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Spatial variations in time‐integrated plankton metabolic rates in Sagami Bay using triple oxygen isotopes and O2:Ar ratios
Author(s) -
Sarma V. V. S. S.,
Abe O.,
Saino T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.2008.53.5.1776
Subject(s) - primary production , oceanography , autotroph , environmental science , plankton , heterotroph , phytoplankton , photic zone , chlorophyll a , bay , ecology , geology , chemistry , biology , ecosystem , nutrient , paleontology , biochemistry , bacteria
Plankton metabolic rates, such as rates of gross, net community production and community respiration, were measured in the surface waters using triple oxygen isotopes and O 2 : Ar ratios. The 17D anomaly showed clear coastal and offshore gradients that were consistent with the distribution of chlorophyll a and oxygen saturation. Gross primary production (GPP) rates in coastal regions were several times higher than offshore regions, and the net‐to‐gross production ratio (N : G) indicated that coastal regions were net autotrophic, whereas offshore regions were net heterotrophic. On a seasonal scale, about 73% of the phytoplankton‐produced carbon was respired. Based on floating‐sediment‐trap data, export production to the aphotic zone was about 12‐20% of the GPP; the rest accumulated as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or was respired.