Temporal Variations in the Dissolved Nutrient Stocks in the Surface Water of the Western North Atlantic Ocean |
| |
| Authors: | Insaf S Babiker Mohamed A A Mohamed Kaori Komaki Keiichi Ohta Kikuo Kato |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Hydrospheric Atmospheric Research Center, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Furo-cho, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan;(2) Present address: School of Environmental Science, The University of Shiga Prefecture, 2500 Hassaka-cho, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan |
| |
| Abstract: | Changes in patterns of undetectability and molar ratios of dissolved nutrients in the euphotic zone of the oligotrophic western
North Atlantic Ocean were investigated utilizing the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) data set of the US Joint Global
Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS). Our aim was to examine the temporal dynamics of nutrient stocks over a decade (1989∼1998) and to
gain insight into the interactions between the different biotic and abiotic factors underlying BATS. Patterns of nutrient
undetectability clearly revealed the depleted nature of the nutrients in surface water at the BATS location, particularly
phosphorous. The N:P ratio was consistently far above the nominal Redfield ratio (mean, 38.5) but was significantly lower
during the 1993∼1994 period (22.1). Over the same period the proportion of samples depleted in N only increased while the
proportion of samples depleted in P only decreased. This indicates an overall reduction of N relative to P in the surface
water at BATS during the 1993∼1994 period, the reasons for this anomaly, though, are not clear. The correlation analysis between
the biotic and abiotic variables at BATS has indicated some interesting relationships that can help understand some of the
parameters affecting nutrient stocks in the euphotic zone and their consequent impacts on marine biota. Although nutrient
stocks in the oligotrophic environment are limited, they might be subject to interannual variation that may become anomalous
in some cases. These variations might underlay significant feedback mechanisms by affecting marine productivity, the prime
factor controlling the sequestration of atmospheric CO2 by the oceans.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
| |
| Keywords: | Nutrient depletion variability winter mixing phytoplankton North Atlantic Ocean BATS |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
