e. without the use of satellites, (e.g. Rozwadowska & Isemer

1998, Rozwadowska 2004, 2007, Krężel et al 2008, Keevallik & Loitjärv 2010, Kowalczuk et al. 2010, see also the review by Dera & Woźniak 2010) and also by the results of the numerous studies we have started, using the remote sensing methodology described here. The next stage in the sunlight-driven existence and functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems (here: marine ecosystems) and climate are the processes taking place in and around the sea-atmosphere Z-VAD-FMK chemical structure interface, and then within the sea itself. Figure 1 shows that most of the solar radiation reaching the sea surface (flux (5)) is transmitted across the surface into the water (see flux (7) – total radiation entering the water), and some is reflected from this surface (flux (6) – radiation reflected by the surface) back into the atmosphere. The flux (7) then diffuses2 down into the water. There it is partially

backscattered, and some of this backscattered radiation may return to the atmosphere (flux (8) – radiation scattered upwards by the sea water), but most is absorbed by the components of sea water (flux (9) – radiation absorbed in the sea). Flux (9) consists of three 4��8C components. Two of these are the radiation absorbed by water molecules (flux (10)) and that absorbed by the organic/inorganic Selleckchem Veliparib substances dissolved/suspended in the water (flux (11) – the radiation absorbed by admixtures other than phytoplankton pigments). We give separate and detailed

treatment to the third component of this absorption, namely, the radiation absorbed by phytoplankton pigments (PUR3) and the partial utilization of this absorbed energy for the photosynthesis (i.e. primary production) of organic matter in the sea (flux (13) – PSR4). In other words, this part of the energy utilized in photosynthesis supplies marine ecosystems with the energy essential for their functioning. Figure 4 shows a diagram of this energy supply in marine ecosystems. As one might guess, the mathematical description of this problem, enabling the quantitative estimation of the magnitudes characterizing this process, is extremely complicated. This is because we are dealing here with two not quite complete energy transformations (the absorption of radiation and photosynthesis), which are governed by various environmental factors in an exceedingly complex manner.