phrase "expressed_as" is used in the construction A_expressed_as_B, where B is a chemical constituent of A. It means that the quantity indicated by the standard name is calculated solely with respect to the B contained in A, neglecting all other chemical constituents of A. Calcite is a mineral that is a polymorph of calcium carbonate. The chemical formula of calcite is CaCO3. "Calcareous phytoplankton" are phytoplankton that produce calcite. Phytoplankton are autotrophic prokaryotic or eukaryotic algae that live near the water surface where there is sufficient light to support photosynthesis. Chlorophylls are the green pigments found in most plants, algae and cyanobacteria; their presence is essential for photosynthesis to take place. There are several different forms of chlorophyll that occur naturally. All contain a chlorin ring (chemical formula C20H16N4) which gives the green pigment and a side chain whose structure varies. The naturally occurring forms of chlorophyll contain between 35 and 55 carbon atoms.