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Phytoplankton and heterotrophic respiration in the surface layer of the ocean
Author(s) -
Marra John,
Barber Richard T.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2004gl019664
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , respiration , heterotroph , plankton , environmental science , oceanography , ecology , biology , botany , nutrient , geology , bacteria , genetics
We suggest a way to estimate phytoplankton respiration separately from heterotrophic respiration. The analysis is based on three findings: (1) that carbon loss in the plankton overnight is mostly phytoplankton respiration; (2) that uptake of 14 C estimates net primary production; and (3) that phytoplankton respiration occurs during the day at the same rate as at night. Based on these three findings, we propose that phytoplankton respiration can be estimated as twice the overnight loss of organic carbon. Heterotrophic respiration is then the difference between phytoplankton and total community respiration.