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The ocean as a net heterotrophic system: Implications From the carbon biogeochemical cycle
Author(s) -
Smith S. V.,
Mackenzie F. T.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/gb001i003p00187
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , heterotroph , sink (geography) , environmental science , carbon cycle , oceanography , biological pump , organic matter , carbon sink , nutrient , microbial loop , biogeochemistry , total organic carbon , carbon flux , primary production , geology , environmental chemistry , ecosystem , ecology , chemistry , climate change , geography , biology , paleontology , cartography , bacteria
The global ocean apparently consumes more organic carbon than it produces. The excess heterotrophy probably occurs in the nearshore zone. This nearshore heterotrophy has significant implications with respect to processes such as organic matter transport from the nearshore zone to the adjacent open ocean, nutrient limitation of primary production, and the role of the coastal zone as a short‐term sink for anthropogenic CO 2 .