The leading role of ammonium in the nitrogen uptake regime of Southern Ocean marginal ice zones
Goeyens, L.; Dehairs, F.A.; Tréguer, P.; Bauman, E.M.; Baeyens, W.F.J. (1995). The leading role of ammonium in the nitrogen uptake regime of Southern Ocean marginal ice zones. J. Mar. Syst. 6: 345-361
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more
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| Keywords |
Algal blooms
Ammonium compounds
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Biological production > Primary production
Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle > Nutrient cycles > Nitrogen cycle
Ice cover
Water bodies > Oceans > Marginal seas
PS, Antarctic Ocean [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
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- Bauman, E.M.
- Baeyens, W.F.J., more
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| Abstract |
The nitrogen signature of marginal ice zones in the Southern Ocean often departs from the "classical" Antarctic nutrient profiles with high nitrate and low ammonium values in the surface layer. Weddell Sea marginal ice zones e.g. show enhanced nitrate depletions, amounting to similar to 500 mmol N m super(-2). Additionally, ammonium stocks in the upper layer can be up to 7% of the inorganic nitrogen pool. The corresponding nitrogen uptake regime suggests elevated nitrate assimilation during the early phase of the productive season and significantly reduced nitrate assimilation at a later stage. Absolute as well as specific nitrate uptake rates decrease by an order of magnitude when ammonium stocks exceed 1.7% of the total inorganic nitrogen. The variability in nitrogen utilisation reflects physiological changes in the phytoplankton assemblage. In response to increased ammonium stocks phytoplankton show a reduction in their capacity to take up nitrate and following an initial diatom bloom non-siliceous phytoplankton become predominant in a regenerated production regime. |
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