Ammonium distribution in southern California coastal waters and its role in the growth of phytoplankton

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1979.24.3.0495· OSTI ID:5707858

Eppley, R W; Renger, E H; Harrison, W G; Cullen, J J

The average concentration of ammonium in the euphotic zone of the Southern California Bight was about 0.35 ..mu..g-atom.liter/sup -1/ in 1974 to 1977. Concentrations up to 5 to 20 ..mu..g-atoms.liter/sup -1/ were found in Santa Monica Bay surface and bottom waters. Elsewhere maximum concentrations were 2 to 3 ..mu..g-atoms.liter/sup -1/ at the bottom of the euphotic zone of inshore stations. Ammonium provided an average of 35% of the nitrogen assimilated by the phytoplankton and a much higher proportion in Santa Monica Bay. The rate of ammonium assimilation was modified primarily by the phytoplankton standing stock, and also by ambient concentration of ammonium, temperature, irradiance, and the carbon:chlorophyll a ratio of the phytoplankton. These variables accounted for 52% of the explained variance in three winter cruises and 83% in a summer cruise. Remineralization processes account for most of the ammonium in the bight, while human inputs account for about 10%.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-03-0010
• OSTI ID: 5707858
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 24:3; ISSN LIOCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CALIFORNIA
COASTAL WATERS
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISTRIBUTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
ISOLATED VALUES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SURFACE WATERS
UPTAKE
USA
VARIATIONS
WESTERN REGION