To evaluate the physicochemical environment(nutrients and light)at high and low tide in the inner western part of Ariake
Bay during winter, observations were made from estuarine to offshore areas. Diatom blooms, dominated by the genus
Skeletonema, and low dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN)concentrations were observed in the offshore area on December 5,
2017. As a result of the diatom blooms, DIN concentrations in the estuary at high tide on December26, 2017were low, except
in the upper estuary. Although DIN concentrations in the upper estuary were high, euphotic depth to water depth ratios(zeu/z)
were low(<0.6)due to high turbidity. Tidal movement of the water mass from the upper estuary to the offshore area resulted
in high-nutrient areas offshore during low tide on December 27, 2017, and zeu/z increased due to the decreased depth. This
suggests that the light environment of a water mass with high nutrient concentrations improves from high tide to low tide,
benefiting diatom growth, which may influence diatom population growth in this area.
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