Segura-Noguera, M. orcid.org/0000-0003-4832-7590, Cruzado, A. and Blasco, D. (2016) The biogeochemistry of nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea). Scientia Marina, 80 (S1). pp. 39-56. ISSN 0214-8358
Abstract
Reference depth profiles of dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a are described for the Catalan Sea using quality controlled data. Phosphate, nitrate and silicate show typical nutrient profiles, with nutriclines at different depths. Maximums of nitrite, dissolved oxygen, and occasionally ammonium, are found within the photic zone, close to the deep chlorophyll maximum. In intermediate waters we found a minimum of dissolved oxygen coincident with maximum concentrations of phosphate and nitrate. Ammonium concentration is unexpectedly high in the mesopelagic zone, where there are still measurable nitrite concentration, and their origin remains unclear. We also identify and describe anomalous data and profiles resulting from eutrophication, Western Mediterranean Deep Water formation, or dense shelf-water cascading. N:P ratio in deep waters is 22.4, which indicates P-limitation relative to the Redfield ratio. However, the N:P ratio above the deep chlorophyll maximum in stratified surface waters is <4 (<8 including ammonium). The depth profiles of key biogeochemical variables described in this study will be a useful reference for future studies in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea): to validate data sampled in this area, to identify anomalous processes, and to study the evolution of the ecosystem following the undergoing global change.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 CSIC. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-by) Spain 3.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/deed.en). |
Keywords: | Dissolved inorganic nutrients; dissolved oxygen; chlorophyll a; stoichiometry; P-limitation; NW Mediterranean Sea; Catalan Sea |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 19 May 2016 11:14 |
Last Modified: | 18 Nov 2016 17:20 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.04309.20A |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3989/scimar.04309.20A |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:99241 |