1. Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Stable Isotope Ratios of Particulate Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in the Surface Water of the Kuroshio.
- Author
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Taketoshi Kodama, Atsushi Nishimoto, Sachiko Horii, Daiki Ito, Tamaha Yamaguchi, Kiyotaka Hidaka, Takashi Setou, and Tsuneo Ono
- Subjects
PARTICULATE matter ,MARINE pollution ,STABLE isotopes ,CARBON content of seawater ,NITROGEN content of sewage ,KUROSHIO - Abstract
Seasonal stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen (δ
13 C and δ15 N) in the particulate organic matter (POM) of the euphotic layer were investigated around the Kuroshio from 2008 to 2019 (n = 474). Significant seasonality in POM δ13 C and δ15 N were observed in the coastal and offshore areas divided by the northern edge of the Kuroshio. Seasonal mean δ13 C was highest during the summer (-23.2 ± 1.1‰ and -23.7 ± 1.1‰ in coastal and offshore areas, respectively) and lowest during the winter (-24.6 ± 0.8‰ and -25.0 ± 0.9‰ in coastal and offshore areas, respectively) in both areas. Seasonal mean δ15 N exhibited different spatial variations. The mean δ15 N value in the coastal area was the lowest during the winter (1.0 ± 1.9‰) and increased to a similar level (-3‰) during the other three seasons. In contrast, δ15 N in the offshore area near the surface decreased from the spring (2.5 ± 1.5‰) to the summer (1.2 ± 1.7‰). These spatial and seasonal differences in δ15 N are significant in generalized linear models and the generalized additive models, and suggest that the nitrogen sources used in biological production differ between coastal and offshore areas and between seasons. Nitrate originating in deeper water and rivers is the main sources used for new production throughout the year in the coastal area. Contributions from atmospheric deposition and nitrogen fixation are significant in the offshore area during the summer, while nitrate originating in deeper water is main during winter, spring, and fall in the offshore area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
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