Seasonal Variation in Nitrate:Phosphate Ratios in the English Channel 1923–1987

Nutrient concentrations measured at station E1 in the English Channel from 1930 to 1987 show a wide range in nitrate:phosphate ratio. A large number of samples, the majority of which were taken in the summer months, have low nitrate:phosphate ratios. Detailed analysis of the time series revealed tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Estuarine, coastal and shelf science coastal and shelf science, 1998-01, Vol.46 (1), p.157-164
Main Authors: Jordan, M.B., Joint, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
English Channel
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Geochemistry
Marine
Marine and continental quaternary
Mineralogy
nitrate:phosphate ratios
phosphate transients
Physical and chemical properties of sea water
Physics of the oceans
Redfield ratio
seasonal variation
Silicates
Surficial geology
Water geochemistry
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Summary:Nutrient concentrations measured at station E1 in the English Channel from 1930 to 1987 show a wide range in nitrate:phosphate ratio. A large number of samples, the majority of which were taken in the summer months, have low nitrate:phosphate ratios. Detailed analysis of the time series revealed that, in a significant number of years, mid-summer values of phosphate increased for short periods of time whilst nitrate concentrations remained low. These transient increases in phosphate concentration occurred both in the surface mixed water and in water below the seasonal thermocline; equivalent transients in nitrate concentration were less common. The changes in nitrate:phosphate ratio are discussed in relation to phytoplankton assimilation and nutrient regeneration.
ISSN:0272-7714
1096-0015
DOI:10.1006/ecss.1997.0263