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Redfield ratios and regeneration rates of particulate matter in the Sea of Japan as a model of closed system
Author(s) -
Chen ChenTung Arthur,
Gong GwoChing,
Wang ShuLun,
Bychkov Alexander S.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1029/96gl01676
Subject(s) - redfield ratio , alkalinity , decomposition , particulates , organic matter , nitrate , environmental chemistry , mineralogy , chemistry , zoology , nutrient , biology , phytoplankton , organic chemistry
Since the Sea of Japan Proper Water is formed inside the closed basin, it is straightforward to use the mass‐balance method to estimate the Redfield ratios and the dissolution and decomposition rates of particulate matter. The resulting Ca/Si/C/O/N/P ratios for waters deeper than 2000 m are 23±9/57±2/98±6/125±5/13±0.9/1±0.04, in good agreement with the traditional C/O/N/P values of 106/138/16/1. The calcium and alkalinity data indicate a CaCO 3 dissolution rate of 0.22±0.13 and 0.16±0.05 µmol kg −1 yr −1 respectively. The organic carbon (OC) decomposition rate is 0.89±0.05 µmol kg −1 yr −1 while the oxygen consumption rate is 1.13±0.04 µmol kg −1 yr −1 . The nitrate, phosphate and silicate regeneration rates are, respectively, 0.12±0.008, 0.0091±0.0004 and 0.52±0.02 µmol kg −1 yr −1 . These rates are much higher than found elsewhere in the open oceans. The Ca/Si/C/O/N/P ratios for waters immediately beneath the thermocline (300 — 600 m) are 0±8/22±2/88±9/121±7/14.7±1.3/1±0.04. The C/P ratio is lower than the traditional Redfield ratio but the N/P ratio is in very good agreement. The regeneration rates are as follows: IC= 0±0.4, OC = 3.7±0.4, O = 5.1±0.3, N = 0.62±0.06, P = 0.042±0.002 and Si = 0.93±0.05 µmol kg −1 yr −1 respectively. These values indicate that the decomposition rate of organic matter is about five times higher in the upper water than in the deeper water.