Total organic and inorganic carbon exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar in September 1997

The total organic carbon (TOC) and total inorganic carbon (C_T) exchange between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea was studied in the Strait of Gibraltar in September 1997. Samples were taken at eight stations from western and eastern entrances of the Strait and at the middle of the Strait (Tarifa Narrows). TOC was analyzed by a high-temperature catalytic oxidation method, and C_T was calculated from alkalinity–pH_T pairs and appropriate thermodynamic relationships. The results are used in a two-layer model of water mass exchange through the Strait, which includes the Atlantic inflow, the Mediterranean outflow and the interface layer in between. Our observations show a decrease of TOC and an increase of C_T concentrations from the surface to the bottom: 71–132 μM C and 2068–2150 μmol kg⁻¹ in the Surface Atlantic Water, 74–95 μM C and 2119–2148 μmol kg⁻¹ in the North Atlantic Central Water, 63–116 μM C and 2123–2312 μmol kg⁻¹ in the interface layer, and 61–78 μM C and 2307–2325 μmol kg⁻¹ in the Mediterranean waters. However, within the Mediterranean outflow, we found that the concentrations of carbon were higher at the western side of the Strait (75–78 μM C, 2068–2318 μmol kg⁻¹) than at the eastern side (61–69 μM C, 2082–2324 μmol kg⁻¹). This difference is due to the mixing between the Atlantic inflow and the Mediterranean outflow on the west of the Strait, which results in a flux of organic carbon from the inflow to the outflow and an opposite flux of inorganic carbon. We estimate that the TOC input from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar varies from (0.97±0.8)10⁴ to (1.81±0.90)10⁴ mol C s⁻¹ (0.3×10¹² to 0.56×10¹² mol C yr⁻¹), while outflow of inorganic carbon ranges from (12.5±0.4)10⁴ to (15.6±0.4)10⁴ mol C s⁻¹ (3.99–4.90×10¹² mol C yr⁻¹). The high variability of carbon exchange within the Strait is due to the variability of vertical mixing between inflow and outflow along the Strait. The prevalence of organic carbon inflow and inorganic carbon outflow shows the Mediterranean Sea to be a basin of active remineralization of organic material.     

Iron and mixing affect biological carbon uptake in SOIREE and EisenEx,two Southern Ocean iron fertilisation experiments

This study explores the changes in the surface water fugacity of carbon dioxide (fCO₂) and biological carbon uptake in two Southern Ocean iron fertilisation experiments with different hydrographic regimes. The Southern Ocean Iron Release Experiment (SOIREE) experiment was carried out south of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) at 61°S, 141°E in February 1999 in a stable hydrographic setting. The EisenEx experiment was conducted in a cyclonic eddy north of the APF at 48°S, 21°E in November 2000 and was characterised by a rapid succession of low to storm-force wind speeds and dynamic hydrographic conditions. The iron additions promoted algal blooms in both studies. They alleviated algal iron limitation during the 13-day SOIREE experiment and probably during the first 12 days of EisenEx. The fCO₂ in surface water decreased at a constant rate of 3.8 μatm day⁻¹ from 4 to 5 days onwards in SOIREE. The fCO₂ reduction was 35 μatm after 13 days. The evolution of surface water fCO₂ in the iron-enriched waters (or ‘patch’) displayed a saw tooth pattern in EisenEx, in response to algal carbon uptake in calm conditions and deep mixing and horizontal dispersion during storms. The maximum fCO₂ reduction was 18–20 μatm after 12 and 21 days with lower values in between. The iron-enriched waters in EisenEx absorbed four times more atmospheric CO₂ than in SOIREE between 5 and 12 days, as a result of stronger winds. The total biological uptake of inorganic carbon across the patch was 1389 ton C (±10%) in SOIREE and 1433 ton C (±27%) in EisenEx after 12 days (1 ton=10⁶ g). This similarity probably reflects the comparable size of the iron additions, as well as algal growth at a similar near-maximum growth rate in these regions. The findings imply that the different mixing regimes had less effect on the overall biological carbon uptake across the iron-enriched waters than suggested by the evolution of fCO₂ in surface water.     

Inorganic carbon in the Labrador Sea: Estimation of the anthropogenic component

The intermediate and deep waters of the Labrador Sea are dominated by recently ventilated water masses (ventilation ages <20 yr). Atmospheric gases such as CO₂ and chlorofluorocarbons are incorporated into these water masses at the time of formation and subsequently transported via boundary currents into the North Atlantic interior. Recent measurements of total carbonate were used in tandem with total alkalinity and oxygen to estimate the levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the Labrador Sea region. Upper water column anthropogenic CO₂ estimated in this manner showed good agreement with levels calculated from CO₂ increase in the atmosphere. In spring 1997, anthropogenic contributions to total carbonate (CTant) were 40±3 μmol/kg in water penetrated by deep convection the previous winter and slightly lower (37±2 μmol/kg) in the deeper convective layer formed in the winters of 1992–1994. Consistent with the concurrent profiles of CFC-11, levels decrease into the older NEADW (North East Atlantic Deep Water) with levels of 30±3 μmol/kg and then increase near bottom within the layer of DSOW (Denmark Strait Overflow Water). The distribution of CTant shows the flow of new LSW southwards with the western boundary current and also eastwards into the Irminger Sea. We estimate that 0.15–0.35 Gt carbon of anthropogenic origin flow through the Labrador Sea within the Western Boundary Undercurrent per year.     

Respiration,mineralization, and biochemical properties of the particulate matter in the southern Nansen Basin water column in April 1981

Determinations of the activity of the respiratory electron transport system (ETS), during the FRAM III expedition permit us to estimate oxygen utilization rates (R_O2) from the surface to 2000 m under the polar pack ice in the Nansen Basin just north of Svalbard (83°N, 7°E) during April 1981. We found R_O2 at in situ temperatures ranging from 20 pM O₂ min⁻¹ just below the ice to 0.2 pM O₂ min⁻¹ at 2000 m. These rates are low compared to most other ocean regions, but they could decrease particulate organic carbon and nitrogen by 76% and 74%, respectively, over a period of ∼6 months. The R_O2 calculations based on measurements made at 0 °C yielded a power function of R_O2 vs. depth (Z) of R_O2=67Z^−0.5534. When this R_O2 profile was superimposed on a more recent oxygen utilization rate profile made using the ³He–³H–AOU method (OUR), in the same vicinity of the Nansen Basin during 1987 (OUR=52Z^–0.4058, [Zheng, Y., Schlosser, P., Swift, J.W., Jones, E.P., 1997. Oxygen utilization rates in the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for new production. Deep Sea Research I 44, 1923–1943]), the agreement of the two profiles was close. On one hand, this was to be expected because R_O2 is the biological basis of OUR, on the other hand, it was a surprise because the methodologies are so different. Nitrate mineralization obtained from ETS activities also compared favorably with calculations based on the data of Zheng et al. [1997. Oxygen utilization rates in the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for new production. Deep Sea Research I 44, 1923–1943]. Chlorophyll ranged from 6 ng L⁻¹ at 5 m to 0.06 ng L⁻¹ at 2000 m. Particulate organic carbon (POC) decreased from 0.93 μM C just below the ice to less than 0.4 μM C at 500 m. Particulate organic nitrogen (PON) was not detectable below 70 m, however in the upper 70 m it ranged from 0.16 to 0.04 μM N. The C/N mass ratio over these depths ranged from 5.8 to 11.3. Annual carbon productivity as calculated to balance the total water column respiration was 27 g C m⁻² y⁻¹. The integrated respiration rate between 50 and 4000 m suggests that exported production and carbon flux from the 50 m level was 24 g C m⁻² y⁻¹. These are minimal estimates for the southern Nansen Basin because they are based on measurements made at the end of the Arctic winter.     

Photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic Waters

Photochemical production rates of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were determined in Antarctic waters during two research cruises. The first cruise was from mid-October to mid-November, 1993, in the confluence of the Weddell and Scotia Seas, and the second cruise was in December, 1994, along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. During these cruises, midday sea-surface production rates ranged from 2.1 to 9.6 nM h⁻¹, with an average rate of 4.5 nM h⁻¹. Production rates were consistently smaller than rates determined at lower latitudes (>9 nM h⁻¹), primarily due to the colder temperatures and lower ultraviolet irradiances in polar waters. In situ production rates were determined with a free-floating drifter that was deployed for 12–14 h. Production rates, averaged over the deployment time, were highest at or near the surface (ca. 2.4–3.5 nM h⁻¹) and decreased rapidly with depth to 0.1–0.7 nM h⁻¹ at 10–20 m. The decrease in production rates with depth generally paralleled the decrease in ultraviolet irradiance in the water column. Production rates of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic seawater were largely controlled by the ultraviolet irradiance in the water column, although there was some evidence for production in the blue region of the solar spectrum. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the wavelength dependence of the apparent quantum yield for the photochemical formation of hydrogen peroxide in Antarctic waters. Apparent quantum yields determined at 0°C decreased from 0.74×10⁻³ mol einstein⁻¹ at 290 nm to 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol einstein⁻¹ 410 nm. At 20°C, apparent quantum yields for the photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide were within a factor of two of apparent quantum yields determined in temperate waters at 20–25°C. Sunlight-normalized H₂O₂ production rates were determined as a function of wavelength using noontime irradiance data from Palmer Station, Antarctica. A decrease in stratospheric ozone from 336 to 151 Dobson units resulted in a predicted 19–42% increase in the photoproduction of H₂O₂ at the sea surface in Antarctic waters. The magnitude of this increase depends on the concentration and absorbance characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the photic zone, as well as on other factors such as cloudiness and decreasing solar zenith angle that tend to lower photochemical rates offsetting increases due to stratospheric ozone depletion.     

Thermocline ventilation and oxygen utilization rates in the subtropical North Pacific based on CFC distributions during WOCE

Thermocline ventilation rates for the subtropical North Pacific are determined using a 1-dimensional (meridional) along-isopycnal advective–diffusive model tuned to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) concentrations measured along 152°W in 1991 during WOCE P16. Mean southward advection rates in the subtropics range from 1.03 to 0.56 cm s^-1 between σ_θ=25.5 and 26.6. Model-derived ventilation times for the subtropical gyre increase from about 10 to 27 years for that isopycnal range. Oxygen utilization rates (OURs) determined using the advective-diffusive model decrease with depth from 6.6 to 3.2 μmol kg^-1 yr^-1 between σ_θ=25.5 and 26.6. Extrapolation of the OUR versus depth trend to the base of the euphotic zone with the 1/Z power function of Martin et al. (1987) and integration from 500 to 100 m depth implies a carbon export rate from the overlying euphotic zone of 2.2±0.5 moles C m^-2 yr^-1 at 30°N, 152°W. Analysis of the WOCE radiocarbon and salinity distributions indicates that zonal and cross-isopycnal transport terms would have to be considered in modeling these tracers in the subtropical North Pacific.     

Diurnal changes of photosynthetic quantum yield in the intertidal macroalga Sargassum thunbergii under simulated tidal emersion conditions

In this study, a three-way factorial experimental design was used to investigate the diurnal changes of photosynthetic activity of the intertidal macroalga Sargassum thunbergii in response to temperature, tidal pattern and desiccation during a simulated diurnal light cycle. The maximum (F_v/F_m) and effective (Φ_PSII) quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) were estimated by chlorophyll fluorescence using a pulse amplitude modulated fluorometer. Results showed that this species exhibited sun-adapted characteristics, as evidenced by the daily variation of F_v/F_m and Φ_PSII. Both yield values decreased with increasing irradiance towards noon and recovered rapidly in the afternoon suggesting a dynamic photoinhibition. The photosynthetic quantum yield of S. thunbergii thalli varied significantly with temperature, tidal pattern and desiccation. Thalli were more susceptible to light-induced damage at high temperature of 25 °C and showed complete recovery of photosynthetic activity only when exposed to 8 °C. In contrast with the mid-morning low tide period, although there was an initial increase in photosynthetic yield during emersion, thalli showed a greater degree of decline at the end of emersion and remained less able to recover when low tide occurred at mid-afternoon. Short-term air exposure of 2 h did not significantly influence the photosynthesis. However, when exposed to moderate conditions (4 h desiccation at 15 °C or 6 h desiccation at 8 °C), a significant inhibition of photosynthesis was followed by partial or complete recovery upon re-immersion in late afternoon. Only extreme conditions (4 h desiccation at 25 °C or 6 h desiccation at 15 °C or 25 °C) resulted in the complete inhibition, with little indication of recovery until the following morning, implying the occurrence of chronic PSII damage. Based on the magnitude of effect, desiccation was the predominant negative factor affecting the photosynthesis under the simulated daytime irradiance period. These results may explain the distribution pattern of this species in natural habitats, where it is generally restricted to tide pools in the intertidal zone of wave-swept rocky shores which could provide shelter from desiccation stress during low tide.     

Increase in anthropogenic CO2 in the Atlantic Ocean in the last two decades

Data from the first systematic survey of inorganic carbon parameters on a global scale, the GEOSECS program, are compared with those collected during WOCE/JGOFS to study the changes in carbon and other geochemical properties, and anthropogenic CO₂ increase in the Atlantic Ocean from the 1970s to the early 1990s. This first data-based estimate of CO₂ increase over this period was accomplished by adjusting the GEOSECS data set to be consistent with recent high-quality carbon data. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and extended Multiple Linear Regression (eMLR) analyses to these carbon data are applied by regressing DIC with potential temperature, salinity, AOU, silica, and PO₄ in three latitudinal regions for the western and eastern basins in the Atlantic Ocean. The results from MLR (and eMLR provided in parentheses) indicate that the mean anthropogenic CO₂ uptake rate in the western basin is 0.70 (0.53) mol m^?2 yr^?1 for the region north of 15°N; 0.53 (0.36) mol m^?2 yr^?1 for the equatorial region between 15°N and 15°S; and 0.83 (0.35) mol m^?2 yr^?1 in the South Atlantic south of 15°S. For the eastern basin an estimate of 0.57 (0.45) mol m^?2 yr^?1 is obtained for the equatorial region, and 0.28 (0.34) mol m^?2 yr^?1 for the South Atlantic south of 15°S. The results of using eMLR are systematically lower than those from MLR method in the western basin. The anthropogenic CO₂ increase is also estimated in the upper thermocline from salinity normalized DIC after correction for AOU along the isopycnal surfaces. For these depths the results are consistent with the CO₂ uptake rates derived from both MLR and eMLR methods.     

Volume transport and distribution of deep circulation at 165°W in the North Pacific

We conducted full-depth hydrographic observations between 8°50′ and 44°30′N at 165°W in 2003 and analyzed the data together with those from the World Ocean Circulation Experiment and the World Ocean Database, clarifying the water characteristics and deep circulation in the Central and Northeast Pacific Basins. The deep-water characteristics at depths greater than approximately 2000 dbar at 165°W differ among three regions demarcated by the Hawaiian Ridge at around 24°N and the Mendocino Fracture Zone at 37°N: the southern region (10–24°N), central region (24–37°N), and northern region (north of 37°N). Deep water at temperatures below 1.15 °C and depths greater than 4000 dbar is highly stratified in the southern region, weakly stratified in the central region, and largely uniform in the northern region. Among the three regions, near-bottom water immediately east of Clarion Passage in the southern region is coldest (θ<0.90 °C), most saline (S>34.70), highest in dissolved oxygen (O₂>4.2 ml l^?1), and lowest in silica (Si<135 μmol kg^?1). These characteristics of the deep water reflect transport of Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) due to a branch current south of the Wake–Necker Ridge that is separated from the eastern branch current of the deep circulation immediately north of 10°N in the Central Pacific Basin. The branch current south of the Wake–Necker Ridge carries LCDW of θ<1.05 °C with a volume transport of 3.7 Sv (1 Sv=10⁶ m³ s^?1) into the Northeast Pacific Basin through Horizon and Clarion Passages, mainly through the latter (～3.1 Sv). A small amount of the LCDW flows northward at the western boundary of the Northeast Pacific Basin, joins the branch of deep circulation from the Main Gap of the Emperor Seamounts Chain, and forms an eastward current along the Mendocino Fracture Zone with volume transport of nearly 1 Sv. If this volume transport is typical, a major portion of the LCDW (～3 Sv) carried by the branch current south of the Wake–Necker and Hawaiian Ridges may spread in the southern part of the Northeast Pacific Basin. In the northern region at 165°W, silica maxima are found near the bottom and at 2200 dbar; the minimum between the double maxima occurs at a depth of approximately 4000 dbar (θ～1.15 °C). The geostrophic current north of 39°N in the upper deep layer between 1.15 and 2.2 °C, with reference to the 1.15 °C isotherm, has a westward volume transport of 1.6 Sv at 39–44°30′N, carrying silica-rich North Pacific Deep Water from the northeastern region of the Northeast Pacific Basin to the Northwest Pacific Basin.     

High short-term variability of CO2 fluxes during an upwelling event off the Chilean coast at 30°S

pH and alkalinity measurements from a coastal upwelling area located near 30°S (Coquimbo, Chile), are used to describe the short-term variations of CO₂ air–sea exchanges over a period of one week in summer 1996. A 180 km ocean–coastal transect, together with two almost-synoptic grid surveys off Coquimbo covering approximate 2500 km² each, showed that during and immediately after a 4 day long southwesterly wind event (24–28 January) a large area of cold surface water (≈14°C), highly supersaturated in CO₂ (fCO₂ up to 900 μatm), was located near the coast. Three days after the end of the event, the second grid survey showed that in most of the study area the surface temperature and pH had increased significantly (by 1–3°C and 0.05–0.2, respectively), and that the surface water was no longer supersaturated in CO₂. The CO₂-supersaturated water observed in the first grid survey was identified as upwelled subsurface equatorial water, a water mass with its core at about 200 m depth: the depth from which the water upwells is a major determinant of the surface water fCO₂. Integrated C fluxes within a 20 km wide coastal strip (1900 km²) indicate a strong outgassing of CO₂ from the ocean under upwelling conditions (Grid 1; 121 t C day^-1), while the net C exchange was directed to the ocean during the relaxation period (Grid 2; 19 t C day^-1). Estimates of CO₂ fluxes in upwelling areas based on surface water fCO₂ measurements must therefore take into account these short-term variations: reliance on longer-term averages and interpolation will lead to erroneous results.     

A suspended-particle rosette multi-sampler for discrete biogeochemical sampling in low-particle-density waters

To enable detailed investigations of early stage hydrothermal plume formation and abiotic and biotic plume processes we developed a new oceanographic tool. The Suspended Particulate Rosette sampling system has been designed to collect geochemical and microbial samples from the rising portion of deep-sea hydrothermal plumes. It can be deployed on a remotely operated vehicle for sampling rising plumes, on a wire-deployed water rosette for spatially discrete sampling of non-buoyant hydrothermal plumes, or on a fixed mooring in a hydrothermal vent field for time series sampling. It has performed successfully during both its first mooring deployment at the East Pacific Rise and its first remotely-operated vehicle deployments along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is currently capable of rapidly filtering 24 discrete large-water-volume samples (30–100 L per sample) for suspended particles during a single deployment (e.g. >90 L per sample at 4–7 L per minute through 1 μm pore diameter polycarbonate filters). The Suspended Particulate Rosette sampler has been designed with a long-term goal of seafloor observatory deployments, where it can be used to collect samples in response to tectonic or other events. It is compatible with in situ optical sensors, such as laser Raman or visible reflectance spectroscopy systems, enabling in situ particle analysis immediately after sample collection and before the particles alter or degrade.     

The relationship between dissolved hydrogen and nitrogen fixation in ocean waters

Fixed nitrogen is a key nutrient involved in regulating global marine productivity and hence the global oceanic carbon cycle. Oceanic nitrogen (N₂) fixation is estimated to supply 8×10¹² moles N y^?1 to the ocean, approximately equal to current riverine and the atmospheric inputs of fixed N, and between 50 and 100% of current estimates of oceanic denitrification. However, the spatial and temporal variability of N₂ fixation remains uncertain, mostly because of the normal low resolution sampling for diazotroph distribution and fixation rates. It is well established that N₂ fixation, mediated by the enzyme nitrogenase, is a source of hydrogen (H₂), but the extent to which it leads to supersaturation of H₂ in oceanic waters is unresolved. Here, we present simultaneous measurements of upper ocean dissolved H₂ concentration (nmol L^?1), and rates of N₂ fixation (μmol N m^?3 d^?1), determined using ¹⁵N₂ tracer techniques (at 7 or 15 m), on a transect from Fiji to Hawaii. We find a significant correlation (r=0.98) between dissolved H₂ and rates of N₂ fixation, with the greatest supersaturation of H₂ and highest rates of N₂ fixation being observed in the subtropical gyres at the southern (～18°S) and northern (18°N) reaches of the transect. The lowest H₂ saturation and N₂ fixation were observed in the equatorial region between 8°S and 14°N. We propose that an empirical relationship between H₂ supersaturations and N₂ fixation measurements could be used to guide sampling for ¹⁵N fixation measurements or to aid the spatial interpolation of such measurements.     

Interannual variability of Si and N cycles at the time-series station KERFIX between 1990 and 1995 – a 1-D modelling study

Interannual variability of nutrients and plankton cycles were studied at the time-series station KERFIX (50°40′S, 68°25′E) using a 1-D coupled physical-biogeochemical model that is descended from that of Pondaven et al. (1998). At KERFIX, a high half saturation constant for silicic acid uptake (K_Si) and a high Si/N uptake ratio are required to reproduce the Si and N cycles. Although very high in comparison with most data from temperate systems, these values are consistent with K_Si and Si/N uptake ratios measured in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Past and recent finding on the role of light and iron limitation on nutrient consumption ratios might explain these “unusual” silicon uptake kinetic parameters. Comparison of model results with observations show that the model correctly reproduces the observed interannual variability of nutrients and plankton cycles at KERFIX between 1992 and 1995. Characteristic features of this region are a spring phytoplankton bloom of 1.0–1.5 mg Chlorophyll a m⁻³ and a net excess of silicic acid utilisation over that of nitrate. This high silicic acid utilisation leads to low Si concentrations in late summer and subsequent Si limitation of diatom growth. The interannual variability of production of silicon and nitrogen predicted by the model is 1.93±0.04 mol Si m⁻² yr⁻¹ and 1.35±0.07 mol N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (±SD). In parallel, the predicted export is 1.12±0.04 mol Si m⁻² yr⁻¹ and 0.06±0.01 mol N m⁻² yr⁻¹. It is shown that diatoms may contribute significantly to export if diatom sinking is taken into account. An interannual variability of the predicted Si and N cycles is detected. This variability is associated with changes in the mixed layer properties, which have been documented to be linked to the Pacific El Niño Southern Oscillation or displacement of the Polar Front.     

CHEMINI: A new in situ CHEmical MINIaturized analyzer

“CHEMINI” is a new instrument developed for the measurement of seawater chemical parameters. It is a mono-parameter in situ chemical analyzer based on flow injection analysis and colorimetric detection. The deep-sea version of CHEMINI combines two modules to perform the analysis of dissolved iron [Fe (II) or Fe (II+III)] and total sulphide (H₂S+HS^?+S^2?) up to 6000 m depth. Detection limits are, respectively, 0.3 and 0.1 μM for iron and sulphide. The system proved highly reliable during the MoMARETO cruise on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The two CHEMINIs were used to describe the chemical environment in 12 mussel beds on the Tour Eiffel hydrothermal edifice.     

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.     

Interhemispheric exchanges of mass and heat in the Atlantic Ocean in January–March 1993

Hydrographic, geochemical, and direct velocity measurements along two zonal (7.5°N and 4.5°S) and two meridional (35°W and 4°W) lines occupied in January–March, 1993 in the Atlantic are combined in an inverse model to estimate the circulation. At 4.5°S, the Warm Water (potential temperature θ>4.5°C) originating from the South Atlantic enters the equatorial Atlantic, principally at the western boundary, in the thermocline-intensified North Brazil Undercurrent (33±2.7×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ northward) and in the surface-intensified South Equatorial Current (8×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ northward) located to the east of the North Brazil Undercurrent. The Ekman transport at 4.5°S is southward (10.7±1.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹). At 7.5°N, the Western Boundary Current (WBC) (17.9±2×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) is weaker than at 4.5°S, and the northward flow of Warm Water in the WBC is complemented by the basin-wide Ekman flow (12.3±1.0×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹), the net contribution of the geostrophic interior flow of Warm Water being southward. The equatorial Ekman divergence drives a conversion of Thermocline Water (24.58⩽σ₀<26.75) into Surface Water (σ₀<24.58) of 7.5±0.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹, mostly occurring west of 35°W. The Deep Water of northern origin flows southward at 7.5°N in an energetic (48±3×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), whose transport is in part compensated by a northward recirculation (21±4.5×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) in the Guiana Basin. At 4.5°S, the DWBC is much less energetic (27±7×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ southward) than at 7.5°N. It is in part balanced by a deep northward recirculation east of which alternate circulation patterns suggest the existence of an anticyclonic gyre in the central Brazil Basin and a cyclonic gyre further east. The deep equatorial Atlantic is characterized by a convergence of Lower Deep Water (45.90⩽σ₄<45.83), which creates an upward diapycnal transport of 11.0×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ across σ₄=45.83. The amplitude of this diapycnal transport is quite sensitive to the a priori hypotheses made in the inverse model. The amplitude of the meridional overturning cell is estimated to be 22×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ at 7.5°N and 24×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹ at 4.5°S. Northward heat transports are in the range 1.26–1.50 PW at 7.5°N and 0.97–1.29 PW at 4.5°S with best estimates of 1.35 and 1.09 PW.     

The role of crabs (Macrophthalmus japonicus) burrows on organic carbon cycle in estuarine tidal flat,Japan

The objective of this study is to elucidate the burrow structure and to clarify the role of burrows in material cycle in the tidal flat. In our work, we focused on the dominant species in muddy tidal flat, crab Macrophthalmus japonicus.Burrow structure of Macrophthalmus japonicus was investigated on a Katsuura river tidal flat in Tokushima prefecture, Japan, using in situ resin casting. Sampling was conducted in August 2006, and a total of 48 burrow casts were obtained. Burrows consisted mainly of J-shaped structures (98%) while the rest belonged to U-shaped structures (2%). The maximum measured burrow volume was 120 cm³ and wall surface area was 224 cm², while maximum burrow length and depth were 23.2 cm and 16.5 cm, respectively. Burrow volume and surface area were strongly correlated with carapace width of M. japonicus. Investigation of the individual number of M. japonicus in 13 quadrats (50 × 50 × 20 cm) was conducted using 2 mm sieve. The number of M. japonicus was 15–31 ind./m². Using cohort analysis we estimated that surface area of burrows was 0.07–0.15 m²/m².CO₂ emission rate was measured at the surface sediment during the period from June to December 2008. Results varied from 13.8 ± 2.2 to 49.4 ± 3.2 mg CO₂/m²/h, and organic carbon decomposition was 3.8 ± 0.6–13.5 ± 0.9 mg C/m²/h. This leads the increase of organic carbon decomposition by 1.1 times, because of the expansion of the tidal flat surface area by burrowing activity. Organic carbon decomposition in burrow walls therefore contributed to organic matter decomposition in the tidal flat. These results indicated that in situ activities of Macrophthalmus japonicus significantly influence the material cycle and it is important to consider the existence of burrow in order to understand the fluxes of materials and to evaluate the purification function of the tidal flat.     

Compositional and fluorescence characteristics of the giant diatom Ethmodiscus along a 3000 km transect (28°N) in the central North Pacific gyre

The giant diatom Ethmodiscus was examined along an east–west transect at 28–30°N during 2002 and 2003 to determine if abundance, chemical composition or physiological status of this largest of diatoms varied on the scale of 100's–1000's of km in North Pacific gyre. Abundance ranged from <0.1–>2.0 cells m⁻³ and supported the notion of an abundance mosaic reported previously. However, there was only minimal support for the relationship between abundance and nutrient concentration at 125 m reported previously. Cellular chlorophyll varied little along the transect (7.3–10.9 ng chl cell⁻¹) except at the westernmost station. Cellular N and P quotas co-varied 3–4.5 fold (mean=50.8±3.7 and 3.7±0.8 nmol N and P cell⁻¹) and yielded N:P ratios that closely clustered around the Redfield ratio (average=14.6±1.1). Only low levels of chlorophyll-normalized alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity were observed (0.4–2.5 nmol P μg chl⁻¹ h⁻¹) with APase activity lower than that in either the bulk water, or co-occurring Trichodesmium spp. and Pyrocystis noctiluca. The active fluorescence parameter F_v:F_m, a property sensitive to Fe stress, was uniformly high at all stations (average=0.73±0.04 for 2003, and 0.69±0.05 for 2002), indicating sufficient Fe for optimum photosynthetic competence. These results contrasted sharply with results from Rhizosolenia mats reported along the same transect where there was a significant decline westward in F_v:F_m. Both ferredoxin (Fd) and flavodoxin accumulated in cells of Ethmodiscus, resulting in Fd Index values of<0.6. Iron cell quotas ranged from 0.7–5.1 pmol Fe cell⁻¹. When normalized to cytoplasmic volume, the Fe μm⁻³ was comparable to that of Escherichia coli. We note that the disproportionate contribution of the vacuole (with its high organic content) to total volume typical of large diatoms is a potentially significant source of error in Fe:C ratios and suggest that Fe should be normalized to cytoplasmic volume whenever possible to permit valid intercomparisons between studies. The composition, F_v:F_m data and Fe:C ratio suggest a relatively uniform population experiencing little N, P or Fe stress. The uncoupling of the Fd Index from these measures is consistent with previous findings showing that the expression of flavodoxin can be characterized as an early stress response and that its accumulation is not necessarily correlated with physiological deficit. Ethmodiscus appears to be well adapted to some of the most oligotrophic waters in the ocean. Because it is an important sedimentary marker, the biology of living Ethmodiscus provides insights into the source of extensive Ethmodiscus oozes. Mass sedimentation after frontal accumulation has been suggested as a source for these oozes. Our data contain no evidence that the flux is linked directly to Fe, N or P stress.     

Persian Gulf response to a wintertime shamal wind event

The results from a～1 km resolution HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), forced by 1/2° Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) atmospheric data, were used in order to study the dynamic response of the Persian Gulf to wintertime shamal forcing. Shamal winds are strong northwesterly winds that occur in the Persian Gulf area behind southeast moving cold fronts. The period from 20 November to 5 December 2004 included a well defined shamal event that lasted 4–5 days. In addition to strong winds (16 m s^?1) the winter shamal also brought cold dry air (T_a=20 °C, q_a=10 g kg^?1) which led to a net heat loss in excess of 1000 W m^?2 by increasing the latent heat flux. This resulted in SST cooling of up to 10 °C most notably in the northern and shallower shelf regions. A sensitivity experiment with a constant specific humidity of q_a=15 g kg^?1 confirmed that about 38% of net heat loss was due to the air–sea humidity differences. The time integral of SST cooling closely followed the air–sea heat loss, indicating an approximate one-dimensional vertical heat balance. It was found that the shamal induced convective vertical mixing provided a direct mechanism for the erosion of stratification and deepening of the mixed layer by 30 m. The strong wind not only strengthened the circulation in the entire Persian Gulf but also established a northwestward flowing Iranian Coastal Current (ICC, 25–30 cm s^?1) from the Strait of Hormuz to about 52°E, where it veered offshore. The strongest negative sea level of 25–40 cm was generated in the northernmost portion of the Gulf while the wind setup against the coast of the United Arab Emirates established a positive sea level of 15–30 cm. The transport through the Strait of Hormuz at 56.2°E indicated an enhanced outflow of 0.25 Sv (Sv≡10⁶ m³ s^?1) during 24 November followed by an equivalent inflow on the next day.     

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%).