Latitudinal and seasonal variations in carbon dioxide and oxygen in the northeast Atlantic and the effects on Emiliania huxleyi and other phytoplankton

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Global Biogeochemical Cycles

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95GB01133· OSTI ID:244074

Tyrell, T; Taylor, A H ^[1]

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1. Plymouth Marine Lab. (United Kingdom)

This study was performed to investigate seasonal and latitudinal variations in oceanic carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and oxygen. Physical, chemical, and biological data from several cruise programs were combined to plot three-dimensional interpolated surfaces. The plots derived from the data were similar to plots from a simulation model; the model was then used to illustrate interactions influencing variations in the partial pressure of dissolved, gaseous CO{sub 2}. Model results confirmed that phytoplankton spring blooms significantly impact the CO{sub 2} and oxygen concentrations of the northeast Atlantic Ocean surface. The model indicated that the annual cycle of oceanic CO{sub 2} is a seasonal variation due to temperature which is subsequently dominated by phytoplankton bloom. The distribution of Emiliania hyxleyi bloom in portions of the northeast Atlantic Ocean were not found to be concident with areas of low CO{sub 2}, contrary to the hypothesis that this coccolithophore has a competetive advantage at low CO{sub 2}. 33 refs., 15 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 244074
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Journal Name: Global Biogeochemical Cycles Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 9; ISSN 0886-6236; ISSN GBCYEP
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARBON DIOXIDE
LATITUDE EFFECT
OXYGEN
PARTIAL PRESSURE
PHYTOPLANKTON
SEASONAL VARIATIONS