Biogenic fluxes in the Cariaco Basin: a combined study of sinking particulates and underlying sediments

The fluxes of total mass, organic carbon (OC), biogenic opal, calcite (CaCO₃) and long-chain C₃₇ alkenones (ΣAlk₃₇) were measured at three water depths (275, 455 and 930 m) in the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) over three separate annual upwelling cycles (1996–1999) as part of the CARIACO sediment trap time-series. The strength and timing of both the primary and secondary upwelling events in the Cariaco Basin varied significantly during the study period, directly affecting the rates of primary productivity (PP) and the vertical transport of biogenic materials. OC fluxes showed a weak positive correlation (r²=0.3) with PP rates throughout the 3 years of the study. The fluxes of opal, CaCO₃ and ΣAlk₃₇ were strongly correlated (0.6<r²<0.8) with those of OC. The major exception was the lower than expected ΣAlk₃₇ fluxes measured during periods of strong upwelling. All sediment trap fluxes were significantly attenuated with depth, consistent with marked losses during vertical transport. Annually, strong upwelling conditions, such as those observed during 1996–1997, led to elevated opal fluxes (e.g., 35 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ at 275 m) and diminished ΣAlk₃₇ fluxes (e.g., 5 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ at 275 m). The opposite trends were evident during the year of weakest upwelling (1998–1999), indicating that diatom and haptophyte productivity in the Cariaco Basin are inversely correlated depending on upwelling conditions.The analyses of the Cariaco Basin sediments collected via a gravity core showed that the rates of OC and opal burial (10–12 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) over the past 5500 years were generally similar to the average annual water column fluxes measured in the deeper traps (10–14 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) over the 1996–1999 study period. CaCO₃ burial fluxes (30–40 g m⁻² yr⁻¹), on the other hand, were considerably higher than the fluxes measured in the deep traps (∼10 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) but comparable to those obtained from the shallowest trap (i.e. 38 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ at 275 m). In contrast, the burial rates of ΣAlk₃₇ (0.4–1 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹) in Cariaco sediments were significantly lower than the water column fluxes measured at all depths (4–6 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹), indicating the large attenuation in the flux of these compounds at the sediment–water interface. The major trend throughout the core was the general decrease in all biogenic fluxes with depth, most likely due to post-depositional in situ degradation. The major exception was the relatively low opal fluxes (∼5 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) and elevated ΣAlk₃₇ fluxes (∼2 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹) measured in the sedimentary interval corresponding to 1600–2000 yr BP. Such compositions are consistent with a period of low diatom and high haptophyte productivity, which based on the trends observed from the sediment traps, is indicative of low upwelling conditions relative to the modern day.     

Organic carbon flux and remineralization in surface sediments from the northern North Atlantic derived from pore-water oxygen microprofiles

Organic carbon fluxes through the sediment/water interface in the high-latitude North Atlantic were calculated from oxygen microprofiles. A wire-operated in situ oxygen bottom profiler was deployed, and oxygen profiles were also measured onboard (ex situ). Diffusive oxygen fluxes, obtained by fitting exponential functions to the oxygen profiles, were translated into organic carbon fluxes and organic carbon degradation rates. The mean C_org input to the abyssal plain sediments of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas was found to be 1.9 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹. Typical values at the seasonally ice-covered East Greenland continental margin are between 1.3 and 10.9 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ (mean 3.7 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹), whereas fluxes on the East Greenland shelf are considerably higher, 9.1–22.5 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹. On the Norwegian continental slope C_org fluxes of 3.3–13.9 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ (mean 6.5 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) were found. Fluxes are considerably higher here compared to stations on the East Greenland slope at similar water depths. By repeated occupation of three sites off southern Norway in 1997 the temporal variability of diffusive O₂ fluxes was found to be quite low. The seasonal signal of primary and export production from the upper water column appears to be strongly damped at the seafloor. Degradation rates of 0.004–1.1 mg C cm⁻³ a⁻¹ at the sediment surface were calculated from the oxygen profiles. First-order degradation constants, obtained from C_org degradation rates and sediment organic carbon content, are in the range 0.03–0.6 a⁻¹. Thus, the corresponding mean lifetime of organic carbon lies between 1.7 and 33.2 years, which also suggests that seasonal variations in C_org flux are small. The data presented here characterize the Norwegian and Greenland Seas as oligotrophic and relatively low organic carbon deep-sea environments.     

Seasonal and interannual variability in particle fluxes of carbon,nitrogen and silicon from time series of sediment traps at Ocean Station P, 1982–1993: relationship to changes in subarctic primary productivity

An extended time series of particle fluxes at 3800 m was recorded using automated sediment traps moored at Ocean Station Papa (OSP, 50°N, 145°W) in the northeast Pacific Ocean for more than a decade (1982–1993). Time-series observations at 200 and 1000 m, and short-term measurements using surface-tethered free-drifting sediment traps also were made intermittently. We present data for fluxes of total mass (dry weight), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON), biogenic Si (BSi), and particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) in calcium carbonate. Mean monthly fluxes at 3800 m showed distinct seasonality with an annual minimum during winter months (December–March), and maximum during summer and fall (April–November). Fluxes of total mass, POC, PIC and BSi showed 4-, 10-, 7- and 5-fold increases between extreme months, respectively. Mean monthly fluxes of PIC often showed two plateaus, one in May–August dominated by <63 μm particles and one in October–November, which was mainly >63 μm particles. Dominant components of the mass flux throughout the year were CaCO₃ and opal in equal amounts. The mean annual fluxes at 3800 m were 32±9 g dry weight g m⁻² yr⁻¹, 1.1±0.5 g POC m⁻² yr⁻¹, 0.15±0.07 g PON m⁻² yr⁻¹, 5.9±2.0 g BSi m⁻² yr⁻¹ and 1.7±0.6 g PIC m⁻² yr⁻¹. These biogenic fluxes clearly decreased with depth, and increased during “warm” years (1983 and 1987) of the El Niño, Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO). Enhancement of annual mass flux rates to 3800 m was 49% in 1983 and 36% in 1987 above the decadal average, and was especially rich in biogenic Si. Biological events allowed estimates of sinking rates of detritus that range from 175 to 300 m d⁻¹, and demonstrate that, during periods of high productivity, particles sink quickly to deep ocean with less loss of organic components. Average POC flux into the deep ocean approximated the “canonical” 1% of the surface primary production.     

Lithogenic and biogenic particle fluxes on the Lomonosov Ridge (central Arctic Ocean) and their relevance for sediment accumulation: Vertical vs. lateral transport

Investigations of lithogenic and biogenic particle fluxes using long-term sediment traps are still very rare in the northern high latitudes and are restricted to the arctic marginal seas and sub-arctic regions. Here data on the variability of fluxes of lithogenic matter, CaCO₃, opal, and organic carbon and biomarker composition from the central Arctic Ocean are presented for a 1-year period. The study was carried out on material obtained from a long-term mooring system equipped with two multi-sampling traps, at 150 and 1550 m depth, and deployed on the southern Lomonosov Ridge close to the Laptev Sea continental margin from September 1995 to August 1996. In addition, data from surface sediments were included in the study. Annual fluxes of lithogenic matter, CaCO₃, opal, and particulate organic carbon were 3.9, 0.8, 2.6, and 1.5 g m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively, in the shallow trap and 11.3, 0.5, 2.9, and 1.05 g m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively, in the deep trap.Both the shallow and the deep trap showed significant variations in vertical flux over the year. Higher values were found from mid-July to the end of October (total mass flux of 75–130 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ in the shallow trap and 40–225 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ in the deep trap). During all other months, fluxes were fairly low in both traps (most total mass flux values <10 mg m⁻² d⁻¹). The interval of increased fluxes can be separated into (1) a mid-July/August maximum caused by increased primary production as documented in high abundances of marine biomarkers and diatoms and (2) a September/October maximum caused by increased influence of Lena River discharge indicated by maximum lithogenic flux and large amounts of terrigenous/fluvial biomarkers in both traps. During September/October, total mass fluxes in the deep trap were significantly higher than in the shallow trap, suggesting a lateral sediment flux at greater depth. The lithogenic flux data also support the importance of sediment input from the Laptev Sea for the sediment accumulation on the Lomonosov Ridge on geological time scales, as indicated in sedimentary records from this region.     

Vertical flux of particulate Al,Fe, Pb,and Ba from the upper ocean estimated from 234Th/238U disequilibria

The vertical sinking flux of particulate Al, Fe, Pb, and Ba from the upper 250 m of the Labrador Sea has been estimated from measurements of ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U disequilibrium and the respective metal/²³⁴Th ratios in >53 μm size particles. ²³⁴Th-derived particulate metal fluxes include in situ scavenged metals, labile lithogenic metals, and metals derived from external input (e.g., atmospheric supply). In contrast to the POC/²³⁴Th ratio, particle size-fractionated (0.4–10 μm, 10–53 μm, and >53 μm) Al/²³⁴Th, Fe/²³⁴Th and Pb/²³⁴Th, and Ba/²³⁴Th ratios generally increase with depth and exhibit no systematic change with particle diameter. Sinking fluxes of particulate Al (2.47–22.3 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹), Fe (2.69–16.3 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹), Pb (2.85–70 nmol m⁻² d⁻¹), and Ba (0.13–2.1 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹) at 50 m (base of the euphotic zone) and 100 m (base of the mixed layer) are largely within the range of previous sediment trap results from other ocean basins. Estimates of the upper ocean residence time of Al (0.07–0.28 yr) and Pb (0.8–2.9 yr) are short compared to previously reported values. The settling rate of >53 μm particles calculated from the ²³⁴Th data ranges from 14 to 38 m d⁻¹.     

Lithogenic particle fluxes and grain size distributions in the deep ocean off northwest Africa: Implications for seasonal changes of aeolian dust input and downward transport

Between 1988 and 1994, twenty time-series sediment traps were deployed at different water depths in the Canary Island region, off Cape Blanc (Mauritania), and off Cape Verde (Senegal). Lithogenic particle fluxes and grain size distributions of the carbonate-free fraction of the trapped material show a high impact of dust transported either in the northeast trade winds or the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). Highest annual mean lithogenic fluxes (31.2–56.1 mg m^-2 d^-1) were observed at the Cape Blanc site, and largest annual mean diameters (>6 μm) were found off Cape Verde (14.5–16.9 μm) and off Cape Blanc (15.2–16.7 μm). Lowest annual lithogenic fluxes (11.4–21.2 mg m^-2 d^-1 ) and smallest mean diameters (13.5–13.7 μm) occurred in the Canary Island region. A significant correlation of organic carbon and lithogenic fluxes was observed at all sites. Off Cape Blanc, fluxes and mean diameters correlated well between upper (around 1000 m depth) and lower traps (around 3500 m depth), indicating a fast and mostly undisturbed downward transport of particulate matter. In contrast, a major correlation of fluxes without correlating mean diameters occurred in the Canary Island region, which translates into a fast vertical transport plus scavenging of laterally advected material with depth at this site. The seasonality of lithogenic fluxes was highest in the Canary Island region and off Cape Verde, reflecting strong seasonal patterns of atmospheric circulation, with highest occurrence of continental winds in the trade wind layer during winter. In addition, grain size statistics reflect a dominant change of dust transport in the trade winds during winter/spring and transport in the SAL during summer 1993 at the Cape Verde site. Highest lithogenic fluxes during winter were correlated with mean diameters around 10–13 μm, whereas lower fluxes during summer consisted of coarse grains around 20 μm. Annual mean dust input wascalculated from lithogenic fluxes in the range 0.7×10^6–1.4×106 t yr^-1, roughly confirming both sediment accumulation rates and atmospheric model calculations reported previously from this area.     

Export fluxes of particulate organic carbon in the Chukchi Sea: A comparative study using 234Th/238U disequilibria and drifting sediment traps

Large-volume sampling of ²³⁴Th and drifting sediment trap deployments were conducted as part of the 2004 Western Arctic Shelf–Basin Interactions (SBI) spring (May 15–June 23) and summer (July 17–August 26) process cruises in the Chukchi Sea. Measurements of ²³⁴Th and particulate organic carbon (POC) export fluxes were obtained at five stations during the spring cruise and four stations during the summer cruise along Barrow Canyon (BC) and along a parallel shelf-to-basin transect from East Hanna Shoal (EHS) to the Canada Basin. ²³⁴Th and POC fluxes obtained with in situ pumps and drifting sediment traps agreed to within a factor of 2 for 70% of the measurements. POC export fluxes measured with in situ pumps at 50 m along BC were similar in spring and summer (average = 14.0 ± 8.0 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 16.5 ± 6.5 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), but increased from spring to summer at the EHS transect (average = 1.9 ± 1.1 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 19.5 ± 3.3 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively). POC fluxes measured with sediment traps at 50 m along BC were also similar in both seasons (31.3 ± 9.3 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 29.1 ± 14.2 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), but were approximately twice as high as POC fluxes measured with in situ pumps. Sediment trap POC fluxes measured along the EHS transect also increased from spring to summer (3.0 ± 1.9 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1 and 13.0 ± 6.4 mmol C m^− 2 day^− 1, respectively), and these fluxes were similar to the POC fluxes obtained with in situ pumps. Discrepancies in POC export fluxes measured using in situ pumps and sediment traps may be reasonably explained by differences in the estimated POC/²³⁴Th ratios that arise from differences between the techniques, such as time-scale of measurement and size and composition of the collected particles. Despite this variability, in situ pump and sediment trap-derived POC fluxes were only significantly different at a highly productive station in BC during the spring.     

Episodic particulate fluxes at southern temperate mid-latitudes (42–45°S) in the Subtropical Front region,east of New Zealand

Sediment traps were deployed for almost 1 yr at two sites near 178°40′E in 1996–1997 on Chatham Rise (New Zealand). These sites were either side of the Subtropical Front (STF), which is a biologically productive zone, characterised by moderate atmospheric CO₂ uptake. At each site, PARFLUX sediment traps (Mk 7G–21) were deployed at 300 and 1000 m in 1500 m water depth. At 42°42′S, north of the STF, approximately 80% of the integrated total mass, POC and biogenic silica flux at 300 m occurred in a 7-day pulse in austral mid-spring (1064, 141 and 6 mg m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, in early October). This pulse was recorded a week later in the 1000 m trap, indicating a particle sinking rate of 100 m d⁻¹. In contrast, at 44°37′S, south of the STF, the main flux of total mass and biogenic silica occurred 3 weeks later in late spring (289 and 3 mg m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively, in early November). Organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes were persistently high over spring at the southern site, although total POC flux integrated over 3 months was only 60 mg m⁻² d⁻¹. Thus, up to 2–3 times more material was exported north of the STF, compared with fluxes measured <200 km away to the south. As an integrated proportion of the annual total mass flux, however, more organic carbon was exported south of the STF (17% cf. 5–14%). Furthermore, organic material exported in spring from southern waters was labile and protein-rich (C : N — 8–16, C : P — 200–450, N : P — 13–36), compared to the more refractory, diatom-dominated material sinking out north of the STF in spring (C : N 9–22, C : P 50–230, N : P 5–19). These observations are consistent with anomalously high benthic biomass and diversity observed on south Chatham Rise. Resuspension and differential particle settling are probable causes for depth increases in particulate flux. Estimated particle source areas may be up to 120 km away due to high levels of mesoscale activity and mean flow in the STF region.     

Dissolved inorganic carbon,alkalinity, nutrient and oxygen seasonal and interannual variations at the Antarctic Ocean JGOFS-KERFIX site

JGOFS-KERFIX (KERguelen point FIXe) time-series station, located south of the polar front in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Ocean, was occupied monthly between January 1990 and March 1995. Annual cycles of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TALK), oxygen (O₂) and nutrients (nitrate, silicate, phosphate and ammonia) in the upper ocean are presented for this site. From seasonal drawdown of nutrients and DIC, we estimate a spring–summer net community production of 3.2±0.5 mol m⁻² and C/N/P ratios of 100/16/1. The Si/N ratio varies between 1.8 and 3, suggesting low iron concentrations. The spring–summer biogenic silicon export derived from silicate drawdown is 1.18 mol m⁻², consistent with model estimates of silicate export at this site. Seasonal and interannual variations of oxygen, nitrate and DIC due to physical and biological processes are quantified using a simple month-to-month budget formulation. From these budgets, an annual net community production of 5.7±3.3 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹ is estimated, about twice the averaged spring–summer production, indicating that, at KERFIX, there is a positive net community production throughout the year. Air–sea CO₂ fluxes show that KERFIX is a strong CO₂ sink for the atmosphere of 2.4–5.1 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1993, depending on the gas exchange formulation used. A 2.1–3.3 mol m⁻² yr⁻¹ outgassing of O₂ is observed at KERFIX except in 1993 and 1994 where a decreasing trend of temperature induces an increase of O₂ solubility.     

Regional variations in the fluxes of foraminifera carbonate,coccolithophorid carbonate and biogenic opal in the northern Indian Ocean

Mass fluxes of diatom opal, planktonic foraminifera carbonate and coccolithophorid carbonate were measured with time-series sediment traps at six sites in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIOT). The above fluxes were related to regional variations in salinity, temperature and nutrient distribution. Annual fluxes of diatom opal range between 3 and 28 g m⁻² yr⁻¹, while planktonic foraminifera carbonate fluxes range between 6 and 23 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ and coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes range between 4 and 24 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. Annual planktonic foraminifera carbonate to coccolithophorid carbonate ratios range between 0.8 and 2.2 and coccolithophorid carbonate to diatom opal ratios range between 0.5 and 3.3.In the western Arabian Sea, coccolithophorids are the major contributors to biogenic flux during periods of low nutrient concentrations. Coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes decrease and planktonic foraminiferal carbonate and diatom opal fluxes increase when nutrient-rich upwelled waters are advected over the trap site. In the oligotropic eastern Arabian Sea, coccolithophorid carbonate fluxes are high throughout the year. Planktonic foraminiferal carbonate fluxes are the major contributors to biogenic flux in the EIOT. In the northern and central Bay of Bengal, when surface salinity values drop sharply during the SW monsoon, there is a drastic reduction in planktonic foraminiferal carbonate fluxes, but coccolithophorid carbonate and diatom opal fluxes remain steady or continue to increase. Distinctly higher annual molar Si_bio/C_inorg (>1) and C_org/C_inorg (>1.5) ratios are observed in the northern and central Bay of Bengal mainly due to lower foraminiferal carbonate production as a result of sharp salinity variations. We can thus infer that the enhanced freshwater supply from rivers should increase oceanic CO₂ uptake. Its silicate supply favours the production of diatoms while the salinity drop produces conditions unfavourable for most planktonic foraminifera species.     

Vertical distribution of zooplankton in Canary Island waters: implications for export flux

Zooplankton biomass, gut fluorescence and electron transfer system (ETS) activity were measured in vertical profiles (0–900 m) in two different size classes (<1 and >1 mm) in Canary Island waters. Both size fractions displayed a typical pattern of distribution with higher biomass, gut fluorescence and ETS in the shallower layers at night. By day, however, the vertical distribution varied between the size fractions, with higher biomass of the small fraction in the 0–200 m and a layer of large organisms at depth (∼500 m). For both size fractions, average ETS activity was higher by day than at night at depths between 200 and 600 m. Similarly, gut fluorescence was slightly higher by day below 200 m. The downward export of respiratory carbon was 1.92 and 4.29 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ for samples obtained southwest of Gran Canaria Island and west of Tenerife Island respectively, being 2.68 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ for the whole area. These values represented 16–45% (22–28% for the area) of the calculated passive particulate export production resulting from primary production. The estimated “gut flux” accounted for 0.35 (western zone) and 2.37 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ (southwest of Gran Canaria), being 1.28 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ for the whole area and represented between 3 and 25% (11–14% for the whole area) of the estimated passive particle export flux. These results agree with previous estimates and suggest that diel-migrant zooplankton can play an important role in the downward flux of carbon.     

Particulate organic carbon export fluxes and size-fractionated POC/234Th ratios in the Ligurian,Tyrrhenian and Aegean Seas

Measurements of ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U disequilibria and particle size-fractionated (1, 10, 20, 53, 70, 100 μm) organic C and ²³⁴Th were made to constrain estimates of the export flux of particulate organic C (POC) from the surface waters of the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian and Aegean Seas in March–June 2004. POC exported from the surface waters (75–100 m depth) averaged 9.2 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas (2.3±0.5–14.9±3.0 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) and 0.9 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in the Aegean Sea. These results are comparable to previous measurements of ²³⁴Th-derived and sediment-trap POC fluxes from the upper 200 m in the Mediterranean Sea. Depth variations in the POC/²³⁴Th ratio suggest two possible controls. First, decreasing POC/²³⁴Th ratios with depth were attributed to preferential remineralization of organic C. Second, the occurrence of maxima or minima in the POC/²³⁴Th ratio near the DCM suggests influence by phytoplankton dynamics. To assess the accuracy of these data, the empirical ²³⁴Th-method was evaluated by quantifying the extent to which the ²³⁴Th-based estimate of POC flux, P_POC, deviates from the true flux, F_POC, defined as the p-ratio (p-ratio=P_POC/F_POC=S_Th/S_POC, where S=particle sinking rate). Estimates of the p-ratio made using Stokes’ Law and the particle size distributions of organic C and ²³⁴Th yield values ranging from 0.93–1.45. The proximity of the p-ratio to unity implies that differences in the sinking rates of POC- and ²³⁴Th-carrying particles did not bias ²³⁴Th-normalized POC fluxes by more than a factor of two.     

Benthic fluxes in a tidal salt marsh creek affected by fish farm activities: Río San Pedro (Bay of Cádiz,SW Spain)

Benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity, oxygen, nutrients, nitrous oxide and methane were measured in situ at three sites of Río San Pedro salt marsh tidal creek (Bay of Cádiz, SW Spain) during three seasons. This system is affected by the discharges of organic carbon and nutrients from the surrounding aquaculture installations. Sediment oxygen uptake rates and inorganic carbon fluxes ranged respectively from 16 to 79 mmol O₂ m^? 2 d^? 1 and from 48 to 146 mmol C m^? 2 d^? 1. Benthic alkalinity fluxes were corrected for the influence of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? + NO₂^? fluxes, and the upper and lower limits for carbon oxidation rates were inferred by considering two possible scenarios: maximum and minimum contribution of CaCO₃ dissolution to corrected alkalinity fluxes. Average C_ox rates were in all cases within ± 25% of the upper and lower limits and ranged from 40 to 122 mmol C m^? 2 d^? 1. Whereas carbon mineralization did not show significant differences among the sites, C_ox rates varied seasonally and were correlated with temperature (r² = 0.72). During winter and spring denitrification was estimated to account for an average loss of 46% and 75%, respectively, of the potentially recyclable N, whereas during the summer no net removal was observed. A possible shift from denitrification to dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) during this period is argued. Dissolved CH₄ and N₂O fluxes ranged from 5.7 to 47 μmol CH₄ m^? 2 d^? 1 and 4.3 to 49 μmol N–N₂O m^? 2 d^? 1, respectively, and represented in all cases a small fraction of total inorganic C and N flux. Overall, about 60% of the total particulate organic matter that is discharged into the creek by the main fish farm facility is estimated to degrade in the sediments, resulting in a significant input of nutrients to the system.     

Ascending and descending particle flux from hydrothermal plumes at Endeavour Segment,Juan de Fuca Ridge

Bio-acoustic surveys and associated zooplankton net tows have documented anomalously high concentrations of zooplankton within a 100 m layer above the hydrothermal plumes at Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. These and other data suggest that congregating epi-plume zooplankton are exploiting a food substrate associated with the hydrothermal plume. Ascending, organic-rich particles could provide a connection. Consequently, two paired sequentially sampling ascending and descending particle flux traps and a current meter were deployed on each of three moorings from July 1994 to May 1995. Mooring sites included an on-axis site (OAS; 47°57.0′N, 129°05.7′W) near the main Endeavour vent field, a “down-current” site 3 km west of the main vent field (WS), and a third background station 43 km northeast of the vent field (ES). Significant ascending and descending particle fluxes were measured at all sites and depths. Lipid analyses indicated that ascending POC was derived from mid-depth and deep zooplankton whereas descending POC also contained a component of photosynthetically derived products from the sea surface. Highest ascending POC fluxes were found at the hydrothermal plume-swept sites (OAS and WS). The limited data available, however, precludes an unequivocal conclusion that hydrothermal processes contribute to the ascending flux of organic carbon at each site. Highest ascending to descending POC flux ratios were also found at WS. Observed trends in POC, PMn/PTi, and PFe/PTi clearly support a hydrothermal component to the descending flux at the plume-swept WS site (no descending data was recovered at OAS) but not at the background ES site. Alternative explanations for ascending particle data are discussed. First-order calculations for the organic carbon input (5–22 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) required to sustain observed epi-plume zooplankton anomalies at Endeavour are comparable both to measured total POC flux to epi-plume depths (2–5 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹: combined hydrothermal and surface derived organic carbon) and to estimates of the total potential in situ organic carbon production (2–9 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) from microbial oxidation of hydrothermal plume H₂, CH₄ and NH₄⁺.     

Dry atmospheric deposition and diazotrophy as sources of new nitrogen to northwestern Mediterranean oligotrophic surface waters

Atmospheric dry deposition of nitrogen (N) and dinitrogen (N₂) fixation rates were assessed in 2004 at the time-series DYFAMED station (northwestern Mediterranean, 43°25′N, 7°52′E). The atmospheric input was monitored over the whole year. Dinitrogen fixation was measured during different seasonal trophic states (from mesotrophy to oligotrophy) sampled during nine cruises. The bioavailability of atmospherically deposited nutrients was estimated by apparent solubility after 96 h. The solubility of dry atmospheric N deposition was highly variable (from ∼18% to more than 96% of total N). New N supplied to surface waters by the dry atmospheric deposition was mainly nitrate (NO₃⁻) (∼57% of total N, compared to ∼6% released as ammonium (NH₄⁺)). The mean bioavailable dry flux of total N was estimated to be ∼112 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹ over the whole year. The NO₃⁻ contribution (70 μmol NO₃⁻ m⁻² d⁻¹) was much higher than the NH₄⁺ contribution (1.2 μmol NH₄⁺ m⁻² d⁻¹). The N:P ratios in the bioavailable fraction of atmospheric inputs (122.5–1340) were always much higher than the Redfield N:P ratio (16). Insoluble N in atmospheric dry deposition (referred to as “organic” and believed to be strongly related to anthropogenic emissions) was ∼40 μmol m⁻² d⁻¹. N₂ fixation rates ranged from 2 to 7.5 nmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹. The highest values were found in August, during the oligotrophic period (7.5 nmol L⁻¹ at 10 m depth), and in April, during the productive period (4 nmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹ at 10 m depth). Daily integrated values of N₂ fixation ranged from 22 to 100 μmol N m⁻² d⁻¹, with a maximum of 245 μmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ in August. No relationship was found between the availability of phosphorus or iron and the observed temporal variability of N₂ fixation rates. The atmospheric dry deposition and N₂ fixation represented 0.5–6% and 1–20% of the total biological nitrogen demand, respectively. Their contribution to new production was more significant: 1–28% and 2–55% for atmospheric dry deposition and N₂ fixation, respectively. The dry atmospheric input was particularly significant in conditions of water column stratification (16–28% of new production), while N₂ fixation reached its highest values in June (46% of new production) and in August (55%).     

High-frequency fluxes of labile compounds in the central Ligurian Sea,northwestern Mediterranean

Sinking particles were collected every 4 h with drifting sediment traps deployed at 200 m depth in May 1995 in a 1-D vertical system during the DYNAPROC observations in the northwestern Mediterranean sea. POC, proteins, glucosamine and lipid classes were used as indicators of the intensity and quality of the particle flux. The roles of day/night cycle and wind on the particle flux were examined. The transient regime of production from late spring bloom to pre-oligotrophy determined the flux intensity and quality. POC fluxes decreased from, on average, 34 to 11 mg m⁻² d⁻¹, representing 6–14% of the primary production under late spring bloom conditions to 1–2% under pre-oligotrophic conditions. Total protein and chloroplast lipid fluxes correlated with POC and reflected the input of algal biomass into the traps. As the season proceeded, changes in the biochemical composition of the exported material were observed. The C/N ratio rose from 7.8 to 12. Increases of serine (10–28% of total proteins), total lipids (7–9 to 14–28% of POC) and reserve lipids (1–5 to 5–22% of total lipids) were noticeable, whereas total protein content in POC decreased (20–27 to 18–7%). N-acetyl glucosamine, a tracer of fecal pellet flux, showed that zooplankton grazing was a major vector of downward export during the decaying bloom. Against this background pattern, episodic events specifically increased the flux, modifying the quality and the settling velocity of particles. Day/night signals in biotracers (POC, N-acetyl glucosamine, protein and chloroplast lipids) showed that zooplankton migrations were responsible for sedimentation of fresh material through fast sinking particles (V=170–180 m d⁻¹) at night. Periodic signatures of re-processed material (high lipolysis and bacterial biomass indices) suggested that other zooplankton fecal pellets or small aggregates, probably of lower settling velocities (V<170 m d⁻¹), contributed to the flux during calm periods. At the beginning of the experiment, during the development of a prymnesiophyte bloom in the upper layers, the sterol signal with no periodicity enabled us to estimate high particle settling velocities (⩾600 m d⁻¹) likely related to large aggregate formation. A wind event increased biotracer fluxes (POC, protein, chloroplast lipids). The rapid transmission of surface signals through extremely fast sinking particles could be a general feature of particle fluxes in marine areas unaffected by horizontal advection.     

Three-year assessment of particulate organic carbon fluxes in Amundsen Gulf (Beaufort Sea): Satellite observations and sediment trap measurements

Surface concentrations and vertical fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) were assessed in the Amundsen Gulf (southeastern Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean) over the years 2004 to 2006 by using ocean color remote-sensing imagery and sequential sediment traps moored over the ca. 400 m isobath. Environmental conditions (sea ice, wind) and oceanographic variables (temperature, salinity, fluorescence and currents) were investigated to explain the variability of POC data. Annual downward POC fluxes in 2004, 2005 and 2006 cumulated, respectively, to 3.3, 4.2 and 6.0 g C m^?2 yr^?1 at ～100 m depth, and to 1.3, 2.2 and 3.3 g C m^?2 yr^?1 at ～210 m depth. The fraction of settling POC attributable to autochthonous processes occurring at or next to ice break-up was estimated to be 75–84% of the 100 m annual fluxes and to be 61–75% of the 210 m fluxes. Over the three ice-reduced seasons, distinct scenarios between ice conditions, surface POC pools and vertical POC export at 100 m were identified: (1) in 2004, despite a normal ice break-up, a weak primary production was measured and low vertical fluxes were collected as old ice moved across the region; (2) in 2005, a lengthened ice-free period allowed an extended season of surface POC production near-shore, while an intermediate increase of vertical fluxes was recorded offshore; and (3) in 2006, a late ice melt gave rise to a pulsed ice edge bloom and to large vertical fluxes also associated with extra ice-flushed material. Linear regressions of vertical POC fluxes against satellite-derived surface POC concentrations suggested that the pelagic POC retention in the upper 100 m of the Amundsen Gulf ranged from ca. 70% to 90% depending on the timing of ice cover melt. Regardless of the inter-annual variability, the estimated fraction of the surface POC reservoir reaching the 210 m water depth was reduced to ～5%. Therefore, as the Arctic Ocean warms up, our results support the expectation that the increasing extent of the seasonal ice zone will promote the POC pathways that benefit pelagic webs rather than benthic communities.     

Time-series observation of POC fluxes estimated from 234Th in the northwestern North Pacific

Time-series measurements of ²³⁴Th activities and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were made at time-series stations (K1, K2, K3, and KNOT) in the northwestern North Pacific from October 2002 to August 2004. Seasonal changes in POC export fluxes from the surface layer (∼100 m) were estimated using ²³⁴Th as a tracer. POC fluxes varied seasonally from approximately 0 to 180 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ and were higher in spring–summer than in autumn–winter. The export ratio (e-ratio) ranged from 6% to 55% and was also higher in spring–summer. Annual POC fluxes were estimated to be 31 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in the subarctic region (station K2) and 23 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in the region between the subarctic and subtropical gyres (station K3). POC fluxes and e-ratios in the northwestern North Pacific were much higher than those in most other oceans. The annual POC flux corresponded to 69% of annual new production estimated from the seasonal difference of the nutrient in the Western Subarctic Gyre (45 g C m⁻² y⁻¹). These results indicate that much of the organic carbon assimilated in the surface layer of the northwestern North Pacific is transferred to the deep ocean in particulate form. Our conclusions support previous reports that diatoms play an important role in the biological pump.     

Diapycnal nutrient fluxes on the northern boundary of Cape Ghir upwelling region

In this study we estimate diffusive nutrient fluxes in the northern region of Cape Ghir upwelling system (Northwest Africa) during autumn 2010. The contribution of two co-existing vertical mixing processes (turbulence and salt fingers) is estimated through micro- and fine-structure scale observations. The boundary between coastal upwelling and open ocean waters becomes apparent when nitrate is used as a tracer. Below the mixed layer (56.15±15.56 m), the water column is favorable to the occurrence of a salt finger regime. Vertical eddy diffusivity for salt (K_s) at the reference layer (57.86±8.51 m, CI 95%) was 3×10⁻⁵ (±1.89×10⁻⁹, CI 95%) m² s⁻¹. Average diapycnal fluxes indicate that there was a deficit in phosphate supply to the surface layer (6.61×10⁻⁴ mmol m⁻² d⁻¹), while these fluxes were 0.09 and 0.03 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ for nitrate and silicate, respectively. There is a need to conduct more studies to obtain accurate estimations of vertical eddy diffusivity and nutrient supply in complex transitional zones, like Cape Ghir. This will provide us with information about salt and nutrients exchange in onshore–offshore zones.     

Organic matter budget in the Southeast Atlantic continental margin close to the Congo Canyon: In situ measurements of sediment oxygen consumption

A study of organic carbon mineralization from the Congo continental shelf to the abyssal plain through the Congo submarine channel and Angola Margin was undertaken using in situ measurements of sediment oxygen demand as a tracer of benthic carbon recycling. Two measurement techniques were coupled on a single autonomous platform: in situ benthic chambers and microelectrodes, which provided total and diffusive oxygen uptake as well as oxygen microdistributions in porewaters. In addition, sediment trap fluxes, sediment composition (Org-C, Tot-N, CaCO₃, porosity) and radionuclide profiles provided measurements of, respectively input fluxes and burial rate of organic and inorganic compounds.The in situ results show that the oxygen consumption on this margin close to the Congo River is high with values of total oxygen uptake (TOU) of 4±0.6, 3.6±0.5 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ at 1300 and 3100 m depth, respectively, and between 1.9±0.3 and 2.4±0.2 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ at 4000 m depth. Diffusive oxygen uptakes (DOU) were 2.8±1.1, 2.3±0.8, 0.8±0.3 and 1.2±0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively at the same depths. The magnitude of the oxygen demands on the slope is correlated with water depth but is not correlated with the proximity of the submarine channel–levee system, which indicates that cross-slope transport processes are active over the entire margin. Comparison of the vertical flux of organic carbon with its mineralization and burial reveal that this lateral input is very important since the sum of recycling and burial in the sediments is 5–8 times larger than the vertical flux recorded in traps.Transfer of material from the Congo River occurs through turbidity currents channelled in the Congo valley, which are subsequently deposited in the Lobe zone in the Congo fan below 4800 m. Ship board measurements of oxygen profiles indicate large mineralization rates of organic carbon in this zone, which agrees with the high organic carbon content (3%) and the large sedimentation rate (19 mm y⁻¹) found on this site. The Lobe region could receive as high as 19 mol C m⁻² y⁻¹, 1/3 being mineralized and 2/3 being buried and could constitute the largest depocenter of organic carbon in the South Atlantic.