Intraannual and long-term variations of the carbonate system of the aerobic zone in the black sea

We provide an expert quality assessment of the data for 1932–1993 and used these data to perform the numerical analysis of the carbonate system of the aerobic zone in the Black Sea. The intraannual and long-term variations of the carbonate system are studied in the abyssal part of the sea for 1960–1993. We propose explanations of the intraannual variations of the analyzed system for various layers of the aerobic zone and reveal long-term variations of the pH values, total alkalinity, and the ratios of the components of the carbonate system. We discover and explain the observed increase in the concentrations of TCO₂ and CO₂ and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO₂, as well as a decrease in pH values and the concentration of CO₃²⁻ in waters of the aerobic zone of the Black Sea.     

On the CO2O2 system in the Northeastern Pacific

The TCO₂, O₂, TA and δ¹³C data of the 1969 Geosecs Intercalibration Cruise was analyzed and found to be consistent with a vertical mixing model which assumes that each point along a vertical profile is a mixture of the upper and lower boundaries. Calculated regression coefficients are in agreement with the model of Redfield et al. (1963) and with the assumption that TA variation is due to carbonate reaction. Oxygen consumption and TCO₂ production decrease exponentially with depth and approximately 80% of ΔCO₂ can be accounted for, on average, by O₂ consumption. The remaining 20% are probably due to carbonate solution which seems to take place at depths below 2,500 m. The present study suggests that the isotopic composition (δ¹³C) of the carbon source, required to account for most of the oxygen consumed, may be heavier than the value of −23%. assigned to dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon.     

云贵高原湖泊沉积物─水界面碱度扩散通量研究

于１９９１－１９９５年间５次在云贵高原泸沽湖，洱海湖和贵州阿哈湖，百花湖的湖心采集沉积物柱芯，界面水和湖水样品，通过其ｐＨ值和ＨＣＯ３浓度剖面及界面碱度扩散通量的研究，首次定量评估高原湖泊界面扩散作用上不体碱度的影响程度，研究结果表明，云贵高原某些湖水寄宿时间对较长，湖水深度相对小的湖泊，界面扩散作用是水体碱度的重要来源之一，湖水寄宿时间较短，深度较小的湖泊，界面扩散对上覆水体的影响可以忽略不地。     

Alkalinity of sea ice in the high-latitudinal arctic according to the surveys performed at north pole drifting station 34 and characterization of the role of the arctic ice in the CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> exchange

The variability of the total alkalinity in the sea ice of the high-latitudinal Arctic from November 2005 to May 2006 is considered. For the bulk of the one- and two-year sea ice, the alkalinity dependence on the salinity is described as TA = k × Sal, where k is the salinity: alkalinity ratio in the under-ice water. The given relationship is valid within a wide salinity range from 0.1 psu in the desalinated fraction of two-year ice to 36 psu in the snow on the young ice surface. Geochemically significant deviations from the relationship noted were observed exclusively in the snow and the upper layer of one-year ice. In the upper layer of one-year ice, an alkalinity deficiency is observed (ΔTA ～ ?0.07 mequiv/kg, or ?15%). In the snow on the surface of the one-year ice, an alkalinity excess is formed under the desalination (ΔTA is as high as 1.3 mequiv/kg, 380%). The deviations registered are caused by the possibility of carbonate precipitation in the form of CaCO₃ · 6H₂O under the seawater freezing. It is shown that the ice formation and the following melting might cause a loss of the atmospheric CO₂ of up to 3 × 10¹² g C/year.     

Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Distribution of Surface Nutrients and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in the Northern North Pacific: Influence of El Niño

The seasonal and interannual changes in surface nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) were recorded in the North Pacific (30–54°N) from 1995 to 2001. This study focuses on the region north of the subarctic boundary (∼40°N) where there was extensive monthly coverage of surface properties. The nutrient cycles showed large interannual variations in the eastern and western subarctic gyres. In the Alaska Gyre the seasonal depletion of nitrate (ΔNO₃) increased from 8–14 μmol kg⁻¹ in 1995–1999 to 21.5 μmol kg⁻¹ in 2000. In the western subarctic the shifts were similar in amplitude but more frequent. The large ΔNO₃ levels were associated with high silicate depletions, indicating enhanced diatom production. The seasonal DIC:NO₃ drawdown ratios were elevated in the eastern and central subarctic due to calcification. In the western subarctic and the central Bering Sea calcification was significant only during 1997 and/or 1998, two El Ni?o years. Regional C/N stoichiometric molar ratios of 5.7 to 7.0 (>40°N) were determined based on the years with negligible or no calcification. The annual new production (NP_a) based on ΔNO₃ and these C/N ratios showed large interannual variations. NP_a was usually higher in the western than in the eastern subarctic. However, values of 84 gC m⁻²yr⁻¹ were found in the Alaska Gyre in 2000 which is similar to that in the most productive provinces of the northern North Pacific. There were also large increases in NP_a around the Alaska Peninsula in 1997 and 1998. Finally, the net removal of carbon by the biological pump was estimated as 0.72 Gt C yr⁻¹ in the North Pacific (>30°N). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Theoretical considerations about the reactions of calcification in sea water

We examine the concentration variations of the different parameters X of the carbonate system in seawater when calcium carbonate precipitation occurs. Variations are expressed as ∂[X]/∂[Ca²⁺]. Four different cases are considered: spontaneous chemical precipitation; calcification combined with photosynthetic activity under a constant ΔCT/Δ[Ca²⁺] ratio; precipitation under constant p_CO2 and precipitation under constant [Ca²⁺]·[CO₃²⁻] ionic concentration product. The last condition should be maintained by an ecosystem which, thanks to the regulation of its calcifying and photosynthetic activity, would absorb 1 mol of carbon for organic tissue each time 1 mol of CaCO₃ is formed. This stoichiometric ratio would allow the activity of these biological communities to go on in practically closed systems during periods compatible with their growth or development cycles.     

Calcium-alkalinity relationship in the North Pacific

The dissolution of calcium carbonate in deep ocean water causes variation in calcium concentration (Ca) and alkalinity (TA) in the ratio of one to two. The decomposition of organic matter generates nitric acid, phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid. A proton flux which is derived from this process also changes alkalinity. Using the variation in nitrate concentration (NO₃) as an index of the proton flux, the relationship betweenCa,TA andNO₃ is expressed asCa=0.5TA+0.63NO₃ The values of Ca obtained from direct measurements in the North Pacific are in good agreement with the values estimated from this equation.     

A new look at the alkalinity of the Sea of Japan

The most important feature of the distribution of the alkalinity and calcium in the Sea of Japan—the increase in the potential alkalinity with depth under the conditions when the waters are supersaturated in relation to calcium carbonate—is considered. It is demonstrated that this fact cannot be accounted for by the reaction of the formation-dissolution of calcium carbonate. A new concept explaining the alkalinity distribution in the sea is proposed. According to it, the biological pump is the basic process responsible for the alkalinity transport from the euphotic layer into the interior of the sea. Photosynthesis is the driving force for this process. The role of the active element transporting the alkalinity is not calcium carbonate, as has been claimed elsewhere, but extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) produced by phytoplankton. EPSs bind to calcium and other cations to form transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs). The proposed conception makes it possible to explain the following: (a) the vertical flux of calcium carbonate that is independent of the super-saturation—undersaturation state of the ambient water regarding calcium carbonate; (b) the existence of the calcium carbonate flux regardless of the nature of the plankton skeletons; (c) the nonstoichiometric ratio between the alkalinity and calcium fluxes.     

Isotopic analyses of nitrate and nitrite from reference mixtures and application to Eastern Tropical North Pacific waters

Isotopic analyses of nitrate by the denitrifier method, and indeed by many other analytical methods, do not discriminate between nitrate and nitrite. For samples containing both chemical species, accurate isotopic analysis of nitrate requires either removal of nitrite or independent isotopic analysis of nitrite and subtraction of its contribution to the mixed isotopic signal. This study evaluates the application of a variety of available analytical approaches to the isotopic analysis of mixed nitrate and nitrite solutions, with the goal of producing accurate coupled isotopic analyses of both nitrate and nitrite. These methods are tested on mixtures of standard solutions of nitrate and nitrite, and then applied to the coupled δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O analyses of nitrate and nitrite in waters of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP). Results from standard mixtures show that even for extreme values of nitrate and nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O, both nitrite removal by ascorbate and nitrite isotopic analysis and subtraction from the mixed isotopic signal yield nitrate δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values that are close to the expected values. Application of these analyses to samples from the ETNP yielded δ¹⁵N_NO3 and δ¹⁸O_NO3 values as high as 21‰ vs. AIR and 19‰ vs. VSMOW, respectively. Conversely, very low δ¹⁵N values were observed in nitrite, with values ranging from − 7.2 to − 18.5‰ vs. AIR. Removal of nitrite from ETNP samples thus revealed differences of up to 5‰ between NO₃^- and NO₂^- + NO₃^- for both δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O. Moreover, the δ¹⁵N offset between co-occurring nitrate and nitrite is greater than expected from the action of denitrification alone and may provide a unique constraint on the processes involved in the cycling of nitrite in and around oxygen deficient zones. Finally, subtraction of the nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O from ETNP samples allows the extension of the Δ(15,18) tracer into suboxic regions containing nitrite. The magnitude and distribution of Δ(15,18) in these samples suggests an important role for nitrite reoxidation in nitrate isotope variations.     

Distribution of alkalinity and dissolved calcium in the Sea of Okhotsk

During the summer seasons of 2002 and 2004, the total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved calcium (Ca) were studied at 41 stations in different areas of the Sea of Okhotsk: the Kuril depression, Deryugin Basin, the slopes of the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island, and in Sakhalin Bay. It was shown that the distributions of the TA and Ca in the water mass of deep sea areas are determined by the processes of CaCO₃ formation and dissolution according to the relation Δ Ca = 0.5 Δ TA (1). The variations of the TA and Ca values observed in the upper 10-m layer and in the near-bottom layers of local depressions in the Deryugin Basin do not satisfy relationship (1). Probable reasons for this discrepancy are considered: organic matter mineralization, mixing of water masses with different preform TA and Ca values, sea ice melting, runoff from land, and sea bottom effects. It is shown that the enrichment in the alkalinity and calcium is caused by the Amur River runoff in the desalinated sea surface layer and by the high geochemical activity in the Deryugin Basin in the near-bottom 200-m layer of local depressions.     

A preliminary study of carbon system in the East China Sea

In the central part of the East China Sea, the activity of CO₂ in the surface water and total carbonate, pH and alkalinity in the water column were determined in winter and autumn of 1993. The activity of CO₂ in the continental shelf water was about 50 ppm lower than that of surface air. This decrease corresponds to the absorption of about 40 gC/m²/yr of atmospheric CO₂ in the coastal zone or 1 GtC/yr in the global continental shelf, if this rate is applicable to entire coastal seas. The normalized total carbonate contents were higher in the water near the coast and near the bottom. This increase toward the bottom may be due to the organic matter deposited on the bottom. This conclusion is supported by the distribution of pH. The normalized alkalinity distribution also showed higher values in the near-coast water, but in the surface water, indicating the supply of bicarbonate from river water. The residence time of the East China Sea water, including the Yellow Sea water, has been calculated to be about 0.8 yr from the excess alkalinity and the alkalinity input. Using this residence time and the excess carbonate, we can estimate that the amount of dissolved carbonate transported from the coastal zone to the oceanic basin is about 70 gC/m²/yr or 2 GtC/yr/area-of-global-continental-shelf. This also means that the rivers transport carbon to the oceans at a rate of 30 gC/m²/yr of the coastal sea or 0.8 GtC/yr/ area-of-global shelf, the carbon consisting of dissolved inorganic carbonate and terrestrial organic carbon decomposed on the continental shelf.     

Nitrate photolysis in seawater by sunlight

The photolysis of nitrate in seawater by sunlight has been re-examined using abiotic seawater and naturally occurring concentrations. Photochemical formation of nitrite from nitrate was observed. First-order nitrate photolysis rate coefficients calculated from nitrite appearance (corrected for concomitant nitrite photolysis) ranged from 0 to 2.3 yr^?1, median 0.7 yr^?1. The coefficients did not correlate well with water chemistry, but decreased with increasing light dose. A first-order rate coefficient of 0.4 yr^?1 was calculated for the primary photochemical process $\text{NO}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{+}\text{h}\text{υ =}\text{NO}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{+ O(}{}^3\text{P)}$ under sea surface equatorial insolation and cloudiness conditions. However, no significant nitrate concentration decreases could be detected, suggesting an upper limit for the net first-order nitrate loss rate coefficient of 0.3 yr^?1. The data thus imply some conversion in the reverse sense: NO₂^? + hυ →→ NO₃^?.If our median rate estimate applies to surface oceanic conditions, nitrate photolysis proceeds at roughly 0.02–0.5% of the rate of N incorporation during primary production. It is thus not a significant NO₃-N sink. Since such reactive species as oxygen atoms, nitrogen dioxide, and hydroxyl radicals are produced, the reaction may have significant consequences in seawater. However, nitrite photolysis is almost certainly a more significant process.The results show internal inconsistencies and our rates are markedly different from those calculated using data from other studies. Nitrate photolysis rates are theoretically concentration- and light dose-dependent. Whether these dependencies explain the apparent discrepancies is unclear, as methodological effects may also be involved. The system requires further study.     

Interstitial water chemistry of the inner continental shelf sediments off the gironde estuary

The interstitial water composition ( , alkalinity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined for the muddy sediments of the continental shelf off the Gironde Estuary (France), in the area where the sediment represents the deposit of the muddy suspension of the river. In comparison with seawater concentrations, the pore waters below 10 cm depth, show depletions of and Ca²⁺ and below a 30 cm depth show depletions of Mg²⁺. Inversely, the upper 10 cm an enrichment of Ca²⁺ concentration, and an increase of K⁺ concentration to a 40 cm depth. High values of are observed at the top 4 cm. Alkalinity enrichment is observed along the length of the core. Applying the alkalinity models for the sediment below a 10 cm depth demonstrates generally that calculated alkalinities are higher than the measured ones. Ca²⁺ dissolution occurs at the first 10 cm and authigenic carbonate precipitation starts beneath that level. Mg²⁺ depletion is accompanied by bicarbonate loss. This proves that Mg²⁺ depletion is due to a Mg-silicate reaction. The result of the CEC does not confirm the Mg²⁺ uptake by clay minerals in exchangeable site, under reducing conditions. Diffusion and bioturbation play an important role in the pore water concentration at the top of the core.     

Time series changes in sea-surface temperature,chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>, nutrients,and sea-wind in the East/Japan Sea on the left- and right-hand sides of typhoon shanshan’s track

Time series changes in sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll a (Chl a), nutrients (PO₄, NO₃), and sea winds, which correlated with the passage of Typhoon Shanshan in the East/Japan Sea (EJS), are illustrated using satellite data for Chl a, SST, sea winds, and in situ data for nutrients and water temperature. The sea-surface cooling (SSC) effect by the passage of the typhoon was higher at stations nearer to the center compared to stations further from the center. The SSC effect at stations in the colder water region (on the left side of the typhoon’s track) was higher than at stations in the Tsushima Warm Current region (on the right side of the typhoon). The SSC effect continued for approximately 10 days after the passage of the typhoon. The Chl a concentration at all stations increased after the passage of the typhoon. This increase continued for a period of approximately 10 days, but the duration period at each station varied with distance from the typhoon center. Changes in Chl concentrations at stations within a 2° distance on both sides from the typhoon’s center were higher than that at other stations. The changes in Chl a by the passage of the typhoon were measured at approximately 0.3–1.0 mg/m³ along the moving path of the typhoon. Phosphate and nitrate changes were inversely correlated with the water temperature changes; the nutrient concentration increased with the passage of the typhoon. Like the changes in SST, changes in nutrient concentrations on the left side of the typhoon’s track were higher compared to those at the center and the right side.     

Temporal variability and characterization of physicochemical properties in the neritic area of Sagami Bay,Japan

Seasonal and interannual variations in physicochemical properties were investigated in the neritic area of Sagami Bay, Kanagawa, Japan, from December 2000 to December 2005. Physicochemical properties (i.e. temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentration) revealed clear seasonal variations, which were similar to each other during all 5 years. Temperature, salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients showed rapid, drastic variations within a few days and/or weeks. These variations are related to sea levels, principally due to the shifting effects of the Kuroshio Current axis: they were strongly affected by the Kuroshio Water and other waters, when sea level difference was greater than ca. 35 cm and lower than ca. 15 cm, respectively. Temperature difference (DF _T ) increased with sea level difference, and the difference of salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients (NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, NH₄ ⁺+NO₃ ⁻+NO₂ ⁻-N, PO₄ ³⁻-P and SiO₂-Si) increased and decreased with DF _T , respectively. All these correlations are significant. Total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and silicate (Si) revealed seasonal variations in the ranges of 0.57–16.08, 0.0070–0.91 and 0.22–46.38 μM, respectively. From the regression equations between these elements allowed the following relation to be obtained; Si:N:P = 14.8:13.4:1. Dissolved inorganic nutrients were characterized by Si and/or P deficiency, especially in the upper layer (0–20 m depth) during summer. Single and/or combined elements are discussed on the basis of potential and stoichiometric nutrient limitations, which could restrict phytoplankton (diatom) growth as a limiting factor.     

Seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics along Line P in the NE subarctic Pacific

We analysed mixed-layer seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton biomass and macronutrient (NO₃ and Si(OH)₄) concentrations from three decades of observations, and nitrogen uptake rates from the 1990s along Line P in the NE subarctic Pacific. Chlorophyll a concentrations near 0.35 mg m⁻³ were observed year-round along Line P except at the nearshore station (P4) where chlorophyll a concentrations in spring were on average 2.4 times the winter values. In contrast, the temporal variability in carbon-to-chlorophyll ratios at the two main end members of Line P (P4 and OSP) was high. Large seasonal and interannual variability in NO₃ and Si(OH)₄ concentration were observed along Line P. Highest upper mixed-layer (top 15 m) nutrient concentrations occurred on the continental shelf in late summer and early fall due to seasonal coastal upwelling. Beyond the shelf, maximum nutrient concentrations increased gradually offshore, and were highest in late winter and early spring due to mixing by winter storms. Interannual variations in upper mixed-layer nutrient concentrations beyond the shelf (>128°W) were correlated with E-W winds and the PDO since 1988 but were not correlated with either climate index between 1973 and 1981. Despite differences in nutrient concentration, nutrient utilization (ΔNO₃ and ΔSi(OH)₄) during the growing season were about 7.5 μM at all offshore stations. Variations in ΔNO₃ were correlated with those of ΔSi(OH)₄. The annual cycle of absolute NO₃ uptake (ρNO₃) and NH₄ uptake (ρNH₄) rates by phytoplankton in the upper mixed-layer showed a weak increasing trend from winter to spring/summer for the period 1992-1997. Rates were more variable at the nearshore station (P4). Rates of ρNO₃ were low along the entire line despite abundant NO₃ and low iron (Fe), at the offshore portion of Line P and sufficient Fe at the nearshore station (P4). As a result, new production contributed on average to only 32 ± 15% of the total nitrogen (N) uptake along Line P. NO₃ utilization in the NE subarctic Pacific is probably controlled by a combination of environmental variables, including Fe, light and ambient NH₄ levels. Elevated ambient NH₄ concentrations seem to decrease the rates of new production (and f-ratios) in surface waters of the oceanic subarctic NE Pacific. Contrary to expectation, phytoplankton biomass, nutrient utilization (ΔNO₃ and ΔSi(OH)₄), and nitrogen uptake (ρNO₃ + ρNH₄) varied relatively little along Line P, despite significant differences in the factors controlling phytoplankton composition assemblages and production. Future studies would benefit from including other variables, especially light limitation, to improve our understanding of the seasonal and interannual variability in phytoplankton biomass and nutrients in this region.     

Nitrogen transformations as inferred from the activities of key enzymes in the Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone

Vertical distributions of the potential activities of some key enzymes mediating nitrification and denitrification were investigated within the oxygen (O₂) minimum zone of the Arabian Sea at a number of locations between latitudes 17°N and 21°N and longitudes 63°E and 68°E so as to get an insight into the predominant biochemical mode(s) of production and consumption of nitrous oxide (N₂O). Results revealed that the dissimilatory nitrate (NO⁻₃) reduction activity was generally very low or absent within the σ_θ range 26.6–26.8, which corresponds to the Persian Gulf Watermass (PGW). Depth profiles of nitrate reductase (NaR), nitrite reductase (NiR) and ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) activities were compared with those of O₂, NO⁻₃, nitrite (NO⁻₂) and N₂O, and it is concluded that nitrifier denitrification rather than heterotrophic denitrification is active within the core of PGW. The presence of multiple peaks of AMO activity coinciding with distinct maxima in the O₂ profile and with a trend opposite to that of NaR activity indicates that the two processes, viz., classical and nitrifier denitrification, occur in discrete layers, probably determined by the variations in the ambient O₂ concentrations at various depths surrounding the PGW core. Further, it appears that at the depths where nitrifier denitrification is active in the absence of heterotrophic denitrification, N₂O builds up as its consumption may be inhibited by O₂. Possible reasons for the occurrence of appreciable nitrate deficit within the core of PGW, where dissimilatory NO⁻₃ reduction is lacking, are discussed.     

The relative importance of buffering and brine inputs in controlling the abundance of Na and Ca in sedimentary formation waters

The concentration of Ca in the formation waters of petroleum reservoirs can play a major role in influencing the outcome of a number of processes that are of great significance to the oil industry. For example, formation water Ca concentration affects the risk of carbonate scale formation during production. In order to better understand the concentrations of Ca in formation waters, we have investigated the chemistries of formation waters from a range of onshore and offshore basins worldwide, using published sources, as well as unpublished data held by BP. Although calcium and sodium are the principal cations in almost all formation waters they vary enormously in their relative proportions. We have identified three distinct trends on a plot of X_Ca (Ca/(Na + Ca)) against Cl. Most data lie on a high-Ca trend, here termed Trend 1, and show an increase in X_Ca with salinity. We interpret this as tracking equilibration with Ca and Na-bearing minerals, with the ratio (mol Ca/mol Na²) remaining approximately constant irrespective of salinity for chloride-dominated fluids. At very high salinities, Br-enriched bittern brines that have taken part in dolomitisation lie at the Cl-rich end of this trend. Some brines remain Na-dominated up to very high salinities and define a distinct low-Ca trend, Trend 2. These are associated with dissolution of halite beds and are interpreted to arise when the amount of Na in the pore fluid greatly exceeds the amount of Ca available in minerals. We refer to such brines as mass-limited; the sparsity of Ca in the rock-fluid system constrains X_Ca to a low value. Remarkably few brines lie between these trends. Finally, dilute formation waters show very large variations in X_Ca and may have bicarbonate as the dominant anion. They define a distinct low-Cl trend, Trend 3. We conclude that the behaviour of Na and Ca in most formation waters reflects equilibration with minerals, and concentrations of Ca in solution are sensitive to pH and P_CO2 as well as to chloride concentration. For some brines however, the amount of salts in solution is sufficient to overwhelm the buffering capacity of the wallrocks.     

西沙大气二氧化碳浓度变化特征研究

CO2是引起全球气候变暖的最重要温室气体。大气中过量CO2被海水吸收后将改变海水中碳酸盐体系的组成,造成海水酸化,危害海洋生态环境。本文采用局部近似回归法对2013年12月—2014年11月期间西沙海洋大气CO2浓度连续监测数据进行筛分,得到西沙大气CO2区域本底浓度。结果表明,西沙大气CO2区域浓度具有明显的日变化和季节变化特征。4个季节西沙大气CO2区域本底浓度日变化均表现为白天低、夜晚高,最高值405.39×10-6(体积比),最低值399.12×10-6(体积比)。西沙大气CO2区域本底浓度季节变化特征表现为春季和冬季高,夏季和秋季低。CO2月平均浓度最高值出现在2013年12月,为406.22×10-6(体积比),最低值出现在2014年9月,为398.68×10-6(体积比)。西沙大气CO2区域本底浓度日变化主要受本区域日照和温度控制。季节变化主要控制因素是南海季风和大气环流,南海尤其是北部海域初级生产力变化和海洋对大气CO2的源/汇调节作用。     

Rates of C,N, P and Si recycling and denitrification at the US Mid-Atlantic continental slope depocenter

Benthic fluxes of O₂, titration alkalinity (TA), total inorganic carbon (TIC), Ca²⁺, NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, PO₄³⁻, and Si(OH)₄ were measured by in situ benthic flux chamber incubations at 13 locations on the North Carolina continental slope. The majority of measurements were made at water depths of approximately 700–850 m, in the previously identified upper slope depocenter. This region is characterized by extremely high organic matter deposition rates and near saturation bottom water oxygen concentrations. Measured benthic fluxes of TA are reasonably correlated with O₂ benthic fluxes. Because bottom waters are supersaturated with respect to calcite and aragonite at these shallow water depths, these results demonstrate the importance of metabolically driven dissolution in this region. Subtraction of the calcium carbonate dissolution contributions from the TIC benthic fluxes suggests rates of organic matter remineralization ranging from 0.97 to 3.9 mol C m⁻² yr⁻¹ at the depocenter sites, a factor of 3–10 greater than estimated for the adjacent continental rise and upper slope areas. Because biological primary production in the overlying waters does not follow this pattern, these extremely high values are most likely supported by lateral inputs of highly reactive organic matter. Mass balance calculations indicate that despite the oxygenated bottom water conditions, 68% of the organic nitrogen released during organic matter remineralization processes is ultimately denitrified. The release of PO₄³⁻ from the depocenter sediments is equivalent to or larger than that predicted from the remineralization of Redfield organic matter. This implies either that PO₄³⁻ is preferentially released in this setting and that the accumulating sediments must be depleted in PO₄³⁻ relative to organic carbon or that another, non-organic, phase is contributing PO₄³⁻ to the system. The molar ratio of the Si benthic flux and organic carbon remineralization rate ranges from 0.30 to 0.86. This is significantly greater than the ratio reported for most pelagic diatoms. Possible reasons for this high ratio include the deposition of benthic diatoms that may have a larger Si : C ratio than pelagic diatoms, the near-bottom lateral input of partially reworked organic matter that may have an elevated Si : C ratio relative to fresh diatoms, preferential loss of carbon in sinking particulates or the release of Si from non-opaline materials.